The Story I’m Meant To Write
It's been a lifelong dream to write a novel. For years and years, I’ve searched for inspiration. I wanted my first novel to be something personal, yet exciting! No storyline ever felt quite good enough—until now.
As a longtime journalist and corporate communications professional, writing has always been at the heart of what I do. I’ve loved the challenge of crafting stories that inform and connect with people. But I’ve also dreamed of writing something deeply personal—something that sparks curiosity, transports readers to another time, and brings history to life in a way they can truly feel.
The funny thing is, the inspiration I’ve been searching for has been right in front of me all along, tucked away in the remote forests of Northwest Montana.
For years, my family and I have escaped to cabins hidden deep in that wild, untamed landscape. There’s something about being surrounded by the lodgepole pines, glacier-carved lakes, and skies that seem to stretch forever that brings me back to life. These trips have always felt like stepping back in time, into a world far removed from the fast-paced one we've come to know.
It was on one of those trips that I began to imagine the lives of the people who came here before us—Montana’s early homesteaders. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, men and women risked everything—their life savings, even their lives—to carve out a life in some of the most unforgiving, yet breathtaking, land in America. They left behind everything they knew for the promise of opportunity, for the hope of a better future for their families.
Their sacrifices, their resilience, their determination—it’s impossible not to feel humbled and inspired by what they endured. Those pioneers lived through harsh winters, battled isolation, and worked tirelessly to tame the land, all while holding onto their dreams of building something that could last generations.
Now, I’m turning that inspiration into my debut novel. My first book is inspired by true events and will follow the lives of homesteaders in early 1900s Montana. This novel is my way of honoring the incredible work these homesteaders did and the legacies they left behind. I'll be "solving" a mystery that—to this day—puzzles visitors of one of my favorite homesteader cabins. I'm excited to transport readers to a time and place we will never be able to get to on a plane.
This story feels deeply personal—not just because of my own connection to the area, but because of what these pioneers represent. They remind us of what it means to take risks, to embrace uncertainty, and to hold on to hope, even when the odds are stacked against us.
While I can’t give away the exact location that has inspired me (it’s too special and still so untouched), my goal is to bring its spirit to life on the page. I want to share the beauty, the challenges, and the heartbreak of those homesteaders with readers in a way that feels authentic and true to their experiences.
This novel is my way of stepping out of my comfort zone—of finally turning my journalism background and communications experience into something I’ve always dreamed of doing. Writing a book is scary, but it’s also exhilarating. I’m so excited to bring this story to life and share it with the world.
For those of you who have ever dreamed of taking a leap, of chasing something that feels bigger than yourself, let this be a reminder: it’s never too late to begin.