I learned to let characters write the story through X-Files fan fiction, but the real breakthrough came with Leila—a complex figure I crafted to rewrite a plot I hated. My trick? Work backward from the plot to uncover who they are and why they matter. Here’s how I turned a fandom spark into a universe of my own.

Writer’s block has haunted me more times than I’d like to admit—a struggle I see echoed across Twitter by authors everywhere. From losing my spark after David Bowie’s death to finding it again through a chance meeting with an actor, I’ve learned there’s no quick fix. For me, it’s all about waiting for the muse to return, whether sparked by a photograph or time itself. My journey from stalled creativity to finishing novels like Birthright: Acquisition (on sale now) proves it: time heals writer’s block, even if forcing it only leads to trash I can’t stand.