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When did you realize you wanted to write for teens?
As a teen, books were my safe haven. I wanted to create worlds that could be that same refuge for others.
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What’s your latest fantasy novel about?
The Silver Thread Prophecy follows a girl who discovers she’s descended from dream-weavers—beings who shape reality through dreams. It’s about courage, destiny, and rewriting fate.
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Where do you find inspiration for magical worlds?
Nature, mythology, and dreams. I often wake up with fragments of scenes or creatures that become the seed for new ideas.
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Do you plan your stories in advance?
Loosely. I know the destination, but I let the characters choose the route. They surprise me constantly.
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What’s the best feedback you’ve received from a reader?
A teen wrote to say my book helped them get through a hard year. That’s the kind of magic that keeps me writing.
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Do you illustrate your own books or collaborate with artists?
I collaborate. I work closely with illustrators for maps, symbols, and covers. I love seeing my worlds visualized.
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What themes do you try to explore in your writing?
Belonging, identity, and personal power. I want readers to feel seen, even in the most fantastical settings.
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How do you name your characters and magical places?
I keep a “name jar”—a running list of cool-sounding words, often inspired by mythology, nature, or different languages.
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Are there any YA tropes you try to avoid?
I try to avoid love triangles unless they serve deep emotional growth. I also skip the “chosen one” cliché when I can.
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What do your readers mean to you?
Everything. They’re dreamers, rebels, thinkers. When they say, “This book made me feel less alone,” I know I’ve done my job.
