Local woman writes custom fairy tales

Once upon a time in the desert city of Yuma, Ariz., one young woman found a way to turn her passion into a business - and now she's on her way to a happy ending.

Kofa High School grad Tricia Romant is starting a local business that combines her passion for writing with a plan to make a profit.

The 19-year-old writes fairy tales - but not just any story about a princess looking for her prince.

She'll write a fairy tale just for you - or the story of your little one, niece, nephew, anyone you'd like a story about.

Romant said she's always been a writer, but she was never really serious about it.

"I want to be able to do something that I actually enjoy."

She said she's able to pen the tales by gathering information, then turning the details into a story with memories that will last a lifetime.

Ranging from an e-mail format for $25 to a hard-cover book complete with illustrations with 10 to 35 pages at around $75, she gives buyers an option for how they'd like to preserve their fairy tale.

Romant already has written stories about family members such as her 2-year-old niece, Isabella.

Beyond being the subject of one of her fairy tales, her family also is helping her with her business plan.

Her mother and her sister have helped her refine her idea, create a Web site and help turn her dream into a reality.

Romant said similar businesses have writers who create custom fairy tales, but they simply plug in details.

She said she does it differently. "Whereas you give me an actual idea, and I create an actual story around it."

That way, each story is unique.

As soon as she gains momentum, Romant said, she hopes to take her idea nationwide - and one day have a store, with story time for children and toys.

She said she's ready to go "wherever it takes me."

In addition to starting her business, she's attending Arizona Western College studying general business and architecture technology. Along with her passion for writing, Romant said one day she wants to start her own real estate business buying and fixing up homes before selling them.

But now it won't be long before Romant is helping bring other people's stories to life.

Romant said she's in the process of getting her license now. "Once I get my license, I'm excited to do it for other people."

For more information about how to order a custom fairy tale from Romant or to view some of the ones she's already written, visit www.creativetales.org