By Influences come from all around us—books, authors, music, movies, even the whispers of the past. Some leave a mark so deep they shape the very core of who we are as writers.
For me, it all started with The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton. That book didn’t just tell a story; it changed me. It opened my eyes to how words could breathe life into emotions, pull readers into worlds, and make them feel something real. From that moment on, I knew I wanted to be more than just a reader—I wanted to be a storyteller.
From Poetry to Fiction: My Evolution
My literary journey led me from poetry—where Robert Frost, Walt Whitman, and Edgar Allan Poe fueled my love for rhythm and metaphor—to fiction, where I found inspiration in the intricate plots of Dan Brown, the heart-pounding thrillers of James Patterson, and the espionage of Robert Ludlum. But recently, my creative compass has been pointing toward the supernatural.
Urban Fantasy & the Birth of Shadows of Allegiance
The supernatural realm of storytelling has always fascinated me. TV shows like Supernatural, Lucifer, and Wynonna Earp—and movies like Jonah Hex—pushed me toward speculative fiction. I’ve found myself drawn to the world of angels, demons, and the thin line between good and evil. That passion led to my upcoming novel, Shadows of Allegiance.
Synopsis from Shadows of Allegiance
Boston is a city of history and secrets, where the past lingers in every alleyway—and some shadows are more than just tricks of the light.
Kage is a paramedic with a dangerous secret. As a half-demon Angel of Vengeance, he walks a razor-thin line between saving lives and giving in to the darkness within. Partnered with the fierce and unshakable Tara, he responds to calls that range from routine emergencies to supernatural horrors hidden beneath the city’s surface. But when his former partner, Kai, resurfaces, Kage is forced to confront the past he’s tried to bury.
As old wounds are reopened and supernatural threats close in, his fragile control begins to crack.
With the fate of his found family—and his own soul—on the line, Kage must decide if he will fight the darkness or become it.
Shadows of Allegiance is a pulse-pounding urban fantasy filled with electrifying action, forbidden romance, and a battle for redemption where the lines between good and evil blur with every heartbeat.
The Takeaway
Influences evolve as we grow, and stepping beyond our comfort zones as writers opens the door to unexpected creativity. From poetry to thriller, historical fiction to urban fantasy—I’m still discovering the stories that are waiting to be told.
What’s influenced your writing? Drop a comment below!
Read more of my #March of the Writers Posts.