Much of my inspiration came from adventures with my family, especially since our move from a cozy Ohio farmhouse to our northern Michigan haven. The woods, the water, and the wild places here have shaped my stories in ways I never expected. I’ve drawn so much inspiration from the endless trails, towering forests, lapping waves, lighthouses, starry skies and rolling fields.

But what inspired my book even more was actually the bible verse, "The plans of the heart belong to man, but the path of man is decided by the Lord." That was essentially what I based my entire story off of. Everything Autumn does in the stories is her learning that the hard way. She tries to make things happen in her own way and in her own time, but the Creator (God) teaches her to trust in him and his plans ... which is the ultimate plan. I relate to that Bible verse a lot actually, as an ambitious young artist, entrepreneur and author. I often have big dreams that I want to happen a certain way, but I often have to remind myself to leave room for Jesus to work things out the way they're supposed to go.

I have to remember that his timing is perfect.

Yes, of course! Fernhaven Rising is the first in the trilogy, but I may continue to write other stories in the same world of the Fernshade Forest and the lands beyond.

One of my favorite things about my writing is weaving Jesus into my work-sometimes boldly, sometimes softly-so that readers can glimpse His love even if they don’t know it yet by name. I create to bring some light into this world and to offer the same spark of inspiration that so many others have given me. Ultimately, every word and brushstroke is an attempt to bring glory to my Creator, who so carefully crafted me and this beautiful world I get to live in.

One of my favorites is when Lark gets in the fight and Fern says to Autumn:

"You didn't let him do anything. Lark's got the self-preservation skills of a squirrel in a thunderstorm."

Even now I can't help but laugh, remembering the scene.

Ooo this is a really hard question. I love any of the interactions between Autumn and Lark (especially once they're friends) and I just love the scene after Lark gets in a fight in chapter twenty-two. Their dialogue afterwards is so funny (to me at least haha).

But honestly I'm going to have to say any of the conversations Autumn has with her papa, especially after she learns about his secret. They were always so gut-wrenching for me to write and they're so moving as someone who has always tried to make her parents proud.

My favorite books include "The Chronicles of Narnia" by C.S Lewis, "Rise of the Livingwood" by my good friend Kylie Beevers, "Redwall" by Brian Jaqques, and "The Hagenheim Series" by Melanie Dickerson.

A lot of these books (especially Redwall and Rise of the Livingwood) inspired my own books with their animal protagonists.

Favorite movie is harder, but right now it's "Highway to Heaven".

That's a tricky question! Of course I love Autumn and I see a lot of myself in her and the way she acts, and I really love writing Lark because he's so emotionally complex.

But I just really love writing Moss. He's so fun to write and I just love his personality. I always find myself laughing at anything I've had him say. Especially the scene at the campfire with Autumn's papa in chapter twenty-five (if you know, you know).

I've read a lot of books (believe me) and my favorite genre is anthropomorphic protagonists. But unfortunately, in my search for books with such protagonists, I've only found a handful of good ones that I truly enjoy. Below are some that I read and influenced my own stories in some way!

Rise of the Livingwood (The Livingwood Chronicles) - By Kylie Beevers: Rise of the Livingwood has been the most influential book (for my own series) that I've read. I have the honor of knowing the amazing author herself, and her books have become some of my favorites. I absolutely adore that she featured foxes as her protagonists and I was so inspired by the way she wove Jesus into her writing that I knew I had to do the same for my own.

Redwall - By Brian Jacques: Redwall inspired me with all the cozy vibes in it. From the fact that the series has woodland creatures living in an abbey, to the detailed feasts and celebrations they throw. I also enjoy the way each of the types of creatures have their own form of speech and accents.

Warriors - Erin Hunter: I drew inspiration from this series, merely from the concept of "clans" or warring groups of creatures. Instead of clans of cats like in her's, it's clans of creatures grouped by type in mine.

I would highly recommend all of these to anyone who enjoyed my book or like fiction with animal protagonists!!