Angel Quintanilla

I was born and raised in Irving, Texas, a city just outside of Dallas. As the youngest of two and the only boy, I grew up with a strong sense of individuality instilled by my mother and a foundation of structure encouraged by my father. Although I never knew my parents as a couple, I never felt I came from a broken home. My sister, who remains a significant influence in my life, has always been someone I admire deeply.

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From a young age, I found solace in the world of books. They were my refuge when I felt alone, scared, or confused, sparking my imagination to believe in magical treehouses and giants named Bill. Despite this, I never considered writing as a potential career path. After high school, I pursued studies in Psychology and Criminology, yet writing always called me back. It was through writing that I found a sense of completeness.

 

Post-college, I wrote and published a short story titled "Spirit Tree" and then embarked on my first novel, "Karma's Assistant." There is nothing quite like seeing your name on something you’ve admired for so long—books.

 

However, I hit a creative block for a time, which forced me to look inward. The writer in me wouldn't allow me to move forward until I shared my childhood experiences with the world. This led to the creation of "Before I was Legal," a story that allowed me to confront and release the trauma I had carried with me. It’s a story I believe can help others in similar situations.

 

Now, with my focus solely on the future, I've made the decision to fully commit to writing as my career.