For some authors, inspiration strikes like a bolt of lightning, instantly setting their imagination ablaze with a torrent of ideas and emotions that they eagerly channel onto the page. For others, it’s more like a slow-burning ember, gradually intensifying into a magnificent inferno over time. Such was the case with my novel, “Descending Into Darkness,” a tale that smouldered within me before roaring to life in a blaze of creativity.
The Origins: Exploring the Spirit World
My fascination with the afterlife began at our kitchen table, watching the women in my family get their tea leaves read. I was enthralled by the possibility that a spirit could be right there, whispering secrets from beyond.
As I grew older, I found myself seeking out psychics, eagerly writing down the reading. Regardless of whether their predictions materialized, I persisted in exploring the world of spiritualism, desperately seeking some form of connection with “the other side.”
All of this gave me an idea for a novel about how a soul transforms. It would explore how a person’s choices across multiple lives could corrupt their soul, turning it from something pure into an irredeemable darkness.
While the concept was compelling, it never grew beyond a page of initial thoughts. I ultimately put it aside and went back to school to pursue a master’s in social work.
Research: The Foundation of My Story
My paternal grandmother was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2018. At the time, the idea for a book about the spiritual realm was taking shape in my mind, but that’s all it was—an idea.
My grandma’s prognosis suddenly cast a shadow over me, and panic intertwined with my grief. I realized that I wasn’t just losing my gran, I was also losing the chance for her to read my novel. She never had the opportunity to see my dream of becoming a published author come to fruition, nor did she meet the two beautiful sons I brought into the world after her passing.
All I could think about was the time I had wasted. Now, I just hope she’s watching from somewhere, proud of what I’ve started. I’d like to believe so, anyway.
Following my grandma’s passing, I was determined to ensure that the rest of my loved ones would have the opportunity to read my book. I immersed myself in extensive research on topics related to the spirit world, delving into subjects such as demonology, symbolism, spiritualism, and astral projection.
I also engaged in interesting conversations with psychics and individuals passionate about the afterlife, broadening my understanding and perspective. From there, my interests expanded to include witchcraft, fairies, and other supernatural creatures.
Over the span of four years, my research had accumulated into a heap of physical books and scattered loose papers strewn throughout my house. It wasn’t until shortly after the birth of my son that I finally sat down to meticulously organize all the information into subheadings within a single Word document.
As I started this tedious task, ideas began to flow, and I begin to create folders on my USB stick, labelling them ‘Book One,’ ‘Book Two,’ and so forth. Although I still didn’t have a complete picture of who my characters would be, the story was gradually unfolding in my mind.
The Birth of Izzy Adams
I had what I believed to be a brilliant idea: a strong female protagonist who accidentally astral projects into the spirit world. But what should I call her? And what about her appearance and demeanour?
It was at this moment that my oldest daughter, Isabelle, otherwise known as “Izzy,” came to mind—a vibrant little prankster with blonde hair, sparkling blue eyes and a strong-willed spirit. Drawing from my daughter’s personality, as well as some of my own traits, the main character of my story came to life.
The Story Takes Shape
I began compiling a character bible and started filling it with my thoughts. I shifted my research focus from spiritualism and the supernatural to character arcs, dialogue, and world-building.
Ideas spontaneously popped into my mind at the most unexpected moments—while driving the kids to swimming lessons, doing dishes, or even during the quiet moments as I lay in bed at night. I made sure to message them to myself immediately to prevent them from slipping away.
Before long, I had a detailed outline for the first book, chapter by chapter, and the folders for the following five books in the series started to fill up. Then life happened. A combination of pneumonia, the pregnancy of my fourth child, and the demands of a challenging job forced me to set my dream aside for an entire year.
Though my mind was occupied with other matters, an underlying, persistent sense of unease remained that I couldn’t shake—an unsettling feeling of incompleteness. It was as if my “fifth child,” my deferred dream, had been overlooked and was now silently clamouring for my attention.
The Resurgence: The Final Stretch
In the summer of 2022, our family welcomed our fourth child, Marley, into the world. Adding another member to our busy household left me with no time to write. Factor in the sleep deprivation that comes with a newborn, the first six months were nothing short of draining. But then, a small miracle occurred—Marley began to sleep through the night. With my sanity partially restored, I feverishly returned to my writing.
From the moment my children were safely nestled in their beds until the clock struck midnight, I found time to write. Whether during nap times, brief intervals when the girls were at school and the boys were occupied, I would scrawl out thoughts on a Post-it, my arm, or even send a quick text message to myself. I seized every opportunity to write.
I felt like I was reclaiming lost time. I’d crafted detailed outlines for all six of my upcoming books in just five months. Then, I circled back to scrutinize my work, meticulously searching for gaps and inconsistencies, stressing over the nuances of character development. I paused briefly to catch my breath before diving back in, this time to pen my first chapter.
By the end of July 2023, the first draft was complete. The second draft followed in August, and from there, it went straight to my editor. I had achieved the unthinkable, ticking off the top item on my bucket list. Beyond my role as a mom, I had realized my dream and found one more profound purpose in my life: I was on the path to becoming a published author.