Tell us a little about your writing background. How long have you been writing? What inspired you to start? What challenges have you faced along the way?

Some of my fondest early memories are of my Grammy reading me stories—though she always made them her own by adding characters, twisting the plot, and weaving in unexpected turns. Thanks to her, I fell in love with storytelling. Once I learned to read, my nose was always buried in a book, often fantasy fiction. I started dabbling in creative writing in high school, encouraged by my wonderful literature and English composition teachers. I wrote several short stories, and even finished a full-length romance novel, though I was always too nervous to share my work.

Two years ago, during a challenging time with chronic illness, I realized it was time to prioritize my well-being again, bringing joyful activities—like reading—back into my life. My love of books was reborn from the ashes. I spent the next year reading every fantasy book I could get my hands on, losing myself in beautifully crafted worlds, meeting strong, empowering characters, and finding my inner peace.

Somewhere along the way, the urge—no, the need—to write, to create my own world, to write a main character I wanted to see, and to tell my story became overwhelming. Fast forward to today, and reading and writing are once again my greatest passions.

What is your dream as a writer?

My dream as a writer...I see myself standing in a cozy, quirky little bookstore, every shelf packed with colorfully bound books, the scent of coffee and pastries in the air. And then I see it: my book, Inked, clutched tightly in the hands of an excited reader seeking adventure and a good dose of spunky, empowered female MC vibes. That moment is what I’m working toward.

How did you come up with the idea for this story?

I have incredibly vivid, third-person omniscient dreams—like action movies! The idea for Inked actually came to me in one of those dreams, so amazingly fantastic that I woke up and began writing that morning. From there, the story continued to develop, fueled by countless hours of daydreaming (when I probably should have been sleeping, working, cleaning... you know, the usual life things). No regrets, though!

What is your writing process like?

My writing process is incredibly informal. I had a baby earlier this year and she is now 7 months old. She takes 1 nap every day at around 7PM for about an hour. I sit on the sofa next to her, laptop in hand, and type as quickly and quietly as I can. Although being a full-time working mom and writer does prove quite the challenge, knowing my time is limited has increased my sense of purpose. No longer do I waste time scrolling, conducting endless research, or hanging out in the “analysis paralysis” zone. My writing process, though flexible, revolves around being deliberate and focused.

I also start every session by repeating the following mantra: I’m thankful for this writing time. I am thankful for however many words I am inspired to write today. Writing is not a chore. It is a privilege and I do not have to write. I get to write.

Have you written more of this story yet? How much?

I have! In fact, I can’t stop writing. I am now wrapping up the final chapter of the book! First draft complete! I’ll be stepping away from my first draft for a couple of weeks to clear my head and re-read other similar titles that have inspired me. I’ll be conducting a first round of basic edits later this month before sending it o to another editor for additional feedback. I’d love to see the book in the hands of beta readers (DM me if interested) by late December or early January. In a perfect world, polished, finished copies would find their way to your bookshelves next year.

Where can readers find more of your work?

Inked has consumed my life! I plan to focus my attention fully on Inked (editing and publishing in 2025), which I have plans to turn into a trilogy. Additionally, I already have a separate outline for another series, which will be a retelling of the fall of the titans because I love a good mythological retelling! Please give me a follow on IG (@riffsandromance) to stay up to date with my upcoming release(s) and author journey (author webpage incoming!).

What advice would you give writers on writing a great first page?

As a very visual person, my advice for writing a great first page and opening scene is to find a quiet place, close your eyes, and imagine yourself as your main character experiencing the scene. Revisit that scene in your mind over and over again, each time focusing on a separate detail. Go beyond what things look like. How do your characters respond physically, both consciously and unconsciously, to various stimuli? Write down more details and more information than you will share in your first page. Now, considering the opening scene will prop up your entire book, review your list and highlight anything that has the capacity to help set up the book or character’s overarching mission. Ignore the basic details and use only those which set up your mission because those are the ones that hold the power and propel the story.

After countless times imagining myself in my opening scene, it now feels more like a memory than a fictional place I created. Each time I pictured myself there, the scene sharpened in my mind, and with every detail, my first page became more refined.