Personal essays
with a sprinkle
(or more)
of journalism.

I love collaboration. Let’s find the thread that’s the best read for your audience.

Biography

After three years, I knew I had to end it. It was the “perfect relationship,” and my family loved him, but it was also my first relationship. I was 21 and knew there was more to experience in life and love. 

So I did what I always do when I’m at a loss for words, I wrote. I let my feelings flow through the ink. I wrote down all the words I wasn’t brave enough to say, all the things I tried to say before, but that never came out quite right.

I read the letter to him. I imagined a hundred possible reactions he might have, but I wasn’t expecting the one I got. “No,” he said flatly, “we aren’t doing that.”

His response confirmed that he wasn’t right for me. 

Writing has always helped me better understand myself and the world.

From sporadically kept journals to self-motivated essays during my summer break, I wrote my way through my childhood.

I used writing to communicate the things my mouth couldn’t manage. Letters were my scripts for hard conversations. Like when I wanted to tell my dad about his poor choice of girlfriends or my mom’s boyfriend about his problematic views on “terrorists” after 9/11. 

When my dad passed away, I had the opportunity to publish a piece about him—it was my first published piece. 

I used that opportunity to pitch my first “real” story and flung myself headfirst in.

Writing is how I do the world.

If you have a story or some threads of one, I can help you find the best thread for the best read.

What people are saying

“We love working with Daniela! She brings interesting story ideas to our attention and has a keen sense of the heart of the narrative. Her attention to detail is top-notch, and her process is collaborative. Daniela delivers revisions in a timely manner and hasn’t missed a deadline yet—an editor’s dream.”

—Mary Bailey, editor, The Tomato food & drink

Contact me to start the conversation.

Don’t like forms? Email me at danielazenariwrites [at] gmail.com

My humble brags

Silver Winner for the AMPA 2024 Emerging Writer Award

BA in Psychology,
Minor in Creative Writing, with Honours

Parlo molto bene l’italiano!

I eat food really well.

Baby Comedian (new to stand-up, not jokes about babies)

Featured in Tomato Magazine Read the blurb