How I Turned a Single Scene Into a Full Novel
(…And Somehow a Whole Series. Oops?)
The Big Questions are always asked of writers:
- Where did your story come from?
- Why that trope?
- Why that couple?
- And of course, the classic: Did your characters behave, or did they hijack your outline and run feral?
In honor of my recent release of The Crowned Mystic, I thought I’d pull back the velvet curtain and show you how one single scene-yes, ONE-waltzed into my head, kicked off its shoes, made itself comfortable, and proceeded to turn into an entire novel. And now… possibly a whole series. (Send help. Actually, don’t. I’m having too much fun.)
It All Started with Bed, Snacks, and Reruns…
Picture this: I’m sitting in bed, blanket burrito achieved, snacks within reach, watching reruns of Once Upon a Time—one of my ultimate comfort shows. (If you read my previous blog, you already know Emma and Hook made my list of Most Romantic Couples Ever. Yes, I stand by it. No, I will not be taking criticism at this time.)
Somewhere amidst all that magic, angst, and Captain Hook being his ridiculous, swoony self, a spark hit me. You know the spark. The “oh no, I just got an idea, and now my life is over because I can’t sleep until I write this” spark.
I’ve always loved royalty romances (The Princess Diaries, The Selection, The Heir and the Spare… give me a crown and a problem and I’m THERE.) Add magical realism? Chef’s kiss. Throw in romance? Even better. If there’s no romance, it’s usually a HARD pass from me. I’m not proud—but I’m also not changing.
And—boom. I suddenly had a scene: just one, just a little idea that said, “Hey, what if this moment existed?”
Reader, I should have known better.
The Scene That Changed Everything…
Let’s just say, without giving away spoilers, that the scene that started it all is Elena’ most iconic dream sequence, which really pushes the slowwwwwww burn with Alexei into a whole new dimension.
This scene had everything:
✨ tension
✨ vulnerability
✨ danger
✨ swoony dialogue
✨ That delicious ache of two people orbiting each other but not quite colliding.
It wasn’t just a vibe; it was foundational. Added to Elena’s prophetic dreams—of course she has those—whispering something big is coming and dropping hints even she couldn’t ignore.
But I didn’t want it to simply foreshadow danger. Nope. I wanted it to force Elena to confront her deepest fears—some she admits, some she denies, and some she’s shoved so far down that even she forgets they’re there.
Digging Deeper: The Girl Who Grew Up Unwanted…
In order to really make the scene count, I had to weave in the truth about who Elena is:
???????? A girl who grew up unwanted.
???????? A girl who learned to question everything because no one ever gave her a reason to trust.
???????? A girl who doesn’t put much stock in faith… until it’s literally all she has left.
That background didn’t just influence the moment—it became the emotional engine behind the whole story.
Her stubbornness? It’s rooted in survival.
Her reluctance to believe in her own worth? A wound she carries quietly.
It’s her slow shift toward trust, faith, love-that’s the real magic.
And it all sprang from one single scene: one spark, one “what if.”
And Just Like That… A Series Was Born…
So, there you have it—the scene that started The Crowned Mystic, the scene I thought was going to be quick and simple and harmless. (Hahahaha. Past me was adorable.)
Did you think this was the moment that started everything?
Let me know below! I love hearing your theories, your chaos, and your favorite scenes.
And if you’re new here… welcome to my brain. I can’t promise it’s tidy, but I can promise it’s full of magic, chaos, and very dramatic fictional people.
XOXO,
LK????
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