I loved writing Noa’s character, but it was hard! While we share a few things in common, we have very different personalities. She’s so much more forward and assertive than I am; she almost always says what she feels, consequences be damned.

Writing a character like that was fun and liberating but presented two big challenges. First, my own voice kept seeping in, making her quieter and more accommodating. I had to consistently critique what I wrote and ask myself, “What would Noa really say?” Second, it was easy to go too far. I want Noa to be brash and bold but not abrasive or difficult to root for. Feedback was necessary to strike the right balance, which I hope I’ve done.

I do! In full disclosure, I’m a die-hard romantic and a sucker for a happy ending, but what gives me the most hope for Noa and Brandon’s relationship is how well they complement each other. Their strengths are so different. I believe they’ll continue to grow together and challenge each other as they face the future.

Specifically, within the narrative, I learned something unexpected and, for me, pretty impactful: it’s a lot easier to let go of one version of your future when there’s something good or better (in some way) to take its place. If nothing feels exciting or compelling about the alternative, it’s so much harder to let go and move forward.

More generally, finishing my second full-length manuscript taught me a lot about the craft and journey. It was rewarding to see my writing has improved. I plotted this book in a more intentional way; I challenged myself to try new and different things. Refining my editing approach proved effective and, at the same time, faster. Despite painful losses that interrupted—and informed—this book, the whole process ultimately reaffirmed my love of storytelling.