For as long as she can remember, Alaina Buchwald has loved to read and write.  Some of her fondest memories are from reading at home with her mom, even before kindergarten.  Her writing began in first grade at Zion Lutheran, Menomonee Falls, when her first grade teacher always provided paper on which students could write their first stories.  After reading one of Alaina’s stories, the teacher predicted that she would become an author someday.  That prediction would later be fulfilled when, as a sixteen-year-old, Alaina would publish her first book, The Tales of Adarya: Out of the Past.

Alaina truly began to excel in writing after seventh grade, when she began the most recognizable draft of what would later become her first published work.  The most basic elements of the story, however, were formed several years before, in a correspondence with her cousin, Chloe, who was like a second sister to Alaina.  The two would constantly write letters back and forth, and began to write chapters of a story.  After a while, Alaina took over the story and changed the majority of it, though still keeping much of the basic plot and main characters.  She reconstructed it to make it less of a child’s fantasy, and more of a tale for all ages.  The last revisions were completed just before her freshman year of high school, and the book was quickly picked up for publication by Nightengale Press.  Since then, it has been received with much enthusiasm, and Alaina plans to write a sequel.

Alaina’s writing continues to develop through her rigorous education.  As a high school student at Brookfield Academy and one of the top in her class, her teachers continually support her with their input and enthusiasm.  Alaina attributes her success at writing to her wonderful teachers at both Zion Lutheran and Brookfield Academy near her hometown of Pewaukee, Wisconsin. 

When not reading, writing, or doing schoolwork, Alaina enjoys a variety of different activities.  She has loved playing piano ever since she began to play in first grade under a teacher who also continually encouraged her in her writing.  In addition, Alaina has played trumpet since fifth grade, and she works as one of her church’s organists.  Alaina is also a dedicated member of Classical Fencing Society and an enthusiastic leader in her high school’s fencing team.  She also enjoys being with her family, and talking with her closest friends online or on the phone.  She still is best friends with her sister Kellene and her cousin Chloe, without whom The Tales of Adarya probably would never have been written.  Above all, Alaina values her solid Christian faith, and believes that “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:11).