I’ve never fit neatly into one box and honestly, I stopped trying a long time ago.

I’m a poet, fantasy writer, educator, and storytelling mentor. One side of my work is rooted in literary craft, folklore, and fiction. The other is built from 17 years of teaching English, coaching writers, and helping students learn how to communicate clearly, powerfully, and with intention.

To me, those worlds were never separate. Storytelling exists everywhere: in novels, in essays, in family history, in the stories we tell ourselves about who we’re allowed to become.

As a first-generation Portuguese writer, I grew up surrounded by oral storytelling, strong personalities, layered histories, and the quiet pressure to choose a “practical” path. Instead, I spent six years in college studying language, literature, and education while building a life centered around words. Now, my work lives at the intersection of literary storytelling and writing mentorship.

Some people come here for fantasy worlds, poetry, and folklore-inspired fiction. Others come for writing support, workshops, and guidance through the messy middle of learning how to write well. Most end up discovering those things are connected.

Because writing isn’t just a skill. It’s identity. Voice. Memory. Survival. Imagination. And sometimes, it’s the first place we finally allow ourselves to take up space.