My Journey

If you’d told me five years ago that I’d return to the writing world with a sci-fi romance series about bioluminescent aliens, enslaved rebellion fighters, and sacred blood bonds, I would’ve cackled into my third cup of coffee and pointed at the stack of LGBTQ+ erotic romance paperbacks on my nightstand. Back then, I was publishing under the name Evie Drae, writing steamy contemporary male/male romance packed with emotional angst, complex characters, and enough heat to melt a Kindle.

But then… life happened.

After three published novels, multiple contest wins, and even a #1 Amazon bestseller banner in four separate categories, I hit a wall. A few major life events knocked the wind out of me, and just like that, my writing flame flickered out. I took a step back. Then another. Until what was once a blazing passion became a faint glimmer I couldn’t quite find again.

For years, I let that glimmer fade.

And then, out of nowhere, I found myself drawn back to an idea I’d been toying with on and off for over a decade. Something part fantasy, part sci-fi, part rebellion epic, and fully romantic. It started as a vampire series (shocking no one who knows me) and somewhere along the line picked up a dystopian political thread, a rebellion arc, and a whole lot of galaxy-spanning heartache. It refused to sit quietly in the back of my mind. It grew teeth.

Before I knew it, I was scribbling in notebooks again. Worldbuilding. Mapping class systems. Drawing tattoo designs and chip schematics. Reimagining my original fantasy romance premise into a new beast entirely. One with glowing tattoos, mind-control chips, fierce found family, and six deeply emotional love stories.

I didn’t plan to switch genres. I didn’t plan to abandon my pen name or start a whole new brand.

But I did fall in love again.

With my characters. With the words. With storytelling itself.

And this time? I’m writing under my real name. With every bit of passion, weirdness, grit, and heart I have to give.

If there’s one thing I hope you take away from my journey—whether you’re a writer, reader, artist, or just someone trying to chase a spark—it’s this:

Do the thing because it sets you on fire. Writing, for me, has always been about passion. About the joy of worldbuilding, character-crafting, and chasing those lightning-strike moments of inspiration. If what you love starts feeling like a chore more often than not, that doesn’t mean you’re a failure. It just might mean it’s time to shake things up—change genres, switch projects, write for yourself again instead of chasing what you think the market wants.

Don’t compare your beginning to someone else’s middle. I’ve written more rough drafts than I can count. Some I wouldn’t even read alone, in the dark—because, wow, the cringe factor is just so real. But each one taught me something. Each one got me closer to where I needed to be. Even if I’ll never read them again, I’ll be keeping them around as the reminder they are of just how far I’ve come—and just how hard I fought to get there.

Publishing paths aren’t linear. I started off traditionally published, then chose to self-publish when the tides changed. Now I’m returning with a whole new voice and vision, under my real name, in a genre I never thought I’d have the guts to pursue. Every season in my career has looked different—and that’s okay.

So if you’re staring at a blinking cursor, or struggling to find your creative groove again, know this: your story isn’t over. You’re not behind. Keep showing up. Keep writing (or painting, coding, parenting, baking—whatever lights your fire). Finish the thing, even if it’s messy. Especially if it’s messy.

You might just find that the version of you on the other side is stronger, wiser, and ready to take the step that finally lands you at the finish line.

My new series, Ashes of Aekos, isn’t just a return to writing for me. It’s a resurrection. Of my joy. Of my voice. Of the stories that have lived inside me for years, just waiting to be told.

So if you’re into slow-burn sci-fi romance, broken heroes with heart, fierce heroines who don’t flinch from fire, and soul-deep love stories that rise from the wreckage?

Buckle up, darling. It’s gonna be a hell of a ride.