From Dream to Page: How Aisling Academy Came to Life

Writing a novel often begins with a spark—a fleeting image, a whisper of a story, or a dream that lingers after waking. For me, it was a dream that planted the seed for what has grown into my novel set in the mysterious Aisling Academy. That night, I woke up with a vivid scene in my mind and immediately grabbed my notebook to capture every detail before it slipped away. Since then, the story has evolved, shaped by time, life’s demands, and my own growth as a writer.

How It All Began: A Dream That Refused to Fade

The idea came to me in a dream, clear and compelling. I saw a young girl, cautious and reserved, living within the walls of a castle-like academy where she dreamed of leaving, gifted with powers she wished she could escape from. Rooted in Celtic culture, I wanted to pull from a real culture while simultaneously giving it its own life. The image was so strong that I couldn’t ignore it. I woke up, scribbled down the concept, and felt a surge of excitement. This was the beginning of a story I was eager to tell.

At first, the novel was just a rough sketch—a few scenes, some character notes, and a vague sense of the world this girl inhabited. But that initial vision gave me a foundation to build on. I started imagining the academy’s secrets, the tension beneath its surface, and the challenges she would face as she tried to stay unnoticed while powerful forces stirred around her.

The Story’s Growth and Transformation

As I continued writing, the story changed shape. The girl got a name: Harmony Eldridge. The character deepened, and the world of Aisling Academy became more complex. The academy itself transformed from a simple setting into a living, breathing place with its own history and mysteries. The tension simmering beneath the surface grew stronger, and the stakes for Harmony became clearer.

Early on I realized this wasn’t just one book. I knew it as soon as I had woke up that day from the dream. The story was too big to be confined to one book. The journeys each character would take would take them into early adulthood.

Writing this novel has challenging but also thrilling. There was so much to this world I had to figure out. And me being me, I needed to know the finite details of the world—the traditions, the power structure, the outer world—before writing most of the chapters. As I wrote, each chapter revealed new layers of the story and new challenges for Harmony. I learned to balance her desire to stay hidden with the inevitable pull of her powers and the dangers lurking in the forest surrounding the academy. The story became about more than just magic and secrecy—it became about identity, loss, and the struggle to find one’s place in a world that feels both familiar and threatening.

Life’s Interruptions and the Pause After College

After I graduated from college, life became busy. Work, responsibilities, and everyday demands pulled me away from writing. The novel sat on the back burner for a while, growing quiet but never forgotten. I missed the world of Aisling Academy and the characters who had become part of my life.

At the end of 2025, I picked the story back up. Returning to the manuscript felt like reconnecting with an old friend. The ideas were still there, waiting to be explored. I found new inspiration and energy to continue writing, eager to see where Harmony’s journey would take her next.

The mysterious Aisling Academy surrounded by restless forest

Inspiration Stemmed from the Places That Shaped Me

The world of Aisling drew significant inspiration from the Pacific Northwest, a region I proudly call home. I have spent the majority of my life amidst the stunning beauty of evergreen forests and magnificent mountains

During my college years in Ohio, I longed for the mountains and the seemingly endless evergreens. This is why the Pacific Northwest became the setting for Aisling.

The Support That Made a Difference

Writing a novel is often a solitary task, but I have not been alone in this process. My boyfriend Brandon has been a constant source of encouragement and support. Whether it was listening to my ideas, offering feedback, or simply being there during late-night writing sessions, his presence made a huge difference. He’s listened to me read the book out loud an unholy amount of times.

My dogs have also been my quiet companions, offering cuddles and comfort during long hours at the desk. Their warmth and calm helped me stay grounded and focused. And I’m grateful that my cat, despite her curious nature, never deleted any of my work—a small but important victory in the writing process.

What Readers Can Expect from Aisling Academy

At the heart of the novel is Harmony Eldridge, a sixteen-year-old who has long avoided the fate of Guardian's after losing her parents in a fire. Raised within the castle walls, she is careful and controlled, ready to leave behind the world she’d grown up in. But as the academy’s hundredth anniversary approaches, strange events begin to unfold.

The forest around Aisling grows restless, creatures stir, and the staff hide secrets that threaten the illusion of safety. Harmony finds herself drawn back into the world she wanted to escape, forced to open her circle to include those she never expected. The story explores themes of secrecy, trust, and the cost of power.

Looking Ahead: Sharing the Story with the World

I can’t wait to share this novel with readers. It has been a labor of love, shaped by dreams, life’s interruptions, and the support of those around me. Writing Harmony’s story has taught me about resilience, creativity, and the power of imagination.

As I continue to refine the manuscript, I hope readers will find themselves drawn into the world of Aisling Academy, feeling the tension, the magic, and the hope that drives Harmony forward. This story is not just about a magical academy that came to me in a dream, it’s about finding strength in the face of uncertainty and embracing the parts of ourselves we sometimes try to hide.

Thank you for joining me on this journey from dream to page. I look forward to sharing more updates and, eventually, the finished novel with you all.

Join Harmony on her journey Summer of 2026.