Alyssa Murray is turning her passion for writing and psychology into a powerful debut novel.
A third-year student at UCLA, Alyssa started her journey as a writer in her freshman year. After much hard work, she published her novel, “The A-Word,” earlier this year. The book tells the story of Iris Amare, a college activist grappling with anorexia. Through Iris’s journey, Alyssa explores themes of mental health, daily challenges, and the stigma surrounding these issues. Personally, Alyssa faced tough times, feeling isolated and grappling with unhealthy coping methods. Writing became her refuge.
“Writing the first draft helped me understand my feelings and realize there was still hope for me,” Alyssa shared. “Even during my struggles, I had a way to express myself.”
Alyssa’s knowledge of psychology deeply influences her storytelling. She loves diving into the science of emotions and how people express them. This background helps her create relatable characters. During her freshman year, she took a unique course called “Brain, Body, Mind and Society,” which sparked her interest in writing about mental health. “Learning is my biggest passion,” she said. “I’m always eager to discover something new.”
After completing her first draft, Alyssa sought feedback from beta readers. Sharing such personal experiences opened her up to vulnerability. She admitted that criticism felt personal at first, but she has learned to embrace feedback as a way to improve her craft.
Marta M. Mobley, Alyssa’s mentor, highlighted the importance of this vulnerability in writing. “She has high standards for her work, and the editing process is challenging. But Alyssa recognizes the value of constructive criticism,” Mobley noted. “It takes great courage to create and share one’s work.”
Mobley also praised Alyssa’s dedication. While many shy away from hard work, Alyssa approaches her writing with enthusiasm. Mobley, a seasoned book editor, pointed out that Alyssa’s writing skill is impressive for someone so early in her career. “Few aspiring writers actually finish a book, but she did,” Mobley said.
Alyssa has forged connections in her creative writing community, making friends like Katerina Bonderud, a sociology student. Katerina fondly remembers Alyssa’s book release party, where Alyssa’s pride in her work shone brightly. “She’s one of the smartest people I know, and she asks great questions that help forge meaningful connections,” Katerina said. “She once asked me what chapter I feel I’m entering in my life, which made me think deeply.”
Looking ahead, Alyssa is eager to engage with the literary world, both as a writer and a mentor. She dreams of helping young authors as a developmental editor while continuing to write herself. Currently, she plans to refine her book for a broader audience and explore more publishing options after self-publishing her novel. “This experience has taught me what matters most: taking care of myself so I can create and fully engage in life,” she said.
