My whole life, I've been very creative. I love to draw and build things with my Legos. In middle school I started to take wood crafting. I have always had an overactive imagination. Writing and drawing is how I express it. My main goal was to be an artist or video game designer, but never a writer. English was a very weak subject for me. 
Talking with my dad about a theory on how humans really got to earth. He told me that I should write a book about it. When I put pencil to paper, the words flowed out, even though they didn't have proper punctuation. I've been writing ever since.
Over the next few years I stopped, I struggled a lot with anxiety and depression; I came very close to ending my life. I felt there was more to life, and I sought a counselor. He helped me see who I truly am. I've been living as female ever since and haven't looked back.
Since coming out, things were lifted off my chest. i finally could just be myself. I met a lot of people who were very supportive and gained new friends. Because of them I'm still here.
From now on and forever, I am Ashley smith.