Even though I was a reluctant reader in junior high and high school, I found myself writing poems in the back of class.

I used to be so angry about the kids that had stuff. Like the kids that had cars, the kids that had money to go get lunch every day off campus. I used to feel so slighted.

I think the world sort of looks to the kids who have potential. These are the kids who are going to do something with their lives, who are going to do something for the world. I don't think it's malicious, but the other kids get lost from that point on.

I've always wanted to write about the other side of the tracks, the have-nots, maybe because that's who I was.

I guess I'm a very keen observer, and I'd like to think I have a good imagination.

Every artist has different priorities. Some artists I know don't make as much music as they used to, because social media has taken over their lives. I work at what I feel is a very normal pace, and things keep clicking. It's rewarding.

It's a great thing if you're a creative person and have some kind of acting or dance or singing, any art. I think it's great to be around people who support that and who are into it like you are, and you can have one big family and teachers who know what they're doing.

What drives me is to still feel creative and like I'm pushing myself as an artist.