Wing Haven follows a fairy who finds herself queen after being betrayed by her sister, and along with some unlikely allies, enters into a dangerous adventure. Where did the idea for this novel come from?

I looked on Submittable for short story and flash fiction writing contests because I think it’s a good way to flex your writing muscles, and saw one which must have had a fairy or forest theme. I hit the word count limit and had so much more to say about Almond’s journey that I just kept going.

There was a lot of time spent crafting the character traits in this novel. What was the most important factor for you to get right in your characters?

I think archetypes are powerful tools for storytelling, and each character has a role: the hero, the sidekick, the love interest, the comic relief, the villain, the muscle, etc. In Wing Haven, the hero is a fairy, the sidekick is a chipmunk, the comic relief is insects—and they have motivations and quirks corresponding with their roles in the story that I hope draw the reader into a suspension of disbelief that allows them to go along for the ride.

What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?

Some of Wing Haven’s most important themes are self-reliance, chosen family, and acceptance. Almond must learn to live outside of the regimented Fairy Nook, where there are no rules or safety nets, but also learns to trust the creatures she befriends. They’re a ragtag group of very different creatures who accept each other as they are and appreciate each other’s strengths.

Can fans of Wing Haven look forward to more work from you soon? What are you currently working on?

I am excited to share that I’m working on my first closed circle murder mystery, but I also have ideas for more adventures for the Wing Haven crew, so sign up on my website for updates.

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