Can you tell us the main point of your story?

My story is in this context of a very religious community...where a lot of traditional, societal values or even current, societal values are heightened because it's so extreme… And then, what happens when a girl is growing older or is released into the world and has to define herself and figure out her own morals.

Do you feel you contributed something to other young women?

I hope I offered a story that people can connect with… It's nice to hear that there are themes that people connect to no matter what. But, I do hope that someone who has been through what I have finds solace in it, because it is an experience that feels really isolating, especially since I don't have any friends who have been through what I have… I just hope it reaches someone...even just one girl who was raised in a community like that and chose to leave.