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.
Reviving the Vault: Old Stories, New Spark
Rediscover how revisiting old writing projects can reignite creativity and bring new life to current works-in-progress. In this reflection, author Dalea Faulkner shares how a college short story evolved into a dark fantasy trilogy—and why unfinished ideas are often the ones worth returning to.
A Lake Full of Secrets, and a Cover Full of Clues
This book picks up right after Lost in Time and carries the story deeper into friendship, healing, and hidden memory. The Secrets of Starlight Lake is about the truths we bury… and what happens when they rise. There are portals, sparkling aquamarines, an ancient artifact, and a lake that remembers everything.
Lost in Time: Why I Tell Stories About Memory, Second Chances, and Finding Your Way Back to Yourself
A quiet reflection on time, memory, and second chances—this post explores the meaning behind Lost in Time, why I’m drawn to stories that heal, and who this book was always meant to find.
The Story Behind The Christmas Witch (and What It Took to Keep Creating)
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.
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.