The Story Behind (Writing) the Story:

So how did I make the leap from acting and the film industry to novel-writing and pursuing publishing? I’m so glad you asked.

My love for writing is no new thing. My fifth grade teacher even once predicted I’d grow up to be a novelist. But like many dreams and true-loves, this one remained hidden for quite a while. Despite my love for reading, middle school writing awards, and the journal where I attempted writing a novel at the time (it didn’t get far), I never thought of being an author as a legitimate option. Books held a magic far removed from the very real people who created them. But in my late twenties, years into cultivating a life of chasing my dreams, getting to know my heart, and following God, a whisper of longing started tugging at my attention. My heart beginning to reveal this long-buried love of novels and writing that was deeper than even the acting career which I was chasing so whole-heartedly.

I remember one day, my husband Derek and I were at our local library. It was a moment I will never forget. Like someone flipped on the lights and I suddenly saw beyond the magic of the stories books held. “A person wrote this book!” I ran around the library proclaiming to my husband, pulling book after book off the shelf. “I’m a person! I could write a book!”

That seed of possibility continued to sprout desire, one I wasn’t sure what to do with but refused to let die. About a year or two later, my husband and I spent a summer doing a missions school abroad. The first two weeks were spent in Scotland, and on a free day we took a trip to Edinburgh. While heading with the throngs toward the castle, we veered into a random alleyway to look for something to eat. While Derek investigated a small pub, my attention was drawn to a courtyard in the middle of the alley. There was a narrow circular building with a metal sign hanging down reading The Writer’s Museum. It felt like holy ground.

Once inside, we learned the cafe where J.K. Rowling began writing the Harry Potter series was only a few miles away. I was shocked. Somehow in all my HP fandom, I thought she’d been from London. We quickly changed our plans from touring the local castle to setting off for the cafe. Along the way we stumbled upon several other Harry Potter sites. It felt like God had led us on a treasure hunt. I knew He was speaking to me about writing. That afternoon, standing outside the elephant cafe, I asked the Holy Spirit if He wanted to say anything to me. “I believe in you,” He whispered. It pierced my heart. It was all I needed.

Two weeks later, our school held a day of worship and creativity. During worship, a picture popped in my head that unfolded into a scene. I sat down with my journal and wrote a children’s fairytale-style short story leading to that scene. This was the start of my novel. Later that year, back in the states and trying to figure out what to do with my life, I decided to attempt the famous NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month), a challenge to write a new 50,000 word novel in one month. I wrote 52,000 messy wonderful words and discovered my story. I’ve spent the last five years since learning the craft, writing, and rewriting. It’s an art and a story I’ve fallen in love with and a dream that’s changed me for good.