About Jen
I have enjoyed writing my entire life. Ever since I first learned the alphabet, I've been writing and making up my own stories. English quickly became my favorite subject in school, and in third grade, I wrote and published my own picture book called Benny The Runt Banana. In seventh grade, I decided to try to write poetry, and although it was difficult, I immediately loved it. After being paralyzed by a neurological disease called Transverse Myelitis just before eighth grade, I was afraid that my years of writing were over. But I regained my left hand almost completely and taught myself to write with it, even though my right was originally my dominant hand. In July of 2013 I finished writing and publishing a book called 5k, Ballet, and a Spinal Cord Injury with my friend Sarah Todd Hammer, which is about our journeys with TM. This was followed by a sequel entitled Determination in August 2016.
Over the years, I have written many different stories and poems, and in 2013 I decided to create this website to keep and showcase my best work. I hope you enjoy my work!! :)
- Jennifer Starzec
Over the years, I have written many different stories and poems, and in 2013 I decided to create this website to keep and showcase my best work. I hope you enjoy my work!! :)
- Jennifer Starzec
Favorite Color:
- Purple
Hobbies:
- Writing
- Singing
- Running (can't do it anymore, but I love it too much to not include it here)
- Swimming
Fun Facts:
- I got TM on August 16th, 2011, when I was 13 years old.
- I'm the oldest of 6 kids.
- My favorite musicals are Les Miserables and Hamilton.
- My favorite straight-show (non-musical play) is And They Danced Real Slow in Jackson.
- If I could play any onstage role, I would want to be Javert from Les Mis, Aaron Burr from Hamilton, or Eliza from Hamilton.
Favorite TV Shows:
- Grey's Anatomy
- Stranger Things
- Once Upon a Time
- Criminal Minds
- House, MD
- Lie to Me
Favorite Books:
- The Harry Potter series by JK Rowling
- Especially The Prisoner of Azkaban and The Half-Blood Prince
- In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez
- A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini
- Hamlet by William Shakespeare
- The Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay
- Les Miserables by Victor Hugo
Favorite Songs:
- "Stars" from Les Miserables
- "Wait For It" from Hamilton
- "Satisfied" from Hamilton
- "Blackout" from In the Heights
- "Music of the Night" from Phantom of the Opera
- "Falling Slowly" from Once
- "How To Save a Life" by The Fray
- "Heart on Fire" by Lennon & Maisy Stella
Favorite Movies:
- Les Miserables
- The Harry Potter movies
- I don't really watch movies so that's about it. I pretty much just watch Les Mis over and over again.
Favorite Foods:
- Sushi
- Chilaquiles [verdes]
- Sopes
- Yellow Curry
- Fasolakia (Greek green bean dish)
- Salty stuff like fries, chips, olives, pickles, etc.
- And so many more, honestly...
Favorite Candies:
- York Peppermint Patties
- Reese's Peanut Butter Cups
- Chocolate in general....