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Missy Kavanaugh, Contributing Writer - photo by S. Schlesman

I've always been creative--just a little off center, metaphorically more than politically. My ability to write has naturally followed. Concepts, words and the impulse to share them is what drives me professionally and personally.

I graduated from the University of Florida's College of Jounalism in 1990 with a bachelor's degree in Public Relations. I minored in Theater. After a brief stint as a copywriter for an arts organization followed by a 20-year Oscar pursuit for Best Actress, I decided to embrace my natural gifts and put away dreams of a stellar performance career.

What those 20 years gave me was some insight, but more curiosity, about human nature; a grudging respect for the creative process; a passion for using arts in education and a love of words and ideas.

I hold a Childhood Development Associate degree and am fascinated by the brain--how it develops from infancy through adulthood. And I love the crafts of both acting and production, and the experience of performance--be it from the stage, screen or audience. I'm interested in using the arts as a teaching tool in the classroom to reach students who may think a little off center. It's always rewarding to watch them grasp a previously elusive curriculum skill through a new avenue.

I've written scripts for stage, screen and television, and hundreds (thousands?) of press releases, PSAs and ad copy. Currently a features writer for a club travel magazine, I enjoy being the eyes, ears, nose, skin and taste buds of the reader, who I hope, after vicariously experiencing something through my words, will pursue the real thing firsthand.

Finally, depression is another topic with which I'm acquainted. I come from a family that battles its symptoms in myriad ways and have worked alongside those fighting the same battle. I'm hoping my experience in depression's trenches and my commitment to researching this topic will help and inspire others who are either fighting their own battles or watching someone else struggle.