Sabrina Ricci

I grew up in Southern California, very close to Disneyland. That park has always held a special place in my heart, and I spent a lot of time in high school rediscovering "the magic" as a teenager. The idea that dreams can come true, and that there's a hint of magic in everything has influenced me as both a writer and a person. I like to be playful and intertwine reality with the surreal whenever possible.

But I think my adult life has greatly influenced me as well. I spent a few years on the east coast, where I got used to a faster paced, more aggressive lifestyle. And because of that I think my writing has gotten more concise, and I feel driven to be more prolific.

It's cathartic, and it's empowering. It's also something I feel compelled to do, even if it's only jotting down a few notes that I can craft into something bigger a later day. For me, writing is important because it allows me to record what goes on around me, so that I can remember and so that I can create (hopefully) entertaining and informative stories for others to enjoy.

Recently, I drove across the country when I moved from the east coast to the west coast. In Illinois, we stopped to see Lincoln's house and the Old State Capitol where he worked. While on the tour, I wrote down everything I learned, and everything I saw. As we moved from one room to the next, the tour guide stopped and waited for me.

"Are you writing an article or something?" she asked.

I blushed. "No, it's just for me. I can't stop."