Doryto and the Door of Wanderers centers around a man with the exceptional ability to find almost anything, who is pulled into a mysterious interdimensional adventure. Where did the idea behind this novel come from?

The idea actually started with a tagline: Doryto is hired by his grandmother to find himself in another dimension where he has lost everything. From there, the story shaped itself as I wrote. I love the freedom of following characters through their decisions one at a time, rather than being tied to a strict outline.

Doryto’s voice is funny and personal—how did you strike the balance between authenticity and storytelling clarity?

I set out to write the most ridiculous story I could think of, and I knew I needed a voice to ground it. Doryto provides that balance; he wouldn’t be as effective if he took everything seriously in a world where Sasquatches smell like Fruity Pebbles.

In truth, this story mirrors my own journey of sorrow while my husband was dying. I needed the humor because my world was going dark; it was a form of survival. I wanted to explore the different versions of ourselves we present to the world, what it’s like to become ‘more’ or ‘less’ of yourself, and the profound experience of losing someone you love dearly. It’s about the desperation of those left behind to remember the journey—to hold onto the pieces of who you were with them while finding the courage to redefine yourself without them. The biggest gift is ultimately allowing yourself to heal.

Do you see more stories in this world or more journeys for Doryto ahead? 

Maybe. Right now, my focus is on finishing The Watershed Butterfly. I originally wrote Doryto as a standalone, but who knows what the future holds?

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