The Sound of Violet, 10th Anniversary Edition follows a young programmer with autism and a woman caught in a web of exploitation as their worlds collide in a way that offers them both hope. Where did the idea behind this novel come from? 

The inspiration for The Sound of Violet came from a conversation with a friend about the challenges of dating in Los Angeles when I was single. I was often naïve and overly trusting, and I built those qualities into Shawn’s character. I was intrigued by the idea of him unknowingly starting a relationship with a woman being trafficked.

Initially, I created Violet as the typical “empowered prostitute” you see portrayed in movies. But as I researched and talked to organizations that fight trafficking, I discovered a devastating reality: women in prostitution are most often victims of trafficking. This realization dramatically changed how I portrayed Violet, altered the entire story, and ignited a passion in me to spread awareness about this critical issue. What began as a story about my awkward dating life evolved into something much deeper—a tale about unconditional love, redemption, and the courage it takes to truly see and fight for another person.

What were the morals you were trying to capture while creating your characters?

At the heart of the story is the idea that everyone needs to be seen and cherished. I wanted to create characters who challenge us to see past surface appearances and stereotypes. Shawn’s autism and synesthesia give him a unique way of experiencing the world as he sees beauty that others miss. Violet’s story confronts the reality that trafficking victims aren’t the “empowered” figures often portrayed in media, but people trapped in exploitation who deserve dignity, rescue, and hope.

The novel explores themes of unconditional acceptance, the transformative power of love, and the courage to fight for another person. It also emphasizes that everyone, regardless of how society labels them, has inherent worth and the capacity for redemption and healing.

Where did you get the inspiration for Shawn’s traits and dialogue?

I built my own naivety and overly trusting nature into Shawn’s character. His literal interpretation of language and difficulty reading social cues comes from extensive research into autism and from personal relationships, as well as working with autistic individuals during the production of the film adaptation. On set, one of our key autistic crew members regularly consulted with our lead actor and helped fuel how he portrayed Shawn.

Shawn’s synesthesia, experiencing colors as sounds, adds a unique sensory dimension to his character. This trait allows readers to experience the world through his distinctive perspective, turning everyday moments into rich, sensory ones. His dialogue reflects his direct, factual communication style and his genuine, unguarded approach to relationships.

What is the next book you are working on, and when will it be available?

As both an author and filmmaker, I’m juggling two creative projects simultaneously. On the film side, I’m developing my next motion picture, aiming to go into production this year. At the same time, I’m writing my next novel, which is a fantasy story that takes me into entirely new genre territory. It’s exciting to explore a different creative landscape while still focusing on the same core themes that drive all my work: authentic characters, meaningful relationships, and stories that make a genuine difference in people’s lives.

For readers who want to follow along with these projects and get updates on when the fantasy novel will be available, they can sign up at forms.sendpulse.com/319b8ea6a1. I send occasional updates about what I’m working on, including behind-the-scenes glimpses of both the writing and filmmaking processes.

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