Reading is a prominent part of Elyssa’s life. She always had a book in hand: between classes or before bed. She was very fascinated with how people created actual books, the writing part of them. Throughout elementary school, the library was her safe zone. When Elyssa went to middle school, her life turned for the worse. Her father gave her valuable advice when she reached the 8th grade. He told her to find a way to vent her trauma and pain. Elyssa began to analyze the things that she enjoyed in her life. In her 8th grade English Language Arts class, her teacher began to have the class write in a journal based on prompts and questions provided every day. After about a month of that class, Elyssa began to express interest in writing and the class itself. That year, she began filling journals as quickly as she started them. Towards the end of the class, the teacher taught the class about different forms of poetry, and Elyssa fell in love with it as well.

The love of writing drove her to join a Writer’s Workshop class in her first year of high school. The teacher of the class also required students to write in journals daily. Elyssa adored the class and wrote entries with passion. The teacher told Elyssa, “You have a gift.” Ever since that statement drifted into Elyssa’s ears, writing grew into more than just a hobby of hers. During her time at her school, Elyssa entered three writing contests. She won two out of three. This thrilled Elyssa and made her believe the teacher's words. Ever since the last contest she won, Elyssa began writing nonstop.