I’m Davena, the co-author of 30+ books with my older brother and the primary author of 10 poetry books. I’m an undergraduate at Princeton University and am devoted to sharing my passion for literature with my readers through my writing.

I fell in love with stories at a young age, which culminated in the completion of my first book at 16. From that point on, I continued to write and, in doing so, took an unconventional path, first to the U.S. Air Force for five years after joining at 17, then to college at Boise State University, from which I later transferred to Princeton University after attending the state school for two years.

While I was a competitive gymnast for eight years in my childhood, I cultivated in the sport the discipline and visualization that would later be critical to picturing literary scenes when I wrote. It is remarkable to reflect that I’d once wanted to be a veterinarian and follow a well-trodden path to a successful career. My journey has taught me that such rigidity and narrow-mindedness in life might just serve to make you lose your way instead of find it.

After all, what is an adventure if you don’t veer off course, feel the wind in your hair, and take a daring turn off the beaten path? You cannot find your passion by following the safe advice of others. I was fortunate to discover my love for literature at a young age, and after co-authoring my first book with my older brother, I have never let it go. Literature is my north star and surest compass—I trust it to guide me at every moment and will do so for the rest of my life.