Aelin from The Photograph

Aelin has been living and growing in my mind for more than a decade. I knew every detail about her, long before I’ve ever put her to page. Cara came close second.

All I had to do was find Gabe, a slightly emotionally stunted man who chose hardness.

I wrote Aelin as someone kind and forgiving. And I wasn’t surprised when some of my readers called her a doormat.

The thing with trauma is that it irremediably changes someone. Forever. It cleaves through one’s soul and unleashes anger, sadness, despair, and thousands of other feelings and emotions.

Aelin chooses kindness and forgiveness, and that speaks of a specific type of strength. She not only survived, she thrived.