Writing the spaces between words

Tyler and Hunter came to me through contrast: rival towns, different instincts, and two very different ways of protecting themselves. The story grew in the space between what they knew and what they were ready to admit.

I wanted the Midwest to feel like more than a backdrop. Long roads, school rivalries, familiar faces, and the pressure of being known by everyone can make first love feel both impossible and inevitable.

I’ll use these book notes to share pieces of the drafting process, character discoveries, and the stories behind the story without spoiling what comes next.