: About Me

At age 11 the writing bug bit me. It all began with writing journal entries. My life as a writer has not stopped since. I began writing articles in the eighth grade for our mini-school newspaper in Junior High school. I was also an Advice Columnist. When I went to High school I was a Reporter, Columnist, Acting Editor-in-Chief and then Editor-in-Chief of our high school newspaper. Early in my life I began writing Letters to the Editor to newspapers, magazines, etc. regarding articles in those publications. The Nashville Tennessean gave my Letter to the Editor regarding nutrition in children Three Stars in 1989. As a high school senior I attended their banquet held for all three star recipients that year. I was honored to sit beside of the Fashion Editor of the newspaper at that time.

Although I also enjoyed Performing Arts activities I decided to major in Print Journalism in college. I earn a Bachelors degree in Print Journalism from Western Kentucky University. While I was an undergraduate I was a Features Reporter for our collegiate newpaper and one of our newsletters. I was a member of Minority Communicators and a student member of NABJ. During my senior year I began to take myself seriously as a poet and entered various poetry competitions which resulted in publications. The first publisher to publish my poems was Illiad Press.

I am a native Phoenician and military brat who has lived throughout the United States. I returned to my native area about thirteen years ago. After I did not find a copywriting job when I first returned I began a career in the Call Center industry. Due to the 9/11 tragedy our company did a massive lay-off closing the center I worked for. This was one of the most liberating things that could have happened to me in a sense. I began an Advertising career shortly after that, and a self publishing career. I currently have four poetry collections, an essay collection and a one-act play available at www.lulu.com/alibelle. I am also an artist and I have some of my early art on that site and at www.zazzle.com (keyword alibelle). I have Pixel t-shirt designs at http://www.pixeltees.com/shop/cactusflower1971. I began using the pen name "alibelle" during 2002. It reflects my multicultural heritage and parts of my birth name.

Currently, I am making the transition from the sales side of Advertising to the Editorial side. I am also moonlighting in the Music Industry. I do motivational speaking and I enjoy inspiring people to live out their dreams. I live in the greater Phoenix area.

• Helium Charter Member