Mellenee Miller Carpenter

Born: November 29, 1977 in Fort Worth, TX. I was birthed by a piano-loving, Seth A. Miller III, and a beautiful soprano, Myrtle Miller.

Grew Up: Forest Hill, TX, in a neighborhood with friendly neighbors. I was a tomboy raised by an independent woman, Erma Lee Flournoy, my grandmother.

Learned: From great loss at an early age that you should never lose your voice, that you should always express your pain, your truths, and triumphs.

Found: Myself when I realized I have to trust myself, and believe in myself. I have to be who I am without apologizing for it and caring what people think about me.

In school: I was an AB student, typically. I started off in private school and begged to go to public school in the 5th grade. I quickly learned the harsh differences but I wouldn’t take it back. My public school experience gave me edges, rounded me out.

Started writing: From a young age, so I’m told, but I clearly remember writing or it started having meaning for me when I was 12 years old. I kept diaries and I poured my soul into them. I began writing poetry around 17 years old. Poetry is my first love but I am challenging myself with novel and script writing.

Published: My first collection of poems was published in 2006 by Publish America. All of my other books and collections have been self-published using Kindle Direct Publishing and CreateSpace.

Graduated: O.D. Wyatt High School in 1995. I went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in English from Dillard University in 1999. Since then, I’ve earned two master’s degrees, one in humanities and the other in creative writing.

Children: Had my first child, Israel when I was 25. My lovely daughter, Kai, came a surprising eight years later.

Purpose: To speak truth in love and inspire others to be their authentic selves.