Shamontiel is a full-time freelancer who has worked in print and online publishing for 20 years and completed 247 interviews in varying niches. She's been an entertainment reporter, a fact-checker (primarily legal and medical topics), a real estate magazine editor and worked in three newsrooms. (As a night owl, the night desk will ALWAYS be her favorite shift.) If the native Chicagoan isn't writing or editing, there's a 99% chance she's trying to get her dog to stop picking fights with squirrels and rabbits; dancing to Kukuwa Fitness videos; hanging out at the lakefront; or (since 2005) dissecting grocery store aisles to cook plant-based recipes. Find out more about her at ShamontielVaughn.com.