I think the things that drives me the most is the "need" to see more diversity represented in books and media. Growing up in a very multicultural background(I'm a black latina from miami, Fl)i often found myself surrounded by a collage of different people. I wondered why my world didn't match what i saw on tv. As an American, I think we're conditioned to accept media's opinion on what's beautiful, what's standard and what we should find as acceptable behavior. But as i started getting older I realized that there's a whole 'nother world out there that i would like to see and explore, and i thought that maybe, just maybe i could accomplish what i want to see by just writing what i want to see. I wouldn't say I have major influences other than walking outside and encountering other people. I don't think i want to follow someone elses' career and hope to achieve what i may never be able to accomplish. But i will say that I admire people, not specific people, just people. Different people are my inspiration and I'd like to see more media that reflects the world we live in rather than just a concentrated few.