Inspiration behind The Potential of Heartbreak

Years ago I had a dream about a bookshop in Spain, where a lovely old woman hung roses from the ceiling and delved into the books she so admired — literally. When I awoke, I started to dictate the dream in my journal and that’s where it sat for years.

Fast forward, I moved to Hawaii for a few months after graduating college to work at an animal sanctuary. While there, I decided to journal every single morning to talk about my feelings, to work through struggles, and to bring clarity to my mind. Somewhere along the way I began writing an alternate reality — the way I wish things had gone, or a more exciting version of events. Then I started adding different character, different plots, and The Potential of Heartbreak started to take form.

I’d like to clarify that I am not Everly and Everly is not me — this is incredibly important as my Grandma was reading the book and envisioning me… so awkward.

However! Everly is inspired by me in looks, demeanor, and some experiences. But I am also inspired by Everly. The writing process is truly incredible, I never planned out where the story would go, what would happen, or the new characters that came in. It all happened as I wrote. I would scream at my computer as I was writing because the characters would do something stupid or there was a plot twist that even I didn’t see coming!

It has been one of the greatest privileges of my life to learn from my characters. And believe me, there will be more to come —