Writing has always been my therapy. Since a teenager, I found a way to release what I was experiencing in a healthy manner. My early writing was emotional and cold. Angry. It helped me reflect and grow. It helped me heal.

I’m getting ready to release a new book. It breaks my norm. It breaks the pattern I’ve used so far in my other books. It’s scary. It’s exciting. It’s so much more me than anything I’ve published. Have I mentioned that’s scary?

I sometimes get caught up in pleasing the people. Pleasing my audience. I write for me. I need to remember that. Now, that’s not to get confused with lack of gratitude or indifference towards my readers. I love you all (and I don’t use those words loosely). But what kind of writer would I be if I didn’t stay true to myself? If I didn’t give you, the reader, my very best. If I didn’t give you my truth. I would go against everything I stand for.

As I prepare to hit publish, I have doubted sharing this book. It’s easier to keep it to myself. Use it for my own healing and keep it in my own safe box. But then I think that maybe just one of you will read it and connect. Maybe it will help you or you’ll grasp the lesson. Maybe not, and that’s cool.

I’ve considered changing this story, but I wouldn’t stay true to myself. I promised myself I’d be unapologetically me, and publishing Red Lights, Black Hearts as it is is part of that plan.

I write for the love of evoking emotions. I write for you and for me. If I make it easy, there’s no challenge. I love challenges. I feed off of them. I ask that you go into this book with an open mind and heart. Savor the words and emotions. Allow them to seep into your soul and give Samantha a chance. More than anything, I hope you grow and shine like the moon.

xoxo,

Fab