Frequently Asked Questions

What was the inspiration behind the world of Lunaria and The Night Chronicles? 

The foundation of Lunaria really began with the idea of a 'hidden world' that intersects with our own in the most mundane places—like a quiet, neighborhood bar. I’ve always been fascinated by the concept of legacy and how much of our own history we unknowingly carry. When I started developing The Night Chronicles, I wanted a setting that felt rich, ancient, and slightly dangerous. I wanted to create a world where you can peel back the surface to find something beautiful, complex, and potentially hazardous underneath 

Is any part of Liz Mitchel’s experience in the bar inspired by your own life? 

While the supernatural mystery of Liz's life is definitely fiction, the feeling of being in 'My Bar' is very much rooted in my own experiences. The bar itself was inspired by a dream my parents held throughout my life—a vision they never quite acted on, but one I grew up hearing about. Writing about it became my own way of paying tribute to that long-lost dream. I’ve grown to appreciate the quiet, resilient rhythm of small-town life—the places where everyone knows each other, and secrets can hide in plain sight. I think any author pulls from their own observations of human behavior, and the way Liz navigates the exhaustion of service work or the struggle to maintain a professional smile while dealing with internal grief is something I've observed in many hard-working people in my own community. The setting is a tribute to the places I've walked and lived, even if the ghosts I’ve placed inside them are entirely mine 

How does your background as a teacher influence the way you write characters like Liz and Maya? 

Being a professional educator has been one of the biggest influences on my character development. In the classroom, you get a front-row seat to the internal lives of young people—the way they process trauma, the masks they wear to protect their friends, and the fierce, often irrational loyalty they have for one another. Writing Liz and Maya, I draw on those authentic 'student voices.' I understand that vulnerability isn't weakness; it’s a form of strength. When Liz tries to shield Maya or when Maya keeps her past hidden, I’m channeling the protective, often complicated ways I've seen my own students advocate for the people they love.

Are you a "plotter" or a "pantser" when it comes to such a long saga?  

With a seven-book commitment, you can't be a pure 'pantser'—you’d lose your way in Lunaria—but I’m definitely not a rigid plotter either. I’m a bit of a hybrid. I rely heavily on structures like the 'Year of Content' system and 'The Author Roadmap' to keep the overarching seven-book narrative arc consistent, which is absolutely essential for a saga of this length. However, I leave plenty of room for 'discovery writing' when I'm actually in the draft. My outline provides the map, but the characters often take unexpected detours that make the story feel alive. It’s the perfect balance for me: the professional structure ensures I’m on track, but the creative freedom ensures the story stays fun to write.