I grew up with journalism.  I remember sitting on my granddad's lap as a little kid and working on the daily Jumble in the newspaper, loving the way the pages felt and the ink they left behind on my fingers.  I read everything I could get my hands on, and when I got the chance to try writing for myself, I knew I never wanted to stop.

(Thanks to my caffeine addiction, I usually don't have to!)

I was born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago, but I'm currently a journalism major at Belmont University in Nashville, and I love it, although some of my classmates from around here think I talk too fast.

I love my family, my friends, my adorably hyperactive puppy, reading, writing, God, triple shot lattes, The West Wing, oceans, sunrises, politics, Gilmore Girls, Benefit makeup, my name, my digital voice recorder, high heels, spelling, encouraging people and being encouraged, learning, being early, the Spanish language, my personal coffee brewer, all Audrey Hepburn movies and life in general...not necessarily in that order.

If there's something else  you want to know, ask away!  (Check out my online portfolio for more of my stories!)

-Tara René-