When One Pinterest Image Sparked an Entire Story
Night Shade: How Visual Inspiration Led to My Vampire Romance
I've never been interested in creating character boards. I'd seen other authors with their gorgeous aesthetic collages, but it wasn't something that appealed to me personally. Then someone specifically requested I make a character board on Tumblr, and while reluctantly searching for images, I stumbled across the one that would change everything.
That single Pinterest image sparked Daniella - a character who was both gentle and fierce, beautiful and bold. Independent, self-reliant, and comfortable in her surroundings. Regal in the way she talks, stands straight with her head held high, and has no problem putting anyone who dares to cross her in their place. From her came Night Shade, the first book in what would become the entire Chronicles of The Otherworld: The Vampire War series.
For four years, she'd been secretly in love with Greg, her boss. His charming yet mysterious persona intoxicated her, and though giving into their magnetic chemistry could ignite flames that consume them both, she resisted - until a sinister enemy targeting her forces Gregori to reveal his true nature. He's a vampire, part of a world she never imagined existed, and she is his fated mate.
This whole experience taught me something important about my creative process. I simply cannot go back to a time where I don't, at the very least, curate images for my characters. Sometimes it's challenging, but one thing I've learned that's very prevalent in writing is to listen to your intuition. When I'm scrolling through my feed and an image that looks nothing like the character I'm creating draws me in, I save it. Often when I view it again the next day, it inspires me to have the characters visit that place or fills in a plot hole or important detail in the story.
What Makes This Story Special
If you haven't seen Night Shade yet, here's what you're getting into:
The Story: An age-old vampire war is brewing, and Daniella must embrace her own gifts and decide if she's willing to stand by Gregori's side. She can have a life and build a home with him in The Otherworld, but first she has to figure out how to forgive a man who has lied to her for so long. To love Gregori means being tossed into a world of dangerous secrets and enemies from which there may be no escape.
What You'll Love:
- Strong human witch who doesn't back down
- Billionaire CEO boss with serious vampire vibes
- Dark secrets that actually matter to the plot
- Fated mates who have to work for their happy ending
- Friends to lovers with real emotional stakes
- Morally gray couple making difficult choices
- Touch her/him and die energy throughout
I really wanted to explore the idea that even when you're destined to be together, the relationship still requires work, communication, and forgiveness. Daniella's journey isn't just about accepting the supernatural world - it's about deciding what she's willing to fight for.
Content Note: This story contains mentions of physical, emotional, mental, and sexual abuse, drug use, suicide, violence, explicit language, sexually explicit scenes, and blood drinking. There is also one magical dub-con scene in the first chapter.
Writing Night Shade reminded me why I love paranormal romance so much. You get all the emotional complexity of contemporary romance, but you can also explore themes of power, identity, and belonging through the supernatural elements. Plus, vampires are just fun to write.
If this sounds like your kind of story, you can find Night Shade here.