Moonsland 2: Making of

  This article contains spoilers for Moonsland 2: Room for Rent in My Heart. If you haven’t read the book yet, I recommend saving this article for later. It’ll be worth it!

  After publishing the introduction article, it’s time to share the behind-the-scenes of Moonsland 2. This was a book built in layers - literally. Not only did I keep adding ideas as I wrote, but I also started to uncover intentions and messages I didn’t even know I wanted to express in the beginning.

The first idea: where it all began

  The first image that came to me was of a couple living under the same roof - but in secret. The idea that her parents didn’t know about the relationship seemed intriguing, but I soon realized that, on its own, it wouldn’t carry an entire story. It lacked conflict, depth, and a past. That’s when the layer of Emma and Tyler’s former relationship came in. That connection, marked by unfinished wounds, became the driving force behind the plot.
  To add more tension and emotional duality, I introduced Bryce - Emma’s current boyfriend - someone who, at first, represented safety, but slowly began to reveal a darker side. With this character, I was able to explore a topic that matters deeply to me: dating violence. Not the obvious kind, but the one that creeps in gradually - through words, attitudes, and the subtle ways someone tries to control or belittle another.

Character creation

  This time, I wrote detailed character profiles on paper, answering a series of questions to make them more real and consistent. Emma has a structured schedule, just like Tyler, and those routines helped me picture their daily lives - something that naturally made its way into the writing.
  Tyler is, in a way, the ideal boyfriend. Someone who made mistakes in the past but shows respect, maturity, and emotional depth. I especially like his approach: “I’ll try to win you back, but if you don’t want me, I won’t push it.” Even though there are no chapters from his point of view, I made sure to give him a complex backstory - so he wouldn’t exist solely in relation to Emma. I also loved exploring both their talents - painting and cooking - and in the future, I want to give more space to characters with different passions and creative callings.

Plot: layers, tension, and twists

  The plot builds around the tension between past and present. This was a book where I tried to balance emotion with intensity. And of course, I have to mention the most impactful moment: the ending.
  The reveal that Tyler’s mother was closer than anyone thought was designed to make readers pause and reflect. Unlike my usual goal of keeping stories self-contained, this might just be the one case where - maybe, just maybe - there’s room for a part two… if enough people ask for it. The truth is, there’s still so much left open, and even I felt like continuing. There’s a certain energy between Emma and Tyler that fascinates me. It almost feels like I’m not the one controlling what happens - they’re steering things themselves.

Quotes and inspirations

The line I chose to represent this book - “I believed I had reached the peak of happiness, until someone introduced me to a new scale.” - came from a moment of personal introspection. I was thinking about my own relationship and how I could have been happy before her and yet have found an even deeper kind of happiness with her. That’s when I realized that maybe happiness has different scales we’re not even aware of - until someone shows us a new one.

Fun facts

Here’s a little detail most readers probably missed: In the gallery scene, when Tyler’s mother introduces herself to Emma, she says her name is Sarah Harrington. The curious part? She made up the surname on the spot. She saw the gallery director’s name - Evelyn Harrington - during the event, and decided to use the same last name to avoid raising suspicion. A small detail, but one that says a lot about the character’s sharp instincts.
  And of course, a scene that seems “harmless” - an interaction between Emma, her best friend, and two young guys - is actually a setup for what’s to come. Those two characters will have their own book someday. But for now, that’s all I can say.

Final thoughts

  This book brought me so much joy to write. The layers, the hidden messages, the simmering tension between Emma and Tyler… everything just flowed in a very special way. It’s a story that blends emotion with intensity, romance with reality. And just like the first book, there’s always something more between the lines.
  If you enjoyed this story, stay tuned - because in just a few months, I’ll be sharing all about my third book.