Taylor knew she wanted to be singer since the age of 10, but it wasn’t until two years later when she learned to play the guitar and wrote her first song (yes, she was only 12!) that she tapped into what would really allow her to connect with an audience and soon make her a star. Her music is relatable because she puts her life, her relationships, and her struggles on paper and shares it with the world — and at only 18 she has so many more experiences ahead and so many more songs to write. In the Dec./Jan. issue of CosmoGirl Taylor talks about life as a singer/songwriter and a little secret Faith Hill taught her.

Check out the Dec./Jan. issue of CosmoGirl for the story on Taylor Swift.