Archive of Letters and Voices • candice iloh

April 28, 2026

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“It Started with Goosebumps, Butterflies, and Breathing“

Dear Friend,

Do you know how I became a writer? It began with feelings.

Yes, those things that bubble in your belly and swarm around your heart, even when–especially when–no one else knows. My first story came from being a person living in this world and having my own feelings about what it is like. Do you have feelings about what you remember? Does something tighten or flutter inside your chest when things happen around you? Do you sometimes lay in bed at night, wondering about what it would be like to tell someone else or to make something that helps others feel and think about those things too?

Have you ever wanted to make people see things?

Maybe there are days you feel like there is no one else who understands what’s going on in your head but you would like them to. Maybe talking doesn’t quite seem like it’s enough. Maybe a chill goes up your spine when you imagine the possibility of making it all up and what you made causes an action. Someone laughs, someone screams, someone cries, someone gets curious about you, wants to know more about the things you like.

Have you ever wanted to watch the sounds in your head grow outside of your body?

Maybe you want to tell someone what it is like to live inside your skin, have them listen and believe. Maybe you want to correct something the world has gotten wrong. Maybe you get goosebumps along your arms when you imagine making something up, altogether. Something else. Friend, do you know about your own feelings? Do you let them breathe?

Have you ever wanted to cast a spell or use your pencil to change the ending? Has a book ever made you want to try and create your own?

Me, too.

With Big Love,

candice iloh