S.L.WELSH

• I write supernaturally spiked tales crafted upon realistic foundations to immerse you in a feast of sensory details that bridge the gap between fantasy and reality using unexpected literary techniques. 

• My compelling, lyrical, and poetically inspired writing style features female protagonists dancing wildly into the unknown on quests of empowerment to break ancient cycles of dysfunction. 

• I prefer the beginning of my protagonist's journey to begin the way most warrior women historically began - oppressed, challenging conventional norms, and fighting for freedom. 

• My science fiction, fantasy, poetic works, children's books, screenplays, and nonfiction are inspired by life experiences, influential people in my life, and the haunting natural landscape of the Appalachian Mountains in south-central Pennsylvania. 

• Speech came early for me. According to my mother, I  began talking at seven months. But around four I lost my ability to speak after witnessing a traumatic event. For over a year I used a pencil and paper to communicate. 

• After regaining my speech in kindergarten - due to a very patient teacher Ms. Brown -  I still preferred to write. It had become my voice. It was safe. Unlike childhood. Blank paper begged me for secrets, thoughts, and stories. Sadness vanished with the swoosh of a pen.

• At eight years old, I unwrapped a blue Smith Corona typewriter at Christmas. But it was soooo noisy. So, not wanting to get in trouble, I took it into the attic where no one could hear the clacking sound of my wild imagination being unleashed upon clean white paper. It was at that moment I knew I was a writer. 

• By the age of fifteen I had witnessed and endured enough abuse to last a lifetime. But my spirit, optimism, resilience, and rebellious personality inspired became the keys to unlocking the doors to my childhood home. I broke free to dance down my own path. I ran away.

• Good things happened. Horrible things happened. Through it all I learned. I remembered the lessons. Forgot the teachers. I grew stronger and became independent. Finally, I graduated from high school unlike most of the pretty women in my family.  I was not under anyone's thumb.

• But, I did have something in common with them. I worked hard and paid my own way. I felt and survived heartbreak, trauma, depression, and learned from the school of hard knocks. But, I kept going - despite naysayers. I wanted a better life. I wanted to inspire them to have better lives, too. But most importantly, I kept writing.

• I used to think I was a real survivor by the time I said goodbye to my formative years, but single motherhood, grief, divorce, and giving up everything to escape a violent abuser awaited me. 

• But I survived that too. Not without physical or emotional scars though. Again, I gathered my strength, courage, and experience to rebel against surrender. Eventually I broke the generational cycle of abuse and oppression so prevalent in my family. I worked, worked, studied, and read parenting books to become an empowered and educated mother for my two daughters.

• Currently, I have an AA in Mass Communications, a BA (summa cum laude) in Mass Communications and Professional Writing, a teaching certificate, and am finishing up my MFA in Creative Writing to become an online professor of creative writing courses. 

• In addition I am developing a twelve step writing program for female trauma survivors and teen runaways. I am planning to offer specialized developmental editing services for poets and writers in the Science Ficition & Fantasy genre after I wrangle my 30,000 writing projects into publication.  

• Thankfully, I graduated to using a computer years ago but still love the sound of a manual typewriter. Today, I have one absolutely amazing grandson but am waiting for more. And yes...I am still writing. 

• I am so thankful you chose to visit my author hub. Your support inspires me to keep sharing and writing. It truly is an honor to share my journey and peculiar imagination with you! I only hope you find inspiration, empowerment, and enjoyment, in return.

• My favorite part of this site is getting to know more about you all through my weekly interactive blog, Riddle Creek Chronicles. Here you will find personal updates, events, and new releases.

• Don't forget to follow me on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instragam, and YouTube. Sometimes I post things there that I don't post here! I am a creative scatterbrained type with a million projects underway :)

"Believe in yourself. No one knows you better." — S.L. Welsh