My debut novel releases in four days–and man… I am nervous. The process has been a lot harder than I ever imagined it would be, but I’ve learned, and hopefully, each novel I write shows growth.

     I read a quote this week that caused me to pause and think. The quote claimed it takes a million words to find your voice as an author. Days away from publishing my first novel and just finishing my second, I took some time away from worrying to formulate what I want my voice to be. Not only do I want the reader to know what to expect when they pick up my stories, but I also thought it would be a good exercise for me to define what my expectations are.

     I’m not trying to change the world with my writing. I don’t have lofty goals of best sellers lists or Pulitzer Prizes. When I sit down to write a story, I’m simply writing a story I’d like to read. I don’t like to read about scary topics or twisted mysteries, and it stresses me out to read about a character who has to suffer; therefore, none of my books will have those types of themes.

     I read to relax, and what relaxes me is light, sweet, uncomplicated, and lovely. I like to see good overcome evil so I can promise you that my stories will always find their happily ever after. Readers can relax knowing that everything will turn out good in the end. Every. Single. Time.

My Heroes

     Just like I write the story I want to read, I do the same with my characters. No matter what story I write, my hero will always be big and strong and alpha–often to a fault. They will be growly and protective and overly possessive. I understand that’s not for everyone, especially people who have had bad life experiences with someone like that… but that can be true of any personality, and the men in my life show their love this way so when I think of how a man should love a woman, it will always be this way for me. I will always write protectors.

My Heroines

     I admit there will be much more variety in the heroines I write about. I have come across so many strong women in my lifetime, and I’ve noticed they all look different and show their strength in different ways. Some of my heroines will come across as badass while others will seem meek, but in the end, you’ll see they were all strong.

     I want to write about women who have been struck down with life’s many disappointments, but they continue to survive. The women in my life are always getting knocked down, but they get up, dust themselves off, and continue… usually with a smile.

     I want to memorialize these people within the pages of my books. I also like the idea of pairing these women with a strong protector. Watching strong women survive is inspirational definitely, but when I look deeper, I can see how many of them are exhausted. Most of these women never get their hero. They have to trudge on and be their own hero, but I like the idea of writing one for them.

     Like I said at the start, I’m not shooting for the stars with my books. I just want to create a safe place for like-minded people to rest for a little while. I hope you smile, maybe even laugh, and forget about your troubles. I want you to lose yourself in the pages of my story, and then when you’re finished, I want you to feel a little lighter. It doesn’t matter if I make any lists or get any recognition, but if I make a few people feel a little hope, then I will have found the author’s voice I’m looking for.