The Basics
I grew up in Jacksonville, FL, and moved to Black Mountain, NC, in 2009, to work at Camp Rockmont. I graduated from the University of Florida in 2006, and married my high school sweetheart in 2007. We unexpectedly adopted a chocolate dog in 2008. Some of the best experiences of my life have been unplanned and a complete surprise, from getting to work at Rockmont, our dog, and coaching a girl’s lacrosse team. My wife and I love to work together and travel, using our time off to do anything but relax, often spending days out in the woods, backpacking and unplugging from the world.
My Writing Life
I began writing in high school, and actually declared English as my college major, before realizing I was supposed to write what my teachers asked. This did not interest me as much, so I switched to Recreation & Sports Management. It also explains many of the grammatical errors in my writing.
For the 5 years following my graduation, I wrote from time to time at my ol’ WordPress.com blog, always wishing I had more time to write, or more inspiration. Mostly, I just wanted to be famous and get a book deal.
In late 2011, I decided it was time to jump in, sink or swim. I was tired of making excuses to myself. If writing, telling stories, and helping people was something God put in me, and kept swimming around in my gut, then I had to do it. I basically reached a point where I needed to write, or I was denying myself.
I AM…
… a Beloved Son of God
… a Husband
… an Outdoorsman
… an Athlete
… a Cook
… a Storyteller
… Initiated
… a Reader
… an Agent of Change
… Creative
Let’s Connect
Email me at matt [at] mattragland.com
Follow me on Twitter @mattragland
Find me on Google+
See my pictures on Instagram