Diving Into My Creative Process: The Journey Behind Far From Oz

When I first began writing Far From Oz in 2012, I didn’t realize how deeply the story would mirror my own journey of growth and healing. The series was inspired by some of my favorite classic tales—The Wizard of Oz, Neverland, and Alice Through the Looking Glass. Each of these stories explores transformation, courage, and the process of overcoming hardship. I wanted to take those timeless themes and reimagine them through characters who struggle with their own inner darkness—trauma, grief, and self-doubt.

In my world, the Darkness isn’t just a metaphor—it’s a real entity that haunts the characters, much like our own shadows haunt us. It represents the parts of ourselves we often try to ignore but must ultimately face in order to grow.

When I decided to turn this concept into a novella series, it was partly inspired by conversations with readers who struggle to focus on longer novels. I wanted each story to be the perfect balance—not too long to lose interest, and not too short to feel unfinished. The feedback has been incredible. I’ve connected with so many people who’ve shared how the story helped them reflect on their own silent battles with trauma.

Writing Far From Oz has been a deeply personal and sensitive project. I self-published the first version in 2018, but after some time, I took it down to rework and refine it. Back then, I relied mostly on Microsoft Word and Canva for formatting and design. Over the years, I’ve grown alongside the story—learning new tools like Microsoft Creator, expanding my design skills, and even using ChatGPT to help with editing, brainstorming, and exploring my characters’ emotional depth.

After finally completing Far From Oz and feeling truly satisfied with both the story and the cover design, I republished it. Soon after came Falling From Neverland, and now I’m about 14,000 words into Free From the Looking Glass.

I’ve taken a small step back from the series recently to focus on learning more about marketing and to collaborate with my daughter on a new children’s book series. Still, the world of Far From Oz continues to live in my mind, waiting for the right moment to return.

Another area I’ve rediscovered is creating promo trailers. When I first started, I used a simple movie maker on my laptop—but today, tools like Canva make it so much easier to bring imagination to life. The growth of creative technology has given me new ways to share my stories visually and emotionally.

---

Above is the link to my first promo trailer

Click the link to find my book on Amazon https://a.co/d/aAnas6a