Introduction

Welcome. Instead of repeating what’s written on the back of my book covers, I thought I’d take a deeper dive into the stories, the process, and the heart behind my work.

Thank you for stepping into my world.

The Writing

What kind of stories do you feel called to tell?

I’m drawn to stories that feel real, intentional, passionate, and deeply meaningful stories that center women and men of color in all of their complexity and strength. I want to weave into each narrative a sense of unity, interconnection, shared battles, and collective victories.

At the core, I write love stories rooted in understanding, faith, and the commitment to show up for the people you love, even when it’s difficult. I believe in telling stories where endless possibilities are born from the most beautiful ruins.

The Stories Behind the Stories

What inspired ’Til it Hurts?

Variations of this story have lived in my mind for over two decades. It wasn’t until I came into a deeper understanding of myself that I was able to finally bring it to the page.

It feels like every version of who I’ve been had to converge before I could fully see the story and tell it the way it was meant to be told.

The Process

What does your writing process look like?

This is probably my favorite of the journey. When I’m writing poetry or spoken word, I always start with pen and paper. But for this series, it began differently. It started with an outline for an entirely different book and a collection of characters that had been living in my subconscious for years.

One day, while washing dishes, everything clicked. I had an “aha” moment that brought the story together, and I immediately grabbed my laptop and started writing. From there, the chapters came with a natural flow.

When new ideas surfaced, whether a shift in direction or a change in dialogue, I would capture them however I could. Sometimes that meant texting myself or leaving voice notes in the middle of the night just to hold onto the moment. I also talked through plot developments with my husband during our weekly working sessions to hear the story out loud and make sure it felt right.

The process has been filled with late nights, constant evolution, and music playing in the background. I always write with music because it helps me stay connected to the story and the emotion behind it.

The Reader Experience

What do you want your readers to feel when they finish one of your books?

Joy is the first thing that comes to mind. Even in moments of heartbreak, I want readers to feel a sense of joy in knowing the characters loved deeply and fully, and that the loss meant something.

More than anything, I want my stories to leave readers feeling encouraged to love, to let go, and to feel everything fully, deeply, and unapologetically.

The World You’re Building

What does “Love Until” mean to you?

In my experience, love comes with both high highs and very low lows. What matters is that each of us gets to decide the extent of that love.

We choose when to stay and when to leave. We choose when love is enough and when it becomes too much, when it feeds us and when it begins to drain us.

“Love Until” is about making those choices with intention. It’s about understanding what exists on the other side of that decision and choosing what aligns with your spirit and the purpose of your life.

On a More Personal Note

What keeps you grounded?

My family. My husband, my son, and I have a weekly movie night, usually on Thursdays. I make popcorn in the popcorn maker, and they’ve started calling it “proper popcorn.”

We take turns choosing what to watch. Our son is six, so it’s always something age-appropriate and usually his pick, but there have been a few that we’ve genuinely enjoyed too.

Being with them is my peace. It keeps me centered and reminds me of my why.

Stay Connected

If you’d like to stay connected, receive updates, and get a closer look at upcoming work, you’re always welcome inside Elle’s Inner Circle.