📖 10 Days Until launch: The Countdown Begins: 10 Things You Didn’t Know About Moons and Shadows
With just 10 days until release, I wanted to pull back the curtain and share a few behind-the-scenes truths that helped shape Moons and Shadows - the characters, the process, and the heart behind the story.
Some of these are personal, some are quirky, and some are part of what I believe makes this indie book launch feel like more than just a release - it’s a journey. So here we go…
1. It All Started with Movement, Music, and Prayer
Every morning, before writing a single word, I moved. Whether it was a walk or a workout, I needed to connect to my body, clear my head, and listen. No expectations. Just movement, music, and prayer. That’s when the story began to whisper.
2. I Never Workout Without a Journal Nearby
My best writing doesn’t happen at a desk- it shows up mid-workout, with a pen and scrap paper on standby. Words, dialogue, or entire pages just pour out, unfiltered. It’s chaotic, it’s messy and it’s where the quintessence starts.
3. I Build the World Before the Dialogue
When I write a chapter, I focus first on the scene’s atmosphere. Think of it like designing a stage before the actors arrive. The first draft is rarely heavy on dialogue- it’s all about painting the moment with emotion, setting, and sensation.
4. I Layer My Writing Over Time
I don’t write in a linear fashion. I build layers. I return to chapters later, often pulled back by intuition or something new I’ve discovered about a character. That layering is where a lot of the emotional depth comes from.
5. I Brainstorm Out Loud (With a Brave Audience)
My best ideas often come from rambling out loud. Thankfully, I have a team and early readers who sit patiently, ask thoughtful questions, and challenge plot holes—without forcing a single outcome. It’s collaborative inquiry at its finest.
6. The Title Was Always: Moons and Shadows
This book has had one name from the beginning. Moons and Shadows came to me early, and it stuck. (Though, full disclosure- I did try to design my own cover in Canva… it did not go well. Outsourcing was the best decision I made.)
7. Story Inspiration Was Deeply Personal
This book is rooted in years of self-reflection. Therapy. Journaling. Learning how to meet my own needs. Understanding how trauma shapes perspective. Moons and Shadows isn’t about blame - it’s about clarity, healing, and owning your story.
8. Runa’s Journey Reflects My Own
Runa’s unbinding mirrors the process of becoming - breaking old patterns, asking better questions, and learning how to breathe in raw realities, no matter how uncomfortable. She’s not perfect. But neither are we. That’s kind of the point.
9. The Male Characters Were Inspired by Quiet Conversations
Izayah’s character - and others- were inspired by the men in my life who carried so much but said so little. Veterans. Friends. Mentors. I spent years listening to the things no one ever asked them about. That silence became the foundation for many of the emotional layers in this book.
10. This Is Bigger Than a Tome
Moons and Shadows is a story, yes - but it’s also a promise. To every reader who’s ever felt unseen, unheard, or on the edge of becoming: you are not alone. This story is for you.
Thanks for being part of this journey. If any of this resonates, I’d love for you to preorder the book or share it with someone who needs a story like this in their life.
✨ Have a story to tell? (I will leave you with this...)
If you’re carrying a story that you haven’t been able to share - this is your open door. I would be honored if you found the courage to tell it. You can email it to me directly, or if you feel comfortable, share it online and tag our social media accounts. I’d love to begin amplifying us—as a community—and truly listen to the stories that have gone untold. Your voice matters here. Always. 🌙