Butterfly Ink follows a recent high school graduate who, while visiting her best friend, Becca on a private island off the coast of Florida, is offered a magical tattoo promising her fame and beauty. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?

The inspiration for this story began as an idea for a picture book, which may sound crazy. My daughter had always been captivated by water application tattoos, so I wanted to create a story about a magical one. As the idea developed into a young adult novel, I also wanted to create an atmosphere that would feel as enchanting as the tattoo itself. That’s when Wellington Island came to life. Additionally, my daughter was at an age where she expressed her desire to be beautiful to resemble the girls she saw on Pinterest and Instagram. This also served as inspiration for the story’s setup.

Calli undergoes some dramatic transformations, not just physically but also with her beliefs and self-worth. What morals were you trying to capture while creating your characters?

I wanted to address the pressure that young girls feel to conform to societal beauty standards and explore the idea of self-acceptance and inner beauty. In the story, the main character discovers that the magical tattoo she receives grants her physical beauty, but she soon realizes that true beauty comes from within. Through her journey, she learns to embrace her uniqueness and appreciate her own individuality.

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

In Butterfly Ink, self-acceptance was a crucial theme for me to explore. The protagonist goes through a journey of learning to embrace and love herself, flaws and all. This theme is important because it highlights the significance of accepting ourselves for who we are, rather than striving for unattainable perfection. The novel also emphasizes the idea that we can forgive mistakes. Through the characters’ experiences, I wanted to convey the message that everyone makes mistakes, and it is essential to learn from them and move forward. This theme aims to instill a sense of hope and redemption in the readers. Last, the novel emphasizes the value of true love, whether it be from friendship or a romantic relationship. It showcases the power of genuine connections and the impact they have on our lives. By exploring this theme, I wanted to remind readers to cherish and appreciate the people who truly care for them, as they bring immense joy and support. Overall, Butterfly Ink aims to inspire readers to accept themselves, learn from their mistakes, and value the love that surrounds them.

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

The release date for my next book, ANGELS IN THE SAND, is for January 2025. It’s about a ten-year-old girl named Jess who embarks on a journey of self-discovery as she navigates the complex emotions surrounding loss. Struggling to come to terms with her father’s untimely death and the impending loss of her beloved grandmother, Jess finds solace in the most unexpected places. As she encounters a diverse group of individuals who have all experienced profound loss and have developed a unique ability to perceive signs from their departed loved ones. These encounters prove transformative for Jess, as she learns to interpret the subtle messages that surround her and finds comfort in the belief that her father and grandmother are still with her from beyond. ANGELS IN THE SAND is a heartfelt and poignant tale that explores the universal themes of grief, healing, and the extraordinary ways in which we connect with our loved ones, even after they are gone.

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