Dalea’s Blog.
Step into a realm where storytelling, creativity, and soul meet.
On this blog, you’ll find behind-the-scenes insights from my books and movies—including The Christmas Witch, Lost in Time, and the ever-expanding Amberlight Valley universe. I share writing tips, character deep dives, world-building secrets, personal reflections on creativity and healing, and updates on film festival journeys and screenplay adaptations. Expect cozy magic, mythic themes, seasonal rituals, and musings on what it means to be a neurodivergent creative navigating life with heart.
Whether you’re a reader, writer, dreamer, or filmmaker, there’s a spark here for you.
Amberlight Valley Favorites: Show Low Film Festival
One of my very favorite events each autumn is the Show Low Film Festival, a celebration of storytelling that brings filmmakers from around the world right here to our mountain town. Each October, our theaters fill with new voices, fresh perspectives, and stories you won’t find on streaming platforms. And what makes it even more special? This festival is born out of love… love for film, for connection, and for our White Mountain community. I thought I’d share a little behind-the-scenes look at the festival, along with reasons you’ll want to join us whether you’re a filmmaker or simply a lover of good stories.
Directing Magick: What It Feels Like to Bring a World to Life on Set
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.
Juggling the Impossible: How I Balance Creativity with Family Life (Kind Of)
Let me start by being honest: I don’t actually feel like I balance anything. Not in the color-coded, Pinterest-perfect kind of way. More often than not, I feel like I’m dancing between worlds… one moment writing dialogue in my head, the next remembering I forgot to thaw the chicken. I hyperfocus on my projects (especially when I’m in deep creative mode like filming), and when that happens… everything else drops.
Behind the Scenes of ‘The Christmas Witch Movie’
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!
Creating Characters Who Feel Real: A Writer’s Guide
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.
From Page to Screen: The Christmas Witch Comes to Life
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.