About Me

The basics

My name is Brenna and I am a writer. This blog is all about my journey from part-time writer to full-time author. My posts include tips, advice and hopefully entertaining stories about my life and hardships and (eventually) my successes. 

Before I was a writer, I was a reader. I had books read to me when I was a little girl, and I haven't been able to get enough since. I read anything and everything that piques my interest: from speculative fiction to romance to memoirs. I mainly read YA these days, but I've been known to sneak in a few classics, adult contemporary and memoirs now and again. It just depends on what sounds interesting at the time.

As for writing, I started when I was 11 or 12 with my first novel after a failed attempt at writing a thriller screenplay. Since then, I've competed in NaNoWriMo since 2006 and won all but 2009, and I was an ML for one year in 2010. I've started several novels, finished a few and am somewhere in the middle on the rest.

Other history:

I grew up in Billings, Montana, with an older brother.

I went to the University of Montana and received two degrees: one in journalism, with an emphasis in print, and one in English, with emphases in creative writing and literature. I graduated May of 2010.

I have been a reporter, a copy editor and a designer in states such as Wyoming, Arizona and Montana. I am currently a copy editor/designer at the Helena Independent Record in Helena, Montana. I live alone, although hopefully one day will have a furry companion, and commute on the weekends to visit my boyfriend who lives an hour away.

Reviews?

I sometimes review books. I review anything, but I am always completely honest in my reviews. I will never be paid to write anything about a book. If you want me to review something, send me an email at brenna(dot)braaten(at)gmail(dot)com with "Review request" as the subject line.

Questions?

If you have any questions about me not answered in this post, you're welcome to ask in the comments at any time. I always reply. :)