What started this journey?

The very, very beginning, the moment that gave me the courage to even try my hand at writing a novel, started with a children’s book. A simple one. Illustrated and written by me for my son. Creating something for him, seeing how it was received gave me the courage to pursue writing a novel. Up until that point I didn't even think it was possible.

I have always been an avid reader. Stories have been my escape, my comfort, and my curiosity for as long as I can remember. I grew up falling in love with books and later found myself deeply inspired by the courageous Black indie authors I know in real life and those I follow on social media. Watching them build worlds, tell unapologetic stories, and claim space made something click for me.

As a reader, and if you’ve spent any time on my TikTok, you already know this, I assume. I assume where the story is going. I assume who ends up together. I assume the happy ending will look a certain way. And most of the time, I am wrong.

That’s what got me thinking.

What if?

What if the character didn’t follow the status quo?
What if they didn’t end up together?
What if the happy ending you get isn’t the one you expected… or even the one you wanted?

Those questions stayed with me. They lingered. And eventually, they pushed me to take the leap.

One day, I put pen to paper and made it happen.