The Fireside Reader

Two years ago my mom started writing her debut mystery novel. She had always wanted to write a book, and she was finally doing it. Of course, it had to be a mystery novel. Why? First off, the mystery genre was her favorite form of entertainment. She spent most of her nights watching the Hallmark Mystery Channel, and I grew up watching shows like “Nancy Drew” and “Murder She Wrote” sitting right next to her. Secondly, she wrote and produced two different murder mystery parties for me as a kid.

Not because I asked her to do it, but because she wanted to (I mean I wasn’t complaining). She was destined to write a mystery. She had it all planned out in her head. As she told me parts of the story, I was definitely intrigued. Murder, treasure, action, and romance all play a huge part in her story. She worked day after day on her novel. I couldn’t wait to see how it ended, but tragically, I never saw the result. 

February 21st, 2024 my mom passed away due to a heart complication. She didn’t get to see her dream come true. A few days before she passed she had a few requests for me. The main one? Finish her novel and make it my own. So that’s what I’m doing. Slowly but surely I’m writing and weaving my way through this world my mother created. It’s beautiful. When I’m writing, I feel connected to her. It’s like we meet in a secret world we both have a hand in creating. Sometimes I don’t want to leave. 

Where am I so far in my writing journey? I have 8 full chapters written. It doesn’t sound like a lot, but my mom didn’t give me much to work with. She had thirteen partial chapters written with no details about the ending. Not to mention, she didn’t give me the name of the murderer, but now I know how the story is going to end. People ask me almost daily: 

My mom was going to spend years fleshing out this story on her own, and I want to do it justice. I believe I am doing it justice. I have goals set, and for the most part I’m reaching them. In the end though, what is more important? Getting the story done quickly or making sure it’s done well? Wow, now I feel like a mom lecturing her child. I’ve taken on writing “Secrets of Ravenhill” as a full time job. I promise I’m not dragging my feet. I know friends and family ask me when the book is going to be finished because they want to support me. I’m so grateful for the support. Forgive me for not knowing how to answer questions about the timeline of completion. 

It’s hard to decide how much detailed information to tell others about the book. I’m afraid of giving too many juicy details away. Have you ever watched a fantastic movie for the first time in theaters? Where after you leave, you’re too stunned to speak? I want the reader’s first time reading Ravenhill to feel like that. Have you ever been to a movie where the trailer tells you everything you need to know? Where the climax of the story is revealed before you take your first bite of popcorn? I’m terrified of this. I’ve been hyping up the book for months trying not to give too much away. I want to keep people interested, but also blind as they discover my (and my mom’s) world on their own. 

Where does that leave me now? Well, I hope to introduce you to the characters and locations of Ravenhill throughout this blog. I’m also hoping to post my other works here like poems, short stories, and blogs with other topics. Because my mom gave me the task to finish her novel, she unknowingly unlocked a love of writing. I’m aspiring to be an author. I know I’m new and need to practice. That’s the purpose of this website. Sharing my work is the hardest part of this journey. I know criticism is going to come. I know not everyone will love what I write, but I have to share. For me and for my mom. She is the original driving force behind all of my creations. The great part about this? It’s just the beginning. 

Thank you for checking out my first blog, and thank you for following my journey. Please keep following along to see me make both my mom’s dream and my dream come true. If you want to be notified of when I post, subscribe to my email newsletter on my website’s home page. I love you all.