“I’d never been a writer. I laughed because the idea was so foreign to me.”
For thirty years, my world was defined by retail management—schedules, inventory, and the fast-paced hum of the floor. If you had told me a decade ago that I would eventually be waking up at 4:00 AM, not for a morning shift, but to document the adventures of a pirate-assassin and aer adopted crew, I wouldn’t have believed you.
I recently had the pleasure of interviewing with IndieReader for an Author Spotlight to discuss my debut novel, Catching Qat. I told them about the shift from managing a library to writing the books that fill its shelves. The transition wasn’t immediate; it began with a simple realization: my Dungeons & Dragons characters weren’t going to leave me alone until I gave them a life on the page.
One of the most frequent questions I get is about the “why” and the “when.” Why start now? When do I find the time? The truth is, my 4 AM writing sessions became my sanctuary. It’s the time when the world is quiet, and the realm of Oram feels most real. ⚔️✨
If you’ve ever felt like it’s “too late” to start something new or that your professional history defines your creative future, I hope my journey shows you otherwise. Moving from a thirty-year career to receiving a Starred Review and the “IR Approved” badge has been a whirlwind, but it proves that “late bloomers” often bring the most soil to the garden.
In the full interview, I go behind the scenes of my writing process, the evolution of the Drakkaen Nakkla series, and why diverse teams are at the heart of everything I write.
Are you working on a “later in life” project? I’d love to hear about your journey in the comments!
Until tomorrow… or tomorrow!
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See what readers have to say about Catching Qat!
August 24, 2025 I really enjoyed this as a opening chapter in the Drakkaen Nakkla series, it does an amazing job in keeping the reader invested and caring about the characters. I enjoyed going on this journey and thought it uses the fantasy adventure element that I was expecting from this type of book. The… Continue reading Kat M
5.0 out of 5 stars Book was a hit for me. Reviewed in the United States on January 12, 2026 I bought this book at a local author fair expecting a “local author” level of book. I was most pleasantly surprised and am anxiously awaiting Book 2. I enjoyed the characters, their interactions, and the… Continue reading Seeker Librarian
Amazon 5.0 out of 5 stars So Amazing I Fell in Love with Reading Again (No Seriously) Reviewed in the United States on February 7, 2026 Format: Hardcover As a single mom dealing with a lot and struggling through burnout I stopped reading. I used to read about a book a day and then life took… Continue reading Typhanie S – Mentoring Tiny Humans