Hi there! I’m Madeline—storyteller, dreamer, and professional notebook hoarder. I've always had a story running through my head, but I officially started writing at fourteen when the world went into lockdown in 2020. Amid the chaos and isolation, I found solace in the characters and worlds I created, and it quickly became my mission to make my stories a place of comfort and connection for others.

Currently, I'm a Creative Writing major at college in central Florida, where I live with my Golden Retriever, Mr. Bingley, and two cats, Rosalina and Luna Lovegood (can you tell I love stories?). While I work as a digital marketer to support myself, you’ll likely find me in my free time walking along the East Coast beaches, hunting for sea glass, or sipping a matcha latte at a local coffee shop, plotting my next story.

From a young age, I’ve always been creatively inclined (just ask my math teacher who had to grade more doodles than equations).While I didn’t always know exactly where life was leading, I did know one thing: I wanted to share the worlds and characters in my head with others, hoping they’d feel the same connection and joy that writing brings me. (And I definitely wanted to avoid an office job. Spoiler alert: here I am, in one anyway.)

When I'm not writing, I’m all about the arts, such as creating various forms of art (stay tuned for my upcoming print shop!) Though I’ve never been into sports, I’ve always been captivated by the fluidity of dance and the release in weightlifting.

I’ve also got a soft spot for rescuing furry critters. So, if you see me with a new animal friend, you’ll know it’s just another chapter of my life story in the making! (AND they’ll probably end up in one of my stories somehow).

How It All Began

If I’m being totally honest, it all started in early 2020 when I had written a Harry Potter fanfiction.

I finally admit the truth.

I had just finished the series, and my mind was brimming with characters, scenarios and plots. It was the first story I had ever put to paper, before that I had hated writing things down.

At some point I had told my grandparents what I was writing, and my grandfather asked me a very sincere, genuine question:

“Why not write your own story?”

It really struck me.

Why didn’t I?

For starters I had no idea where to begin. So, I did what I knew how to do best: daydream.

I listened to music that sparked scenarios and read anything and everything I possibly could.

And somehow, the seeds, the idea just landed in place.

First a boy, lost in life, who found a magical chest to which transported him into another fantastical world, and then a girl, who was half-human, half robot, thoroughly indecipherable.

I didn’t know who they were at the time or how far their story would go. Least of all, I didn’t know how much of an impact they would have on my life.

In shaping my characters, they helped shape me.

For a little while I would write off and on, adding a random idea here, new character there, but I could never seem to find the time to just sit and write a full story—

That is, until COVID-19 hit, and life came to a sudden halt.

Suddenly I found myself stuck at home with no more social outings, no more outside activities, and a whole lot of free time. So, I decided to get serious about it. I deleted all of my socials (except of course my lovely muse, Pinterest) and holed myself away for hours. Writing, reading, writing, from the moment I woke up to the moment I went to bed. And before I knew it, a whole summer had passed, leaving me with 650 pages of a raw first draft for my first book.

It wasn’t amazing, but it was finished.

I never would have been able to do it without the feedback of my mom and little brother, who faithfully listened every afternoon to my new material.

After that life began to pick up in pace again. I learned more about writing and started to hone my craft.

I built on my story, adding lore and plot twists, filling in gaps and starting new leads, said goodbye to some things and welcomed better ones.

Five years later and it finally all came together.

A lot was coming together.

The first, second, and most of the third book in the Forgotten Chest Trilogy had their rough drafts completed. The polishing work began on the first book, research for publishing sources started, and suddenly what seemed like a faraway dream was slowly becoming reality.

Several other books in the genres of fantasy, romance, historical fiction, and poetry are now underway, and other creative projects I hope to share soon!

The journey here has been a long one, and most definitely not an easy one.

Admittedly, there are many times I considered giving up altogether—

Had it not been for my cheer team.

My little brother who faithfully listened to me read, and who was the main reason ‘Bobren’ became such a key part of my story.

My friends who encourage me daily, never failing to hype me up or listen to some crazy idea or grievance.

My dad whose entrepreneurial success has always inspired me to take a leap of faith in what I love and work hard to achieve it.

And most importantly, my mom; my inspiration, biggest fan, best critic, most loyal listener, and the one who always told me to pursue my dreams.

I owe them the biggest thanks, and so, so much more.

And now I owe that same gratitude to you, reader.

Without you taking a chance on my stories I could never be where I am today.

With that, I thank you, and hope that you could find the same joy I do getting lost in the emotions, joy, love, and laughter of another world.

Happy adventuring, happy dreaming.

Until we meet again (on paper) :)

Madeline Vera