As a child, I wrote because in story I didn’t have to be silent. I could be who I was and could shut out the voices that said girls don’t behave that way, they don’t do those things. They don’t shout or climb trees or speak truths.

I write today because on the page I can shut out the voices that say that women don’t behave that way, don’t do those things. They don’t shout or climb trees or speak truths.

I write because I won’t be silenced. Not anymore.