Stars Beneath the Sea

Beneath the rolling tides of Florida’s coastal waters, scattered like celestial bodies in the sand, lie the sea stars—more commonly known as starfish. Despite their name, they aren’t fish at all but echinoderms, close relatives of sea urchins and sand dollars. With their slow, deliberate movements and striking symmetry, sea stars have captivated seafarers and … Read more

Lost History of Florida’s Shipwrecks

The waters surrounding Florida have long been known as a graveyard for ships. From Spanish galleons loaded with treasure to forgotten merchant vessels swallowed by storms, the ocean holds stories of adventure, tragedy, and mystery—many still waiting to be discovered. As a writer, I can’t help but be drawn to these lost histories, imagining the … Read more

Last Stork of the Americas

The wood stork (Mycteria americana) is a bird that feels like it belongs to another time. It moves through the wetlands with a slow, deliberate grace, its wide wings cutting across the sky like a shadow of something ancient. Its face—bare, weathered, almost prehistoric—lacks the smooth elegance of a heron or the vivid colors of … Read more

Exciting News!

I’m thrilled to share that my short story, What They Had Taken, has been shortlisted in the Reedsy Prompts writing contest! While I didn’t take home the grand prize, making the shortlist is an honor. Each week, Reedsy receives hundreds of submissions, and only a select few are recognized. Seeing my story among them is … Read more

Florida’s Elusive Wildcat

In the quiet corners of Florida’s forests, wetlands, and even suburban fringes, a silent predator moves with effortless grace. The bobcat (Lynx rufus floridanus), named for its distinctive short “bobbed” tail, is one of Florida’s most elusive and fascinating wild cats. Though rarely seen, these adaptable felines play a vital role in maintaining the balance … Read more

The Silent Fisher

A striking silhouette along Florida’s waterways, the Great Blue Heron is both graceful and elusive. These majestic wading birds have an air of patience and mystery, making them a fascinating subject for nature lovers. Watching a heron hunt is like witnessing a master at work—standing motionless for long periods before striking with lightning-fast precision. With … Read more

Cold-Blooded and Clever

Florida’s alligators have been around for millions of years—prehistoric survivors that have witnessed the world change around them. Whether you’re hiking near a freshwater pond, canoeing through a slow-moving river, or walking your dog near a lake, there’s always a chance of spotting one of these ancient reptiles basking in the sun. While they may … Read more

Mastering Suspense

Suspense is an art—one that grips readers, makes them hold their breath, and keeps them turning pages long after they meant to stop. It’s also an art I’m still perfecting. Recently, I entered my short story No Return into the Reedsy Writing Prompts contest, where the challenge was: “Your character is getting changed in the … Read more

Florida’s Tidal Forest Guardians

Florida’s coastline is home to one of nature’s most resilient ecosystems—mangroves. These salt-tolerant trees thrive in the brackish waters of estuaries, providing shelter for marine life, stabilizing shorelines, and even serving as Florida’s first line of defense against hurricanes. But did you know Florida has three distinct types of mangroves? Each has unique characteristics that … Read more

The Ancient Ones

On the shores of Florida, where the waves slip in and out with the patience of something that has always been and will always be, the ancient ones still crawl. Their armored bodies glisten in the tide, their long, spined tails tracing patterns in the sand. To some, they look alien—strange relics of another world. … Read more