There’s a popular saying in writing: “Write what you know.” For me, that means grounding my stories in my Catholic faith, my experience as a mother, and the literary influences that have shaped my imagination for years. When I began writing Adventures in Oculus, I drew deeply from the works of authors like C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien—masters of blending adventure, moral complexity, and deep spiritual truths. Their influence runs through every part of my writing, and their ability to intertwine grand adventure with timeless values has been a guiding light in creating my own stories.
In Adventures in Oculus, the themes of hope, redemption, and the triumph of light over darkness are all central to both my faith and the works of my favorite authors. Much like Lewis’s Chronicles of Narnia, I wanted to create a world where magic and wonder serve as a backdrop to a deeper exploration of faith and growth. In the first book, Dominic’s journey is filled with challenges and dangers, but his friendships with characters like Barnabus the yeti and Buckle Boots the pirate reflect the importance of community, much like the Fellowship in Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings. These friendships give Dominic the courage to face his trials, and in many ways, reflect the support we find in our own lives when guided by faith.
C.S. Lewis’s work in particular has been a huge inspiration, especially in the way he uses allegory to bring out deeper truths. In Adventures in Oculus, I’ve woven elements of my Catholic beliefs throughout the story. The magical closet Dominic steps through can be seen as a metaphor for stepping into the unknown, trusting in a higher power to guide the way, much like the journeys in Lewis’s Narnia series. The way Tolkien seamlessly wove themes of sacrifice, hope, and redemption into his epic tales inspired me to do the same, showing how faith can play a role in even the most fantastical of worlds.
Beyond my literary influences, motherhood has also played a powerful role in shaping my stories. In the first book, Dominic is supported by his friends Barnabus and Buckle Boots, much like Lewis’s and Tolkien’s characters who rely on the strength of their companions. However, his mother’s love is a quiet but ever-present force in the background, guiding him in ways that aren’t always obvious. As a mother myself, I know the power of that kind of love—the kind that protects, nurtures, and sacrifices. Writing this series allowed me to share that part of my life, reflecting how a mother’s love, rooted in faith, provides strength even when it isn’t always seen.
In my upcoming book, Firedrake, Dominic’s mother steps into a much more prominent role. Her love, guidance, and sacrifices become central to the story, and you’ll see how her faith shapes Dominic’s path in profound ways. The themes of sacrifice, redemption, and the battle between good and evil, which were key elements in both Lewis’s and Tolkien’s works, play an even larger role as Dominic faces new challenges. The fire imagery throughout the book symbolizes both destruction and purification, mirroring not only the external battles Dominic faces but also his internal growth and the strength he draws from his mother’s love.
Writing Adventures in Oculus and Firedrake has been a way for me to weave together the things I hold dear—my faith, my role as a mother, and the influence of authors who have shaped my love of storytelling. C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien have shown me how stories can be both entertaining and profound, offering readers both adventure and moral reflection. I hope that readers of my series will find the same kind of inspiration, courage, and hope in Dominic’s journey, and that the themes of love, faith, and redemption will resonate with them long after they’ve turned the final page.