#cinematicromance

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