The moment I stepped through the door of Woodland Wellness, I could already feel the Amberlight Apothecary stirring to life. The scent of herbs and candle wax, the way sunlight pooled across the floor, the quiet hum of transformation… it was as if the world I’d written had finally decided to step out of the page and breathe beside us. This enchanting transformation wouldn’t have been possible without my dear friend Ryanna Hendrix, the owner of Woodland Wellness. Her kindness, creativity, and willingness to open her space to our production brought so much heart to this part of the film. I’m endlessly grateful to her for sharing it with us.

Directing is one of those roles that looks glamorous from the outside, but when you’re in the middle of it, it’s equal parts creativity, problem-solving, and trust. Every day on set is full of decisions—some small, some huge—all of which shape how a story comes alive on screen. Today, I want to share a few of my favorite lessons and tools with you—whether you’re a filmmaker yourself, a storyteller curious about the process, or just someone who loves a peek behind the scenes.

When I first stepped into the world of film, I didn’t expect to find myself in the director’s chair. Writing has always been my first love, but directing? That felt like another world entirely. And yet, over time, I’ve discovered how naturally the two roles intertwine. Stories are meant to be seen and felt, not just read—and directing has given me a new way to bring them to life. Today, I want to share a few reflections from my director’s journey so far, in case you’re curious about what it looks like behind the scenes (or secretly dreaming of directing your own stories one day).

Stories are more than words on a page—they are doorways. The Amberlight Valley trilogy was written as an invitation into a world of magick, memory, and transformation. Whether you’re reading The Christmas Witch, traveling Lost in Time, or uncovering The Secrets of Starlight Lake, each book holds space for wonder, grief, friendship, and healing. These book club questions are designed to spark meaningful conversation, offer gentle reflection, and stir up that sense of cozy curiosity that Amberlight Valley was built upon.

There’s a moment in every creative journey when the intangible becomes real… when a story you've held in your heart begins to breathe outside of you. Directing is where that moment lives for me. It’s the bridge between dream and embodiment, and somehow, it still feels like alchemy every single time. Here’s what it’s like to direct through the lens of someone who still can’t quite believe this is real… but knows in her bones it is.

Bringing a story from the page to the screen is no small task—but when the story is full of magic, heart, and wonder, it feels less like work and more like destiny. Here's a little peek behind the scenes of our creative journey adapting The Christmas Witch into a film!

Go behind the scenes of The Christmas Witch and the journey it took to keep creating through criticism, doubt, and unexpected detours. This post is a reflection on resilience, creative growth, and reclaiming your voice—especially when the story doesn’t go as planned.

Hope doesn’t always show up like a sunrise. Sometimes, it’s the tiniest flicker in the fog—a candle lit in a storm. As a storyteller, I return to this theme over and over. Through the journeys of my characters, I explore how we hold on when things fall apart… how we find light again, even when everything feels dim.

In this post, I’m pulling back the curtain on how I approach character development—from their messy beginnings to the conversations they have in their heads, to the arcs that shape their growth across an entire series. Whether you're a writer, a reader, or just someone who’s ever felt changed by a fictional character… this one’s for you.

We’re filming The Christmas Witch right here in Arizona—with snow, sparkle, and all the heartwarming feels intact. But this isn’t just a movie. It’s a love letter to creativity, community, and the power of stories to light up the darkest season. And just like any great tale, we can’t do it alone.