I'd be lying if I said Rowan isn't an idealized version of myself. Except for the whole enigmatic brunette thing. That's just wish fulfillment on my part, but let's be honest. A character with a name as glamorous and Gothic as Rowan Barrow was never going to be anything but an enigmatic brunette, despite her penchant for bright colors, fun prints, and cozy nights in front of the fireplace.

Rowan is plus-size. I know that what is actually considered plus-size is often subjective, so, for reference, Rowan is just a little over five feet tall and weighs slightly more than 210 pounds. That's my size, and even when I weighed less, I was made fun of and judged for it, so I do feel able to speak to the plus-size experience. That being said, Rowan is not a character who wants her whole life to revolve around her size, so while it's a theme that will persist in all of her stories, it will rarely be the center of them.

She's also pansexual and open to polyamorous relationships, another trait we share. It won't be unusual to find her with a man, a woman, or with any number and combination of men and women in various configurations. Again, it's an experience I feel I can speak to, and will represent as responsibly as I can.

Generally, Rowan is in her thirties, though her age will vary depending on the story being told. She is almost always feeling a little aimless and trying to find her place in the world, usually after suffering an emotional and mental upheaval in either her family, her job, or both. Though she's attempted to forge friendships and romantic relationships, they always fall apart because she is too trusting and therefore repeatedly taken advantage of. She's looking not only for where she belongs, but also for someone to truly share her life with. She wants support and genuine affection, and she's finally not willing to settle for anything less.

Though her nature as a people pleaser tends to lead her astray and could have easily made her standoffish to others, Rowan is sweet and kind, as well as loyal. She is fiercely intelligent and somehow still truly believes in happy endings. She might be trying a little too hard to find one sometimes, but she ultimately believes the effort will pay off in the end. She loves humor, and the fetching sound of her laughter is often the first thing to attract her potential love interests to her.

In her free time, Rowan loves to bake and cook. She is an avid reader of many genres, particularly classics, thrillers, and romance, and she likes watching home design shows. When there's a beach available, she likes to be on it.

This is just a small glimpse of who Rowan is. I don't want to reveal everything upfront, because her history without context isn't as compelling as it will be within the stories I plan to tell. I can say that by sending her on many adventures and exploring all aspects of her, I come to understand myself better. I hope that you will empathize with her struggles and that she might make you feel better about your own, and always remind you that a happily ever after is possible.

I live vicariously through Rowan, so I promise the journey is going to be fun. Ideally, you'll enjoy seeing through her eyes as much as I do.