So this book is about cats?

Yes, yes, and I know what you’re thinking. But animal personification really is an art and I’ve always loved reading books like Green Ember (By S. D. Smith) and The Guardian Herd (By Jennifer Lynn Alvarez). In these kinds of books, these animals aren’t just animals. They carry with them souls, hearts, emotions, and morals. They have drive and passion, and beliefs about themselves and the world. Through these characters, essentially tools, a story is crafted.

In my book “The Euphoria: Outcast”, Nebula lives in a tribe of cats within drawn boundaries. They have rules, beliefs, and occupations for the different characters. They have mindsets, thought processes, and struggles just like human beings. Just like you and I. So don’t say no just because of a feline theme. These characters have a story, just as much as you have your own story.

How old were you when you started writing?

I was about 10 years old when I really got serious about writing stories. I didn’t know much about it then, but sure did my best to articulate my stories onto a digital computer screen. Since then I’ve come up with many different stories with many different themes, all of which I’m passionate about and would love to share with you all when the time comes. 

What are your values?

My favorite themes in stories are ones of redemption, friendship, forgiveness, loyalty, and love. Characters facing trials and tribulations, sure, battling fear, doubt, anger, grief, and shame, but then rising, stepping into who they were always destined to be. These characters certainly don’t have a walk in the park, but in the end they walk away from that mountain they climbed with more than they could ever have achieved before. Learning to let go. Learning to love again. Learning to dream again. 

I also believe in a higher power, and that is Jesus Christ. I believe that the love of God is actively pursuing all our hearts, and I believe that my God is the same God He was when became flesh and walked the earth, and that will never change.

How did you come up with Nebula, the protagonist in this novel?

It’s actually a pretty funny story. I was sitting in church one day, and y’know, I’m one of those people who’ll doodle during the sermon to keep myself occupied, it helps me absorb the teaching better. That’s when it happened, and on that sketchbook page a character began to take shape. She was colorless and my drawing skills were not top tier, but there was so much potential. When I got home it took me forever to figure out design, markings, fur, skin, and eye color. But I finally decided, and all at once there was this brand new, blank canvas of a character taking shape. In my pass time I also liked listening to music. Well, I listened to a song shortly after, and when I closed my eyes I could see a whole story and climax playing out in my head. That was years ago, but to this day I still vaguely remember how it went. Here I am now, 2024, with an entire novel written and a sequel in the works. Incredible, right? I can hardly believe it myself!