Kaya Simcoe

If I had a time machine, I’d transport myself back to when I was thirteen years old. I’d want to see the moment that wide-eyed girl set down her well-worn Keeper of the Lost Cities book, turned down Taylor Swift (only for a minute, of course!), and declared to her mom, “I want to be a Brave Writer coach one day.” I’d smile and, like I was presenting the most delicious gluten-free double-layer chocolate cake in the world, say, “Guess what?” (I might also advise her to skip the disastrous bangs era sophomore year of high school...but I digress!)

Just like the scatter of freckles across my nose and the way I can’t pronounce the word “specific,” my love of words is simply a part of who I am. As a child, I feasted on any opportunity I had to write, whether that be in my heavily-scribbled-across journals, the stack of poetry that steadily grew next to my bed, or my high school’s newspaper. Writing became as integral to me as breathing.

I was fortunate enough to spend my early elementary years being homeschooled in a small group of kind and creative families. We spent our days exploring local farms, painting with watercolors under the warm sun, reading way past our bedtimes, and— yes, taking Brave Writer classes!

I am currently an Elementary Education major with a concentration in English at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. I love long walks on the beach with a hot chai in hand, spending time laughing with my friends until our mascara runs down our faces, and debating whether or not cereal is technically a soup (hint: it is! And I may or may not have written a research paper about this). I am also a huge Swiftie and think that Fearless might be the best album ever written.

I cannot wait to connect over one of the most precious things in my life: words, and their power to cut deep, reflect inward, inspire, and ignite curiosity, kindness, and compassion. With a full heart, I am so looking forward to meeting all of you Brave Writers!