Welcome to Chapter 2 of my author blog, where I invite you to join me on a journey back to the roots of my (soon to be) writing career. Today, I want to share the pivotal moments that ignited my passion for storytelling and set me on the path to becoming a published author.

As a child, I struggled with reading. I was slow, had low reading comprehension, and no real desire to open a book—I was hooked on the boob-tube and only wanted my Scooby-Doo. My mother, who was taking a Children's literature course for her Teaching recertification at the time, decided something needed to be done. We spent countless nights reading before bedtime, swapping page for page who would read next. I can vividly recall those moments cuddled up together as we read "The Indian in the Cupboard", "Hatchet", "Charlotte's Web", "The House with a Clock in Its Walls" to name a few. It didn't initialy spark my journey, but it without it, I would never have fallen in love with a good book nor honed my reading skills. (side note: by far one of my favorite childhood memories overall).

Due to my early reading deficiencies, not to mention my patience level caused by ADHD, I gravitated to the movies early on. The power of visual storytelling and the magic of the silver screen have always held a special place in my heart. As a lifelong cinemaphile, I have found inspiration in the art of captivating an audience through the use of imagery, atmosphere, and suspense.

But it was not just the realm of movies that stirred my imagination. There is an inexplicable thrill that comes from sharing a good ghost story—a tale that sends chills down your spine and leaves you questioning the boundaries of the supernatural. I have always cherished the art of telling such haunting narratives, tapping into the primal fear that lies within us all.

However, there was a specific moment that served as the catalyst for my journey as a writer. As I immersed myself in the first season of "Stranger Things", I found myself transported to a realm of nostalgia, mystery, and supernatural phenomena. The show's fusion of '80s horror and heartfelt storytelling resonated with me on a profound level. In that instant, I realized that I wanted to create my own works of fiction, to craft stories that would elicit the same sense of wonder and excitement in readers as I had experienced as a viewer.

With this newfound determination, I embarked on my writing endeavors. The first attempt took the form of a dark fantasy trilogy—an ambitious undertaking that allowed me to build a complex and immersive world. However, as the pages accumulated, I began to sense the weight of the task before me. Publishing a trilogy as a debut author felt like a daunting prospect, and so, I made the decision to set it aside temporarily, knowing that its time would come when the circumstances were right.

Undeterred by this setback, I delved into a new project—a supernatural thriller entwined with the haunting history of the Salem witch trials. Immersed in research, I wove a tale of dark secrets, ancient curses, and suspenseful intrigue. Although this story is one that I still love, I encountered a set of of challenges and setbacks typical with all first time writers. Therefore I put this work aside for another day as well and went in search of another tantilizing story.

And then, destiny intervened. In a seemingly ordinary moment, while casually exploring videos on YouTube, I stumbled upon a captivating piece about famous unsolved murders, one murder in particular. Intrigued, I delved deeper into the mystery, and suddenly, inspiration struck. A premise so irresistible and unquenchable was born—a story that demanded to be told. "Bella" emerged from the depths of that online exploration, captivating my imagination and refusing to let go. Through countless drafts, I have been compelled to bring this tale to life, to weave a narrative that will keep readers on the edge of their seats.

Thank you for joining me on this chapter of my writing journey (young as it may be). Together, let us embrace the call of storytelling and embark on an unforgettable expedition through the realms of the supernatural.

Yours eerily,
Blake

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