Why I Love Secondary Characters and a Quick Update

 One of my favorite things about writing the Dark Blade Trilogy is the secondary characters.

​This week on the podcast​, I read Chapters 20–21 of Dark Blade Forged and talked about why side characters must do more than decorate the story — they must move it forward.

Leandra, Dan’s sister, wasn’t in the original draft of the trilogy. I created her later at a reader’s request. But once she entered the story, she reshaped it.

Unlike Stelia, a hardened sword fighter forged through battle, Leandra fights differently. She uses appearance as armor. Wit as strategy. A jeweled hair stick might be as dangerous as a blade. Through her, I explored noble culture, hidden rebellion, and the quiet courage it takes to step away from corruption.

She changed the trilogy for the better.

If you’d like to read the full reflection on writing secondary characters — and how Leandra transformed the story — you can find it on my website:

​[Read the full post]​

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🌿 To Speak My newest poetry collection, To Speak: Poems of Inspired Courage, Wild Grace, and Sacred Ordinary, is available now. It blends memoir, imagination, and even fantasy-inspired pieces like Fairy Godmother, Swipe Right? and Silver Surf. ​ [Link]​

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⚔️ Dark Blade Trilogy Kickstarter ​The Dark Blade Trilogy Kickstarter​ launches in March. I’m preparing special editions, maps, and behind-the-scenes extras — more soon.

Thank you for being here — for reading, listening, and walking this creative journey with me.

IWSG: A Season of Gentle Focus, Poetry, and Looking Back

 Today feels like a hinge moment—a turning, not away from creativity, but toward a more sustainable way of holding it.

Happy IWSG Day to those who celebrate the fun encouragement of the Insecure Writer's Support Group with monthly blog hops! Thank you for all you do!

Podcast Update

I’m shifting my podcast schedule to one episode per week. After experimenting with a higher release pace, I’m recognizing that caregiving responsibilities and family health needs are asking me to slow down and focus more intentionally.

For the next season, the podcast will center on:

• the Dark Blade Trilogy

• updates on the upcoming Kickstarter

• and readings from Dark Blade Forged

I’m also pausing author interviews for a bit, with plans to return to them later in the spring.

Celebrating To Speak

My poetry collection, To Speak, released yesterday in ebook format. While print editions are still ahead, I’m deeply grateful to finally share this book.

Poetry has been my companion across decades—shaping my faith, my imagination, and my understanding of voice. Releasing this collection feels like honoring that long, quiet conversation.

Insecure Writers Support Group Reflection

Today is also an Insecure Writers Support Group blog hop day. One of this month’s questions asks:

Have you ever reread work you wrote years ago—and what was that experience like?

Yes. I’ve reread childhood stories, early poems, and work from my young adult years. One poem in To Speak began when I was nineteen. I rediscovered it at fifty-three while reading old journals—and I loved it enough to revise and finish it.

Returning to old work can be a strength. It shows us how far we’ve come, and how certain truths and themes continue to shape us. Our earlier words are not failures—they’re foundations.

Today’s Interview

This week’s podcast episode also features a conversation with Stephanie, whose work and perspective I truly appreciate. I’m thankful for her willingness to share honestly about the creative life. Find out more about her through her successful Kickstarter Page HERE, Patreon Here, or Facebook HERE.

Thank you for being here—for reading, listening, and walking alongside me in this season.

Find To Speak through various online stores HERE.

Listen to the Podcast HERE.

Find out more about IWSG HERE.