10 Things You Probably Don't Know About Me

As writers, we spend a lot of time talking about our characters.

Our stories.

Our books.

But every now and then, it's fun to step out from behind the keyboard and share a few things about the person writing them.

So here are ten things you probably don't know about me.

1. I Never Wanted Kids

I know that's probably not the way most people expect this list to start, but it's true.

Growing up, I never imagined myself becoming a mother. It simply wasn't part of the life I pictured for myself.

Today, I'm a mom to four children.

And I genuinely cannot imagine my life any other way.

They challenge me, exhaust me, inspire me, and make me laugh every single day. While motherhood wasn't part of my original plan, it's become one of the greatest blessings of my life.

2. I Wanted to Be a CSI

Long before I wanted to write books, I wanted to solve crimes.

I was fascinated by investigations, evidence, and the process of putting pieces together to uncover the truth.

Looking back, I suppose writing isn't all that different.

Both involve asking questions. Following clues. And figuring out how all the pieces fit together.

3. I Owned a Transparent Purple Pager

If this fact immediately made you feel old, I apologize.

Actually, no I don't.

I proudly owned a transparent purple pager. At the time, it was the coolest thing I had ever seen.

4. I Carried Change for Payphones

Yes.

Actual payphones.

As in the giant public phones attached to walls that required quarters.

The younger generation may need to consult Google for this one.

5. I Went to High School With My Husband

This one always surprises people.

My husband and I knew each other in high school.

The twist?

I wasn't allowed to like him. Or talk to him.

Life clearly had other plans.

6. We Never Officially Became Boyfriend and Girlfriend

There was never a big moment.

No dramatic question.

No formal conversation.

My husband never actually asked me to be his girlfriend.

We started spending time together. Then we kept spending time together.

And eventually life simply happened.

Years later, here we are.

7. I Was Always the Kid Reading While Walking

If there was a book in my hand, I was reading it.

Didn't matter where I was going.

Didn't matter what I was supposed to be doing.

There's a very good chance I was walking somewhere with my nose buried in a book.

Looking back, it's probably a miracle I never walked into a wall.

8. A Teacher Saw the Writer Before I Did

One summer in middle school, my English teacher encouraged me to attend a writers camp.

At the time, I didn't think much of it.

What I didn't realize was that he saw something in me long before I ever considered becoming an author.

It's funny how sometimes other people recognize our passions before we do.

Years later, I still think about that.

9. My Childhood Nickname Was Mouse

My dad gave me the nickname Mouse because I would tiptoe around the house so quietly.

According to him, I moved like a little mouse sneaking from room to room.

The nickname stuck.

In fact, it stuck enough that I eventually got a mouse tattoo on my left lower hip.

Some childhood memories never really leave us.

10. Briana Michelle Isn't My Full Name

My author name is actually my first and middle name.

Simple.

Easy to remember.

And a little piece of me that felt right to put on the cover of a book.

So before the books, the playlists, the story ideas, and the endless research rabbit holes, I was a girl carrying quarters for payphones, reading while walking, and attending a writers camp because a teacher believed in me before I believed in myself.

And honestly?

I think she's probably pretty happy with how things turned out.