Raised in a laissez-faire household in a small North Carolina town, as a little kid, McCauley packed her own lunch, did her own laundry, and was always trying new things: from karate practice to piano lessons to soccer games. Her father stressed independence; her mother demanded kindness. The only other rule was to make your own.
All four of her grandparents were alive, married, and living within 45 minutes of her childhood home until she was 19, which she considers to be the greatest blessing of her life. Much of her work is inspired by the stories and wisdom they shared, along with her love for literature and adventure. She now lives in Seattle, where she peacefully blends into a sea of introverts, spending most of her time writing in coffee shops.