I’m finally getting around to answering some questions that I’ve received over the last couple of months. So sorry for the delay. Life has been lifing and I’m trying to balance work, a social life, and a writing life.
A couple of questions came in more than once or were closely related, so I combined them here. I also won’t be sharing any names, since I believe in keeping things private.
Do you use AI generation for your books or book covers?
Short answer: no, I don’t. I did a short video on Instagram that shows how my covers are created, but as far as the writing goes, the ideas, the stories, the characters, and the words are all mine.
To be honest, I don’t fully understand AI, and it creeps me out a little. From what I’ve learned, there are two kinds: assistive AI and generative AI. Generative AI is the problematic one because it was trained on artists’ work without their permission, and allows someone to copy their style. I completely understand why artists and authors are angry, and I’d never disrespect another writer by letting a computer “write” for me in their voice. I’d never want anyone to do that to me. Besides, it feels lazy. I love building my stories, writing them out, and especially love doing the “surgery” on them. Digging into character voices and POVs, cutting apart scenes, and making them shine is the part that I live for.
I enjoyed your book, but one thing really bothered me. I felt like you used La’Tasha to check a box. She is the only Black person in Moonridge, and all you had her do was run around and research things for Hazel and Blake. I’m sorry, but that feels very disrespectful. I also felt like making Calvin gay was just checking the gay box, so you can make your stories feel inclusive.
I’ll admit this question took me by surprise, but I appreciate it. From the beginning, I’ve wanted Moonridge to be an inclusive world with space for all races, gender identities, and sexual orientations. La’Tasha and Calvin weren’t added to check a race or sexuality box, and La’Tasha is not the only character of color in the series. The sheriff is Black, Mason is biracial, and both Coco and Leo are Hispanic. (There are also a few others you haven’t met yet.)
I also understand how, early on, it might feel like La’Tasha is being reduced to Hazel’s helper. That isn’t her story, though. This is just the start of her arc, and in books three and four, especially, you’ll see her strength and power shine. I realize it’s early in the series, and my intent is unclear, but I will never use a character’s race, gender identity, or sexual orientation just to say I am inclusive. I would also never reduce a person of color’s worth like that. Especially not a Black woman. They are some of the strongest and most disrespected people on this earth. They deserve more than minor character status. All I can ask is that you trust me.
This feedback has inspired me to do better about describing characters on the page and to expand the character bios on my website to include details about race, gender identity, and sexual orientation. And thank you for calling this out. It tells me you care enough to ensure that non-straight, cis, white characters are being treated with respect. I wish everyone cared that much.
When will Book Three release? I just finished Date Night With Death, and I really can’t wait to read Vivienne and Leo’s story!
I’m so happy you’re enjoying the series! I’m doing surgery on book three right now. While rereading the very rough first draft, I realized there was something big I wanted to change. That meant switching around the order of books four and five. I’ve been re-drafting both to weave in those changes, and once that’s done, I’ll get back to editing book three. If I can stay on track, my goal is to have it out by spring 2026. One little heads-up, though. A different couple (not Vivienne and Leo) will be stepping into the spotlight in book 3. Don’t worry, though, Leo and Vivienne will get theirs soon!
Which characters will be featured in future books?
I’m guessing you mean which characters will be the leads. I do have all of that mapped out, but I’m not quite ready to spill the details yet. What I can say is this: if you’ve read the first two books, you’ve already met the couple who takes center stage in book three. You’ve also met one of the leads for book four, and their partner gets a mention in book three before making a grand entrance at the end. The couple for book five has already been introduced, and one half of the book six couple was introduced in book two. Vague enough for you? 🙂
What is your writing process like?
I feel like this question could be its own blog post, so I may circle back to it in the future. For now, here’s the short version: I start with voice recordings, since I can talk through ideas much faster than I can type. Later, I transcribe those recordings into a rough outline. That outline serves as a loose guide while I draft the first pass of the story. The story doesn’t really come together until the third or fourth draft, and that’s usually the version I send to beta readers and editors.
Thanks to those of you who wrote in, and as always, thanks for being on this journey with me.
