Every book has a story behind the story, and today, I want to share what inspired my third young adult novel, Aerial Ambitions. This book was on my heart for years before I had the chance to sit down and write it, and some of the inspiration behind it was expected—while one source completely surprised me!
A Love for the Circus
One of the biggest inspirations for Aerial Ambitions was, of course, the circus. My main character, Roz, comes from a family of traveling performers, but she leaves that small world behind to join a grand three-ring circus in Chicago.
My love for the circus started early. Growing up in St. Louis, my dad had a lot of friends who were Shriners, and every year, we’d go to the Shriners Circus. I was captivated by the spectacle, the daring stunts, and the larger-than-life performances. My brother was even part of a local circus when we were kids, and I still remember my mom helping him put on his clown makeup.
At one point, I auditioned to be the ringmaster at my performing arts elementary school, though I changed schools before I could actually do it. But the idea of commanding the center of the ring stuck with me, and it eventually found its way into Aerial Ambitions.
Personal Loss and Grief
While the circus theme was a fun and exciting part of the story, Aerial Ambitions also has deep emotional layers. From the beginning, I knew that Razi’s older brother would die—a pivotal event that shapes her journey. Originally, I wrote the scene where he dies attempting a dangerous motorcycle stunt, but in the final version, his death happens before the book even begins.
Though I haven’t lost a sibling to a fiery motorcycle accident, I have lost two siblings to cancer. Writing about grief in this novel meant pulling from my own experiences, using those emotions to make Roz’s pain and resilience feel real. She also lost her mother at a young age—something I haven’t experienced personally, but I channeled my own losses into her story.
A Love for the Spotlight
Beyond the circus itself, Roz’s desire to perform and chase the spotlight mirrors my own past. I have a degree in theater and spent years auditioning for Broadway and regional productions. While I never reached the heights of my Broadway dreams, I’ve always loved being on stage, performing, and captivating an audience.
That craving for the spotlight is a major driving force for Roz. She wants to see her name in lights above the circus tent, to be remembered as a legendary performer. To write her character, I pulled from my own memories—learning monologues, dreaming about seeing my name on a marquee, and the thrill of applause.
A Surprise Inspiration: Harry Styles
Now, for the unexpected source of inspiration—Harry’s House, the album by Harry Styles.
For some reason, that album became my writing soundtrack. I played it every single time I sat down to write or edit Aerial Ambitions, and now, whenever I hear a song from it, I immediately feel the urge to write. It’s like Pavlov’s dog, but for creativity!
I even thanked Harry Styles in the acknowledgments of my book because I truly don’t think I would have made it through the writing process without his music. If anyone out there knows him, let him know I’d gladly send him a copy!
Finding Your Own Inspiration
Writing a book isn’t always easy, and sometimes, the inspiration to keep going comes from unexpected places. For Aerial Ambitions, I drew from childhood memories, personal loss, and my theater background—but also from a pop album that just happened to click with my creative brain.
If you want to check out Aerial Ambitions, you can read the first three chapters for free when you join my newsletter or grab a copy on Amazon (available in Kindle Unlimited, ebook, and paperback).
What’s the strangest thing that has ever inspired you? Let me know in the comments—I’d love to hear your stories!