“I am seeking. I am striving. I am in it with all my heart.” -Vincent van Gogh

“This career is my dream. I wanted to draw and tell stories since I was a really little kid. It didn’t seem like a real job that people could have and live off of. I gave up on creativity and left my passion behind to pursue a more realistic career - law. But I found my way back to imagination after a few years stuck behind the sad, grey walls of a cubicle. If there’s anything you take away from this talk today, know that the path toward where you want to be - where you’re supposed to be - isn’t always straight. You’re going to take a lot of detours, miss your turn, and get lost along the way. That’s part of the fun.” -Brooklyn Quintana

Florida-based author Brooklyn Quintana traveled to high schools around the Treasure Coast and talked to the students of the AVID Program (Advancement Via Individual Determination). Brooklyn discussed her career path - from her B.A. in creative writing, to working at law and finance firms, to deciding to take a big risk and pursue her dreams. Students participated in a Q & A with the author after her talk and asked about the day to day life of a professional author, why she decided corporate life wasn’t for her, and how to turn creativity into a profitable business.