So… I’ve officially entered my soft‑girl rom‑com era, and honestly? I’m not mad about it. The noir kids ghosted, the spice‑hunters wandered off, and what’s left is the exact audience I want: the elevated readers who love character depth, emotional nuance, and romance that feels like a film.

My ONC 2026 entry, Hollywood & the Heartland, is the first step on my road to the Wattys 2026 — and it’s the most “me” thing I’ve ever written.

It’s 1996. It’s Kansas City and LA. It’s a journalist and an actor who meet by accident and build something real across distance, noise, and timing.

Think: ✨ 90s indie‑film softness ✨ adult romance with actual emotional stakes ✨ long‑distance longing ✨ found family ✨ cinematic writing ✨ slow burn, grown‑folk tenderness

If you’re into romance that feels like a movie you’d watch on a rainy night with a blanket and a soundtrack — this is your stop.

Read it on Wattpad: Hollywood and the