Makitia Thompson's Blog, page 6

🔪The Killer across the Street: A letter from the killer himself

 

To the Families, the Survivors, and the Screaming Public

You’re still crying, aren’t you?

Still lighting your little candles, clutching onto old photos, and muttering prayers to a God you barely listened to when you had the chance. Pathetic. You all act as if you didn’t see this coming—like monsters aren’t born in your neighborhoods every single day. The only difference between me and every other man on your street is that I didn’t pretend to be something I’m not.

I did what needed to be done.

Your daughters, sisters, and mothers didn’t listen. They talked back. They disrespected me. They forgot their place. And in my house, under my roof, that’s not just unacceptable—it’s unforgivable. I didn’t marry equals. I didn’t ask for opinions. I took in women to serve a role. And when they failed, I did what a real man does. I ended the problem.

You can call it murder. I call it correction.

None of you understand the weight men carry when we allow women to run their mouths and run our homes into the ground. You say you loved those women I buried—then where were you when they were breaking vows? Where were you when they were poisoning my children against me? You weren’t there. You were busy playing pretend, living in a world where “boundaries” and “choices” matter more than structure and respect.

Your outrage now is nothing but a performance.

Do I regret it? No. Not a single face haunts me. Not even the little ones. Especially not them. If anything, I regret not going further. Not getting rid of more of you who walk around pretending to be decent while hiding behind your weak little morals. You think you know evil? You wouldn’t recognize it if it married your daughter and sat at your dinner table—until it decided you were no longer necessary.

I was a good man. I provided. I protected. I punished when punishment was due.

And now that I’ve finally told the truth, you still don’t get it. You think this confession means guilt. It doesn’t. It means I’ve won. Because now you have to live with the fact that you never saw it. That I shook your hands, I smiled in your faces, and while you were thanking me for being a “good neighbor,” I was already deciding who deserved to go next.

You don’t want justice. You want a bedtime story to tell yourself that monsters always get caught.

But guess what? The monster lived across the street. And he got away with it for 44 years.

Sincerely,
Gregg Thorton
Husband. Father. Killer.
And still, the smartest man in the room.

🎙️An Author Q&A with Makitia Thompson on Choosing to Remember

 

In this raw and revealing interview, Makitia Thompson opens up about her emotionally charged book series Choosing to Remember. Centered on the intersection of identity, trauma, and truth, this series unearths what happens when people spend their lives hiding—only to discover that healing begins where pretending ends. From Caged Pride to Dying in the Spotlight, each book dissects the costs of silence, the necessity of pain, and the liberating power of living out loud.

1. Why did you feel Choosing to Remember was a necessary series to write?

I felt this series was important because we live in a world where people are often made to feel like their true selves aren't enough—that it would be better for everybody if they were someone else. So many people have suppressed themselves for acceptance, spending their entire lives pretending to be happy just so people judge them a bit less. They're fighting for acceptance that isn’t genuine, that holds no value, because the people giving it don’t actually care. I want people to understand how meaningless it is to live for someone else. How miserable it is to sacrifice your freedom for someone else's comfort. This series says society shouldn't be the deciding factor in your decision to live.

2. What does this series say about trauma?

My stories show that trauma has no one form. It can make someone the best version of themselves—or the absolute worst. Some people use it to thrive later in life, while others aren’t able to escape the pain. These books are meant to show that there is no single way to deal with trauma, no “right” way to handle your pain—and unfortunately, no handbook.

I write to offer clarity in moments when it feels impossible to think straight. I want readers to know they’re not alone in their struggles. Though my characters are fictional, the pain behind them is real—some of it mine, some of it borrowed from others who’ve trusted me with their truths. I also wanted to show how trauma, when left unchecked, can negatively shape your identity. Jerome, for example, carried his trauma for decades and could barely recognize himself. Trauma doesn’t have to be your enemy—but you do have to face it.

3. How do the characters in the series reflect the spectrum of healing?

This series shows both the benefits and losses healing can bring. When you begin healing, you stop living for others. You start waking up without that constant weight of making everyone else comfortable. You find peace in no longer hiding.

But when you don’t heal—or wait too long—you lose yourself. Caged Pride shows how Jerome nearly lost everything before he finally took his life back. Dying in the Spotlight shows Joddelyn beginning her healing journey too late to save her sister. She finds her own strength but carries deep regret. And Criminal Plague shows what happens when you deny your trauma altogether—Michelle’s downfall is proof that pretending can be a person’s end.

Healing isn’t always joyful. It doesn’t always come with a reward. But it’s always necessary. This series is a road map of the many outcomes trauma can lead to.

4. Why did you choose Jerome’s story to start the series?

I chose Jerome as the first story because sexuality is constantly a topic of debate, especially right now. I wanted to highlight a side of that conversation that’s often ignored. In the Black community, gay men aren’t accepted as they should be. People are far too comfortable belittling them or pretending they don’t exist.

Jerome’s journey is traumatic, overlooked, honest, and deeply necessary. I didn’t want to ease into the series—I wanted to hit the ground running and confront everything head-on. Caged Pride gives voice to the countless gay Black men forced to suffer in silence. Jerome’s voice is theirs, and this time, it’s loud and clear.

5. How did the series change as you started writing it?

At first, I wanted the series to be a collection of stories about people with trauma finding healing. But I realized that would feel repetitive and not very truthful. So I changed course. Now, some characters refuse to heal, others try to heal too late, and a few still find joy without ever healing at all.

That’s because healing isn’t simple. It doesn’t guarantee a better life. I want this series to reflect that brutal honesty—that trauma sometimes wins. That not everyone gets the happy ending. Some people break. Some people pretend forever. Some people never change and still win. It’s a harsh truth, but one that deserves to be written.

6. What does Joddelyn’s story in Dying in the Spotlight add to the series?

Joddelyn shows how dangerous it is to welcome trauma for personal gain. She invited pain into her life for the spotlight. She suppressed everything that made her human, just for attention, fame, and a little control. And it ruined her.

The core message of this series is that any amount of gain isn’t worth the cost of your soul. No fame, no fortune, no applause is worth lifelong pain. Joddelyn is the girl who gave it all away—her voice, her sanity, her sister—just to be seen. She wanted light but ended up consumed by it.

7. What does identity mean in the world of Choosing to Remember?

Identity in this world means sacrifice—because you can’t have it all and still be your whole self. Somebody’s not going to like who you are. You’ll lose people. You’ll miss out on jobs and opportunities. But you’ll gain your freedom.

Identity also means power—power to stop performing, to stop caring what others want from you, to stop lying. Jerome took back that power when he stopped hiding his sexuality. Joddelyn took it back after everything else was gone. Michelle, on the other hand, gave her power away by refusing to accept she even needed it.

8. Why is the choice between surviving and telling the truth so difficult?

Because both choices come with loss. When you choose to “survive” by pretending, you get fake affection, performative friendships, and a seat at someone else’s table. But you lose yourself in the process.

Choosing the truth frees you, but it costs you comfort. You lose people you thought you couldn’t live without. You’ll want to go back sometimes. You’ll grieve. But at least that grief is real. At least you’re not grieving in silence, pretending you’re fine.

This series is about choosing what kind of pain you want—the kind that breaks you slowly, or the kind that leads to peace.

9. What does remembering mean for your characters?

Remembering means unlocking what they’ve spent their lives trying to bury. It means opening the door to pain and finally seeing what’s behind it. For these characters, remembering is a painful act of power. They’re finally identifying the problem so they can identify themselves.

They are reclaiming strength they gave away over and over again. It hurts—but healing always does. You don’t grow without hurting first. These characters are choosing to remember so that they can finally stop pretending. And that’s where the real healing begins.

Author’s Note from Makitia Thompson

Writing the Choosing to Remember series has been the most vulnerable and personal creative experience of my life. These aren’t just stories—they’re reflections of truth. Of the pain we carry, the masks we wear, the choices we regret, and the hope we still fight for.

Every character in this series was born out of something real—either something I’ve felt, something I’ve seen, or something someone trusted me enough to share. I didn’t want to sugarcoat healing or glamorize trauma. I wanted to write the messy middle. The uncomfortable in-between. The silence between “I’m fine” and “I need help.” Because that’s where a lot of us live.

If you’ve ever felt like hiding was the only way to survive... these stories are for you. If you’ve ever sacrificed your truth to protect someone else’s comfort, or stayed quiet to avoid rejection, I hope you know this: you deserve to be fully seen. You deserve to be heard. And no one’s opinion is more important than your peace.

Thank you for taking the time to explore this journey with me. I hope these books remind you that you’re not alone—and that remembering, while painful, is always the first step toward healing.

With honesty and heart,
Makitia 

🌈 Caged Pride | Pride Month Author Q&A

 

An Intimate Look at Identity, Truth, and Self-Freedom

Makitia Thompson opens up about the deeply personal themes behind Caged Pride, a haunting story of survival, shame, and self-liberation. In honor of Pride Month, she reflects on Jerome Clarkson’s story—a man whose silence nearly cost him everything—and how this fictional journey reflects real struggles still endured by many in the LGBTQIA+ community.

1. What inspired you to write Jerome’s story in Caged Pride?

I wanted to create a story that had less to do with drama influencing a person's behaviour and more to do with fear. Jerome was scared to be open with himself because he thought it would hurt his mother. His mother had been in a toxic relationship with a man—Jerome’s father—who had been secretly gay, and she transferred her heartbreak and anger onto gay men in general.

So when Jerome realised his sexuality, he already knew how she would react. Caged Pride is about people who live a lie to keep others comfortable, even when it destroys them. I also needed this story to exist because society still shows hypocrisy—being more tolerant of gay women than gay men. I wanted to speak directly to that.

2. What did you want to say about conformity through Jerome’s marriage?

I wanted to show not only how depressed and lost Jerome was, but how miserable the people around him were. He and his wife Pauletta married straight out of high school. She suspected, and eventually knew, that Jerome wasn’t truly in love with her—but both of them felt stuck.

They thought it would be selfish to leave when in fact, honesty would’ve been the most selfless act. Through Jerome, I wanted to say that conformity doesn’t work for anyone. It makes the conformer miserable, and the people it’s meant to protect know it’s not real. So none of it matters.

3. What does the title Caged Pride mean to you?

It’s about a bird trapped inside a house, never able to fly or fulfill its purpose. Jerome is the bird—his true self is locked away so he doesn't upset his mother. But by doing that, he’s unable to feel joy. He forgets who he is. The “cage” is made of shame, fear, and the pressure to be what others expect.

4. How does shame play into Jerome’s identity struggle?

Jerome carried shame for being like his father—a man who couldn’t commit and used women to hide his true self. Even though Jerome’s life looked different, he felt that loving a man would make him just as “bad” as the man who hurt his mother.

His mother punished him emotionally for reminding her of his father. And his father, even without saying a word, made being gay look shameful just by how openly he lied to cover it. So both parents passed that shame down, and Jerome held it like a curse.

5. Why was it important that Jerome was a Black man?

Because there’s a specific kind of homophobia Black men face. I’ve seen it in real life—in my family and community. Gay Black men are often told they aren’t “real men.” Femininity is denied to them in a way that cuts deep.

This book comes from experience. Not because Jerome is me, but because I’ve seen how damaging these ideas are. I needed to write a story that says: Black men can be soft, emotional, vulnerable, and they deserve to be loved fully and freely.

6. What role does Bradley play in Jerome’s growth?

Bradley is the man who finally showed Jerome what it looks like to live in truth. He’s openly gay and proud. That made Jerome want to stop hiding. At this point in life, Jerome is tired. His wife is in love with someone else, his kids are mostly grown, and he’s been working for the affection of a mother who never gave it freely.

Bradley doesn’t just awaken Jerome sexually—he awakens Jerome’s understanding that life is meant to be lived, not endured. That was the final push Jerome needed to break free.

7. What does Jerome’s marriage to Pauletta teach us?

Their marriage is about desperate love. Pauletta wanted a family so badly she accepted a man who couldn’t love her. Jerome wanted his mother’s love so badly he married someone he didn’t love.

They never truly talked. Never connected. Their marriage shows how dangerous it is to live for someone else—and how wasteful it is to give your life to someone when you don’t even know who you are.

8. What does Caged Pride say about childhood trauma?

That pain doesn’t leave just because you pretend it’s not there. I wanted to show that trauma sticks to you like glue—and hiding it doesn’t make it disappear. Jerome grew up without love, and that taught him to believe he wasn’t worthy of being loved.

He represents what happens when trauma isn’t faced—it grows with you. It ages with you. Caged Pride is a warning: sweep your pain under the rug, and it’ll rise like dust in every corner of your life.

9. What do you hope this story gives to queer readers—especially those still hiding?

I want them to see Jerome and understand: you deserve freedom. You deserve to be loved for who you are, not who someone wants you to be. I hope they see that hiding who you are might keep others comfortable, but it’ll keep you in pain.

Let go of the people who expect you to suffer for their comfort. Don’t wait too long—because not everyone gets the chance to find happiness if they keep putting it off.

10. What would you say to someone about to read Caged Pride for the first time?

Prepare to not have all the answers. You might not understand why someone would live a lie for so long, or why others enable it—but that’s the truth of life for many people.

There is no neat explanation for why someone hides who they are. But what I can say is: by the time you finish reading, you’ll understand what it costs to stay in that cage—and why breaking free is the most powerful thing you can ever do.

🖤 A Message for Pride Month:

“You don’t owe anyone your pain. You don’t have to shrink for people who refuse to grow. Let yourself out of the cage—even if your voice shakes when you do it.” —Makitia Thompson

📝 M.I.D Newsletter: issue #1

 

🧠 The M.I.D Newsletter
— Minds In Design —
Issue #1: Welcome to the Beginning

From Makitia’s Desk

Hey friends,
Welcome to the very first issue of The M.I.D Newsletters! I’m so glad you’re here. Whether you’ve just discovered my work or have been following along from the start, this space is where I’ll share my creative journey—honestly, personally, and with purpose.

Minds In Design isn’t just a name—it’s what drives me. It represents the process of storytelling, the messy and beautiful act of building something from thought alone. It also represents me: someone who struggled to be heard in the real world but found her clearest voice on the page.

✍️ How It Started: A Writer Before I Believed I Was One

I’ve always loved writing—but I didn’t always believe I could do anything with it.

In third grade, I wrote wild fantasy and dramatic love stories with zero structure and all the feelings. I stopped. Then came tenth grade, when writing found me again… until I walked away once more. For years, I convinced myself that writing could never be a career, that dreaming that big would only set me up for disappointment.

But in 2022, something changed. I started writing again—not for success or perfection, but because I couldn’t stay away. In December 2023, I published my first professional book. I finally understood something: anything you're passionate about deserves to be taken seriously. Even if it seems impossible. Even if you're scared.

Writing gives me confidence. It's the outlet I turn to when I feel like I can’t express myself out loud. It's where I heal. Where I grow. And I want you to know: you don’t have to be traditionally successful to be a real writer. You just have to write—and not give up.

📚 What I’m Working On

Right now, I’m preparing to release my next book:

✨ Until Time Remembers ✨
📆 Coming August 2025

This is the first installment in my supernatural mystery-thriller series Where Time Can’t Exist. It’s your introduction to Burrington—a town that shouldn’t exist anymore, one that only comes alive at night, and where time itself refuses to move forward.

The story follows Beck Escarra, a young filmmaker whose obsession with forgotten places draws her into a town buried in history and haunted by more than just ghosts. As she uncovers its chilling secrets, she realizes escaping Burrington might cost more than her life—it might cost her time, her identity, and everything she thought she understood about reality.

This book blends horror, mystery, suspense, and a touch of sci-fi, rooted in emotional stakes and atmospheric storytelling. It's one of the most personal and imaginative things I've ever created, and I can’t wait to share it with you.

📕 Latest Release: Criminal Plague

If you haven’t picked it up yet, my most recent novel Criminal Plague is available now on Amazon.

It’s the confessional autobiography of Michelle Hartmann, a powerful New York attorney who spent decades manipulating the justice system for her own gain—keeping predators, murderers, and monsters out of prison and on the streets. This story isn’t about redemption. It’s about power, corruption, and the damage one person can do when the rules are nothing more than tools.

If you enjoy dark character studies, unsettling truths, and stories that dig into the rot behind success, this one’s for you.

🎭 Behind the Scenes: 32 Stories, One Truth

Alongside my full-length novels, I’m working on something incredibly close to my heart:
A short story collection titled It Ended By Beginning.

It’s made up of 32 stories, each one inspired by a quote, with every story focused on identity.

You’ll encounter characters wrestling with truth, transformation, revelation—and not always in ways that feel clean or hopeful. Some stories are haunting. Some are sharp, dramatic, strange, or soft. I wrote them in different voices and genres, but each one is rooted in the idea that stories help us understand who we are—or who we fear becoming.

This project is a tribute to experimentation, vulnerability, and emotional storytelling. And in future issues, I’ll share sneak peeks, behind-the-scenes breakdowns, and possibly a few exclusive stories just for you.

📝 Writer’s Tip of the Month

Real talk.
What I’m about to say might be obvious. It might make me sound ridiculous for not realizing it sooner. But I’m going to say it anyway—because it’s real, and it might help someone else.

Do not expect success right away. Or even at all.

Don’t write a book and assume it’ll take off. Don’t write ten and expect bestseller status. Yes, it’s possible. And yes, I hope it happens for you. But if you build your expectations around it, you’ll hurt yourself.

When I published my first book, I thought, this is it—everyone’s going to buy it. It didn’t happen. I made three sales: one from me, one from my mom, and one from a kind stranger. It was discouraging. But it was also a reality check.

Please—do not write to make money fast. Write because you love it. Write because you have to. The truth is, you and I are competing with millions of books on Amazon alone, and thousands more are published every single day. You’re wedged between a mountain of voices.

But here’s what matters: You’re writing. You’re putting something into the world that didn’t exist before you imagined it. That’s worth something. Don’t let unrealistic expectations crush your passion.

Dream big. Then wake up, and do the work anyway.

Write the story because it matters to you. And put it out there for the chance—not the guarantee—of success.

📣 Join the Journey

Want to follow along as I build these worlds, explore new voices, and grow into the writer I’ve always wanted to be?

📖 Visit my blog: mindsndesign.blogspot.com
📸 Follow me on Instagram: @mindsndesign

There’s so much more to come—and I’m honored to have you with me, right from the start.

With love,
Makitia

🎥 Inside the Mind of Power: A Conversation with Makitia Thompson

 

Behind the Book: Criminal Plague

"Michelle Hartmann is greed in human form."

She was one of New York’s most powerful attorneys. She freed killers, protected predators, and built an empire out of other people’s pain. In Makitia Thompson’s Criminal Plague, we meet Michelle Hartmann: a ruthless, privileged legal juggernaut whose downfall is as calculated as her rise.

But this story isn’t just about crime—it’s about the culture that creates monsters and lets them thrive.

In this exclusive Behind the Book interview, Makitia opens up about the inspiration behind Michelle, the political fire that birthed the story, and the real-life emotion she poured into some of its darkest scenes.

🧠 Q1. Michelle Hartmann is a morally twisted, dangerously brilliant woman. What drew you to write a character like her—and what part of her felt the most disturbing or honest to bring to life?

Makitia:
I wanted to write a character who had behind-the-scenes power—not someone adored for their fame or loved for their charm. Michelle Hartmann has control over the most sacred system in society: justice. She’s born into wealth and connections, so she walks into law with everything handed to her, already convinced she’s earned a win before she’s even played the game.

She was my way of examining what it means to raise someone without accountability. Honestly, writing her was also personal. I have family members who refuse to take responsibility for anything—they don’t reflect, they just deflect. Michelle became a way for me to not only confront that behaviour but show how dangerous it is when someone like that has real power.

🧠 Q2. This book doesn’t seek redemption—it leans into corruption, power, and control. Did writing from such a dark psychological space take a toll on you personally?

Makitia:
Writing the book didn’t drain me emotionally—but it did open my eyes. Michelle was a chance to explore a kind of character we often only see on television: the one who suffers no consequences.

Through her, I explored a world where privilege is currency and everyone without it has no value. It’s a world I hope I never have to live in—but I enjoyed unmasking the monsters who thrive in it. Monsters with contact books full of judges, politicians, and people who’d burn down lives to protect their own power.

🧠 Q3. You explore the justice system through Michelle’s manipulation of it. Was there a real-world influence that inspired this portrayal?

Makitia:
My inspiration wasn’t a single person or case—it was the entire political climate of the time. Every time I turned on the news, I saw political leaders causing chaos, making reckless decisions, and harming everyday citizens. And yet somehow, the story never ended with them being held accountable.

Michelle Hartmann is that leader. She did whatever she wanted for decades—kept dangerous people on the streets, made millions, and lived in luxury while others paid the price. She never expected to face consequences. But they still found her, right at the moment she was preparing to do even more damage.

🧠 Q4. Michelle helped a child killer go free—and it cost more lives. That’s a harrowing narrative choice. What made you brave enough to go there?

Makitia:
I needed Michelle to be undeniably wrong. A lot of lawyers represent guilty clients—but they usually use legal skill to defend them. Michelle didn’t even do that. She used her family’s name. She blackmailed judges, paid off jurors, and bullied victims.

Having her manipulate the system to free a child killer wasn't just shocking—it was necessary. That one act alone shows how her privilege isn’t just unfair, it’s fatal to the people she steps on.

🧠 Q5. Do you believe Michelle ever truly felt guilt—or do you think she saw herself as a necessary evil?

Makitia:
Michelle understands that what she did wasn’t right—but she doesn’t feel regret. She has guilt, yes, but it’s about getting caught. It’s about bringing shame to her family’s name.

She doesn’t see herself as evil. She sees herself as a competitor—someone who did what was needed to win. In her mind, her actions were necessary only because someone else would’ve done it anyway. So why not her?

🧠 Q6. Some readers have called this your most emotionally unflinching work. Looking back, do you see Criminal Plague as a warning, a character study, or something else entirely?

Makitia:
It’s absolutely a character study. There are enough warnings in the world—and they’ve done almost nothing. Criminal Plague is a deep dive into the mind, habits, and choices of a privileged, well-connected narcissist.

Michelle Hartmann exists to dissect the wealthy elite—people who already have too much power but still want more. She’s not an exaggeration. She’s a reflection. There are real people like her out there.

🧠 Q7. What part of writing this story made you pause the longest—or scared you the most to share?

Makitia:
I definitely paused the longest while writing Michelle’s first major criminal case. It involved serious sexual assault, and in my opinion, it was where Michelle was at her absolute worst.

She didn’t just defend the accused—she destroyed the victim. Michelle sparked a public campaign of harassment that eventually pushed the woman to take her own life. It was hard to write—not just because I wanted it to feel realistic, but because it was realistic.

Without saying too much, my own mother experienced something not identical but painfully similar. That made this scene hit even closer to home. It wasn’t just fiction anymore—it was memory.

🧠 Q8. If Michelle Hartmann sat across from you right now, what would you say to her?

Makitia:
Honestly, I wouldn’t even know where to begin. I imagine it would become an argument pretty quickly, because Michelle truly believes she’s right.

But I’d have to ask her: why have all your choices hurt the people who were already struggling? Why target the under-serviced, the less fortunate, the ones without the connections to fight back? I’d want to know why she needed to win so badly—why was losing so unbearable?

Of course, I know the answers. She’s my character. But if she were real, I’d sit across from her and try to understand her greed, her manipulation—her emptiness.

🧠 Q9. What do you want readers to walk away feeling after reading Criminal Plague—and why did you think this story needed to be told now?

Makitia:
I want readers to walk away feeling like they’ve just stepped into the mind of an empty person—someone who fills themselves by draining everyone around them.

This story is about power—too much of it. Michelle Hartmann is the embodiment of advanced narcissism, unlimited resources, and an upbringing where emotion was seen as weakness. She’s not just greedy—she is greed in human form.

Criminal Plague needed to be told because we don’t talk enough about the people who exist like this in real life. People who will step on anyone if it helps them stay on top. This book takes you straight into that world—and then hands you Michelle Hartmann, a woman who will do anything to keep her crown.

🛑 Ready to Dive Deeper?

This is just a glimpse into the chilling mind of Michelle Hartmann.
Read the full story in Criminal Plague—available now on Amazon.
→https://a.co/d/aJ3OlCq 

📚 Should writers stick to one genre? Let's talk about it

 

Hey fellow writers,

Let’s have a heart-to-heart—one writer to another.

If you’re just starting out on your writing journey, you’ve probably heard that age-old advice: “Pick a genre and stick with it.” You might even feel pressured to define yourself early on—Am I a romance author? A horror writer? A fantasy nerd forever?—like locking yourself into a literary identity is some rite of passage.

But let me offer a different perspective: Don’t be afraid to explore. Don’t be afraid to wander.

Because truthfully? The best way to discover your voice is through trial and error—and sometimes that means writing a cozy mystery in February, a dystopian thriller in June, and a slice-of-life character study by December.

I’m speaking to you not as someone who’s “figured it all out,” but as a fairly new author myself. I’ve been in love with storytelling since the third grade—back when I used to scribble dramatic tales with a pencil that barely had an eraser left. But professionally? I’ve only been doing this for a little over a year.

And guess what? I didn’t write a book I felt truly proud of until my fifth one. And even then, I wasn’t fully satisfied—because as writers, we’re always evolving. Always stretching. Always asking, What if I did that better? What else can I do?

That hunger for improvement? That’s where the magic happens.

Why Writing Multiple Genres Matters

If you’re wondering whether you need to choose a genre right now—my answer is absolutely not. Here’s why:

1. It expands your creativity.
Dabbling in multiple genres forces you to think differently. Each genre comes with its own tone, pacing, character arcs, and expectations. Writing a fantasy novel teaches you how to build complex worlds; a thriller shows you how to master suspense; romance sharpens your emotional storytelling. And all of that knowledge travels with you—no matter what you write next.

2. It challenges you to innovate.
Writing outside of your comfort zone will test your limits, and that’s a good thing. It sharpens your instincts, exposes your weak spots, and shows you where your voice truly shines. Struggling through a horror short story might reveal your gift for building atmosphere. Attempting a comedy might teach you the timing of a perfect line.

3. It contributes to your niche—even if it doesn’t seem like it.
Here’s the secret: what you learn from writing that one tricky genre you swore you’d never touch will eventually make your “main” genre stronger. The way sci-fi writers handle exposition? That’ll help your historical fiction. The pacing of a mystery novel? Great for narrative tension in a drama. Nothing is wasted. Everything informs your growth.

The Journey Looks Different for Everyone

No major author in history just sat down, wrote one book, and became a literary icon. What you see on bestseller lists? That’s the polished result of years of drafting, deleting, rewriting, failing, and trying again.

We all start somewhere. And honestly, failure isn’t the monster we make it out to be. It only becomes harmful if you let it define you. But if you choose to let it teach you? Then it’s one of your greatest assets.

Rough drafts are never perfect. They’re meant to be messy. That’s where you find the bones of what your story could become.

And remember: behind every successful author is a trail of half-finished ideas, abandoned outlines, and genres they tried just to see if they could.

A Personal Note

I want to be real with you. I didn’t publish my first book and think, Yes! I nailed it. Not even close.

I wrote and released four books before I hit one that I considered “good”—and even then, I questioned every chapter. But what I gained in that process was invaluable growth, deep understanding of character, structure, and voice—and a genuine love for the journey.

And that’s what I want you to take from this post: this is a journey we’re on together.

Whether you’re on your first draft or your tenth rewrite, know this—you’re not behind. You’re learning. You’re building. You’re exactly where you need to be.

So, Should You Stick to One Genre?

Eventually? Maybe. Many writers find their sweet spot and stick with it—and that’s great! But don’t force it before you’re ready.

Let yourself test the waters. Let yourself fail, grow, and shift. There’s no shame in trying something, hating it, and moving on. Every page you write adds another layer to the writer you’re becoming.

Success? It’s attainable. For all of us.

One story, one stumble, one breakthrough at a time.

Keep writing. Keep growing.

—Makitia

Should writers stick to one genre? Let's talk about it

 

Hey fellow writers,

Let’s have a heart-to-heart—one writer to another.

If you’re just starting out on your writing journey, you’ve probably heard that age-old advice: “Pick a genre and stick with it.” You might even feel pressured to define yourself early on—Am I a romance author? A horror writer? A fantasy nerd forever?—like locking yourself into a literary identity is some rite of passage.

But let me offer a different perspective: Don’t be afraid to explore. Don’t be afraid to wander.

Because truthfully? The best way to discover your voice is through trial and error—and sometimes that means writing a cozy mystery in February, a dystopian thriller in June, and a slice-of-life character study by December.

I’m speaking to you not as someone who’s “figured it all out,” but as a fairly new author myself. I’ve been in love with storytelling since the third grade—back when I used to scribble dramatic tales with a pencil that barely had an eraser left. But professionally? I’ve only been doing this for a little over a year.

And guess what? I didn’t write a book I felt truly proud of until my fifth one. And even then, I wasn’t fully satisfied—because as writers, we’re always evolving. Always stretching. Always asking, What if I did that better? What else can I do?

That hunger for improvement? That’s where the magic happens.

Why Writing Multiple Genres Matters

If you’re wondering whether you need to choose a genre right now—my answer is absolutely not. Here’s why:

1. It expands your creativity.
Dabbling in multiple genres forces you to think differently. Each genre comes with its own tone, pacing, character arcs, and expectations. Writing a fantasy novel teaches you how to build complex worlds; a thriller shows you how to master suspense; romance sharpens your emotional storytelling. And all of that knowledge travels with you—no matter what you write next.

2. It challenges you to innovate.
Writing outside of your comfort zone will test your limits, and that’s a good thing. It sharpens your instincts, exposes your weak spots, and shows you where your voice truly shines. Struggling through a horror short story might reveal your gift for building atmosphere. Attempting a comedy might teach you the timing of a perfect line.

3. It contributes to your niche—even if it doesn’t seem like it.
Here’s the secret: what you learn from writing that one tricky genre you swore you’d never touch will eventually make your “main” genre stronger. The way sci-fi writers handle exposition? That’ll help your historical fiction. The pacing of a mystery novel? Great for narrative tension in a drama. Nothing is wasted. Everything informs your growth.

The Journey Looks Different for Everyone

No major author in history just sat down, wrote one book, and became a literary icon. What you see on bestseller lists? That’s the polished result of years of drafting, deleting, rewriting, failing, and trying again.

We all start somewhere. And honestly, failure isn’t the monster we make it out to be. It only becomes harmful if you let it define you. But if you choose to let it teach you? Then it’s one of your greatest assets.

Rough drafts are never perfect. They’re meant to be messy. That’s where you find the bones of what your story could become.

And remember: behind every successful author is a trail of half-finished ideas, abandoned outlines, and genres they tried just to see if they could.

A Personal Note

I want to be real with you. I didn’t publish my first book and think, Yes! I nailed it. Not even close.

I wrote and released four books before I hit one that I considered “good”—and even then, I questioned every chapter. But what I gained in that process was invaluable growth, deep understanding of character, structure, and voice—and a genuine love for the journey.

And that’s what I want you to take from this post: this is a journey we’re on together.

Whether you’re on your first draft or your tenth rewrite, know this—you’re not behind. You’re learning. You’re building. You’re exactly where you need to be.

So, Should You Stick to One Genre?

Eventually? Maybe. Many writers find their sweet spot and stick with it—and that’s great! But don’t force it before you’re ready.

Let yourself test the waters. Let yourself fail, grow, and shift. There’s no shame in trying something, hating it, and moving on. Every page you write adds another layer to the writer you’re becoming.

Success? It’s attainable. For all of us.

One story, one stumble, one breakthrough at a time.

Keep writing. Keep growing.

—Makitia

✍️ A behind-the-scenes look at my creative rhythm

 

Why I’m So Active in Certain Months—and a Ghost in Others

Let’s be real. If you’ve followed my blog or my books for more than five minutes, you’ve probably noticed something.

Some months, I’m everywhere. Blog posts, updates, sneak peeks, teaser quotes, maybe a random tweet about plot twists or why a fictional character just broke my heart (even though I created them). Then—poof!—I disappear like a ghost into the digital fog.

And I get it. In today’s online world, consistency is queen. But here’s the truth: I’m not disappearing. I’m diving.

See, writing isn’t a hobby for me. It isn’t even just a career. It’s my passion. My soul’s language. I’ve been in love with storytelling since the third grade—back when I’d scribble dramatic scenes on looseleaf paper during recess and hand them out like candy to my friends. That same kid is still here, heart pounding with every word typed, still chasing the thrill of getting a story just right.

When I’m not posting? I’m deep in the creative trenches, pouring everything I have—mind, body, heart, soul—into the work. And trust me, I’m working.

I’m working on stories that matter. Characters who feel real. Dialogue that breathes. I’m obsessed with capturing realism, authenticity, and creativity in every story I tell. Whether it’s a sprawling novel or a three-page short story, I aim to give it the same level of heart-wrecking honesty and care.

And that takes time.

What I'm Working On (a tiny peek behind the curtain)

Right now, I’m juggling multiple projects—because apparently, I have no concept of chill.

🖤 The sequel to The Singing Canaries — The Canary Sung is on its way. If you read the first, you know it’s not just a mystery—it’s a psychological maze wrapped in heartbreak and suspicion. In the sequel, secrets unravel fast, loyalties shift like shadows, and the truth gets even harder to recognize. Think: more tension, more danger, and yes, more canary-screaming moments.

🎭 Muse — This one’s close to my heart. A story about creation, obsession, and the fine line between inspiration and destruction. It’s moody. It’s reflective. And it just might mess with your head (in the best way).

🌀 My upcoming 32 short story collection — Each story is inspired by a quote, exploring themes of identity, truth, revelation, and self. The genres bend, the moods shift, and no two pieces are alike. It’s a literary mixtape of everything I love about storytelling: horror, heartbreak, hope—and the strange moments in between.

And most exciting of all…

Coming in August: Until Time Remembers

My next novel, Until Time Remembers, is the beginning of something special. A mystery-suspense blend steeped in history, loss, and the eerie question: What if time forgot a town, but a woman remembered?

The story follows Beck Escarra, an aspiring director who stumbles into a place that shouldn’t exist—Burrington, a ghost town frozen in the 1800s. But at night? The town comes alive. Trapped residents relive their final day, unaware they’ve been dead for centuries.

Beck soon realizes the town is haunted not just by spirits, but by pain, betrayal, and a curse that wants to keep her there. The book explores grief, identity, and the human need to make sense of the inexplicable. It’s layered with horror, heart, and surreal beauty.

And yes—there are secrets. Big ones. The kind you won’t see coming. The kind that might change everything by the time you reach the final page.

Why I’m Telling You This

Because I care. Deeply.

I know it can be easy to scroll past a silent blog or an outdated Instagram post and think, “Are they still writing?” Yes. Always yes. I’m just doing the kind of writing that needs stillness. The kind that doesn’t always show itself in real time but shows up when the story is ready to be told.

This isn’t fast food storytelling. I’m not here to drop books like disposable content. I’m building something that matters—stories with heart, stories with scars, stories that might just outlive me.

So if I go quiet for a bit, don’t worry. I’m not gone. I’m just underground, working on the next thing you didn’t know you needed.

I’m writing because I love it. Because I have to. And because you, dear reader, deserve stories that aren’t rushed—but felt.

Thanks for being patient. Thanks for reading. And thanks, always, for waiting until the story’s ready.

See you soon—with a book in my hand.

—Makitia

A behind-the-scenes look at my creative rhythm

 

Why I’m So Active in Certain Months—and a Ghost in Others

Let’s be real. If you’ve followed my blog or my books for more than five minutes, you’ve probably noticed something.

Some months, I’m everywhere. Blog posts, updates, sneak peeks, teaser quotes, maybe a random tweet about plot twists or why a fictional character just broke my heart (even though I created them). Then—poof!—I disappear like a ghost into the digital fog.

And I get it. In today’s online world, consistency is queen. But here’s the truth: I’m not disappearing. I’m diving.

See, writing isn’t a hobby for me. It isn’t even just a career. It’s my passion. My soul’s language. I’ve been in love with storytelling since the third grade—back when I’d scribble dramatic scenes on looseleaf paper during recess and hand them out like candy to my friends. That same kid is still here, heart pounding with every word typed, still chasing the thrill of getting a story just right.

When I’m not posting? I’m deep in the creative trenches, pouring everything I have—mind, body, heart, soul—into the work. And trust me, I’m working.

I’m working on stories that matter. Characters who feel real. Dialogue that breathes. I’m obsessed with capturing realism, authenticity, and creativity in every story I tell. Whether it’s a sprawling novel or a three-page short story, I aim to give it the same level of heart-wrecking honesty and care.

And that takes time.

What I'm Working On (a tiny peek behind the curtain)

Right now, I’m juggling multiple projects—because apparently, I have no concept of chill.

🖤 The sequel to The Singing Canaries — The Canary Sung is on its way. If you read the first, you know it’s not just a mystery—it’s a psychological maze wrapped in heartbreak and suspicion. In the sequel, secrets unravel fast, loyalties shift like shadows, and the truth gets even harder to recognize. Think: more tension, more danger, and yes, more canary-screaming moments.

🎭 Muse — This one’s close to my heart. A story about creation, obsession, and the fine line between inspiration and destruction. It’s moody. It’s reflective. And it just might mess with your head (in the best way).

🌀 My upcoming 32 short story collection — Each story is inspired by a quote, exploring themes of identity, truth, revelation, and self. The genres bend, the moods shift, and no two pieces are alike. It’s a literary mixtape of everything I love about storytelling: horror, heartbreak, hope—and the strange moments in between.

And most exciting of all…

Coming in August: Until Time Remembers

My next novel, Until Time Remembers, is the beginning of something special. A mystery-suspense blend steeped in history, loss, and the eerie question: What if time forgot a town, but a woman remembered?

The story follows Beck Escarra, an aspiring director who stumbles into a place that shouldn’t exist—Burrington, a ghost town frozen in the 1800s. But at night? The town comes alive. Trapped residents relive their final day, unaware they’ve been dead for centuries.

Beck soon realizes the town is haunted not just by spirits, but by pain, betrayal, and a curse that wants to keep her there. The book explores grief, identity, and the human need to make sense of the inexplicable. It’s layered with horror, heart, and surreal beauty.

And yes—there are secrets. Big ones. The kind you won’t see coming. The kind that might change everything by the time you reach the final page.

Why I’m Telling You This

Because I care. Deeply.

I know it can be easy to scroll past a silent blog or an outdated Instagram post and think, “Are they still writing?” Yes. Always yes. I’m just doing the kind of writing that needs stillness. The kind that doesn’t always show itself in real time but shows up when the story is ready to be told.

This isn’t fast food storytelling. I’m not here to drop books like disposable content. I’m building something that matters—stories with heart, stories with scars, stories that might just outlive me.

So if I go quiet for a bit, don’t worry. I’m not gone. I’m just underground, working on the next thing you didn’t know you needed.

I’m writing because I love it. Because I have to. And because you, dear reader, deserve stories that aren’t rushed—but felt.

Thanks for being patient. Thanks for reading. And thanks, always, for waiting until the story’s ready.

See you soon—with a book in my hand.

—Makitia

📖 Why Reading Is the Ultimate Creative Conspiracy

 

The Perfect Books to Spark Deep Dialogue

Let’s be honest: books are magic spells we willingly fall under, only to emerge hours (or days) later questioning life, love, time, morality, and whether that character really needed to die. (Still not over it, George R. R. Martin.)

But more than escapism, books spark dialogue. The juicy kind. The kind that ends friendships over a plot twist, inspires 2 a.m. texts like “Did you finish the last chapter?!”, or leads to full-blown debates in the group chat over who was right, who was wrong, and what it means to be human.

As a writer, I believe reading is a non-negotiable part of the journey. You can’t write without reading—well, you can, but it’s like baking without ever having tasted cake. Books feed your brain, challenge your style, and stretch your perspective. They make your writing better. Your dialogue richer. Your characters messier (in a good way). And best of all, book debates get the creative juices flowing like nothing else.

So let’s dive into a few books—some beloved bestsellers, some lesser-known gems, and yes, a few of my own—that are guaranteed to light a fire under your literary soul and get people talking.

Popular Books That Stir the Pot (and the Soul):

📘 The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
This one has people asking: If you could live all the lives you never chose, would you? Or would you spiral under the weight of infinite possibilities? Existentialism, meet your book club.

📕 The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett
Family secrets, identity, race, and duality—this novel packs so much into every page. It's the kind of book that makes you want to dissect every decision the characters make and ask, “What would I have done?”

📗 Circe by Madeline Miller
Greek mythology through a feminist lens. Beautiful, devastating, and perfect for arguing over who really gets to be the hero.

Books That Deserve a Louder Megaphone:

📙 The Death of Vivek Oji by Akwaeke Emezi
Haunting, emotional, and deeply original. It explores grief, gender identity, and the masks we wear to survive. Not nearly enough people are talking about this book—but they should be.

📘 Long Division by Kiese Laymon
Time travel, racism, Southern Black culture, and layered storytelling? Yes, please. Complex and chaotic in the best way.

📕 The Seep by Chana Porter
Aliens, identity, queer love, and the unravelling of humanity. This strange, beautiful little book will either make you clutch it to your chest or fling it across the room—and that’s the sign of a conversation starter.

My Books (Yes, I Went There—but With Good Reason):

🖤 The Killer Across the Street
This one dives into the secrets hiding in plain sight—behind white picket fences and in the lives of women who survive monsters in plain clothes. People debate whether the killer’s charm was real or performance, and how much of ourselves we sacrifice to stay safe.

🩸 Criminal Plague
If you’ve ever wondered what justice looks like in a collapsing world, or whether morality can survive when survival is on the line, this book’s for you. Readers have argued over which character “broke first”—and who had the right to.

🎭 Dying in the Spotlight
Fame, lies, and a deadly unravelling. This one brings out all the Did they deserve it? and Was it worth it? kinds of questions that writers (and readers) love to chew on.

Why It All Matters

Reading—really reading—isn’t passive. It’s a full-contact creative sport. You argue with the author. You empathise with characters you’d never befriend in real life. You yell at the pages. And most importantly, you grow.

If you’re an aspiring writer, read more. Read widely. Read things that make you uncomfortable. Read what you wish you’d written. Read books you hate and figure out why. Then steal like an artist (ethically, of course).

So go ahead—pick up something new. Start a dialogue. Start a debate. Start a draft. Let the books you read become your writing mentors, your muses, and your conspirators.

Because behind every great story is a bookshelf full of better ones.