Meet Alyse...

Writing has been an integral part of my life. I always knew I wanted to write a book; in fact, I tried many times to sit down and write fictional stories with fictional characters. But it was when my life truly unraveled, without my consent, that I sat down and used writing as a way to get the stories out of my mind, off my chest, and relieve the tension and grief from my shoulders and heart.

Memoir became a love language.

I published my first memoir in 2019, after spending nearly seven years writing down my memories following my mother’s passing in 2012. Her death was one of many in a succession that shattered my heart. The three women who raised me—all gone—and all I wanted was to make sense of their deaths and how I was feeling. My emotions were everywhere.

It’s safe to say I haven’t healed, but I have learned how to cope and survive. Finally, I have even begun to thrive.

After an ugly divorce from my first husband of fifteen years, I restructured my entire life. I have a new career, a new home, and a beautiful blended family that centers me, supports me, and loves me in ways I’ve never experienced before.

I have spent years struggling, but I finally understand what it means to have support. Writing continues to be one of the biggest ways I support myself and make sense of my world.

Although I may branch out and try fiction again someday, writing memoir has become how I connect with the world around me. Sharing vulnerabilities and allowing others to connect and let stories resonate is such a powerful experience. I truly believe that if we are ever to get back to our roots and begin to heal as a species, we need to use our voices to share our stories.

Now, not only do I want to create space for myself to do so, but I want to create a space for others to share their stories—stories that matter—because YOU matter.

Outside of being a writer, I’m a Medical Assistant at an OB/GYN clinic, working with women at all stages of life, pregnancy, and motherhood. I adore my new career in this field and feel so lucky that I’ve landed here.

I’ve also collected many hobbies in my life, both out of the need to find purpose in my existence and to distract my mind from the depression and anxiety that seep in with big life changes and grief. They include, but are not limited to, reading, writing, photography, painting, baking, sewing, knitting, hiking, paddle boarding, yoga, meditation, and running. I don’t do them all at once, and I take long breaks here and there, leaning on what feels good in the moment when I know I need distraction. My hobbies have been another tremendous support in my life as I’ve learned more about myself along the way. I love learning new things, and I know it won’t end here.

My daily simple joys include way too much coffee and tea, playing with my dogs, and heading to the beach as often as possible.

Although I grew up in Utah, I now share a home with my husband and our blended family in Oregon. I view Utah as “home” in the same way romance novels and Hallmark movies romanticize where you come from. I view Oregon as “home” in the sense that this was where I was always meant to land—this is where I belong, and this is where I’ll raise my family.

In my writing, you’ll hear me talk about both of my homes because they both matter to me in different ways.

This is me in a nutshell. I consider myself an artist, and I love a strong cup of coffee any time of day. I wear my emotions on my sleeve and advocate through storytelling because I feel everything so strongly. I am very much a dog person, and if I could, I would live the rest of my life on the front porch of a little cottage overlooking the ocean and reminiscing about what came to pass and dreaming of what is yet to be.

This is me.