Fact or Fiction in She Named Me Wolf

Like much of the fiction I write, life experiences —whether mine or those of others I know —inspire my work. In “She Named Me Wolf,” the narrative is deeply rooted in the actual events surrounding someone I know, including a ghost who befriended him and shaped the course of his life. I was initially hesitant to release this book, as I knew that some people who knew the truth would read it and recognise the places and characters, even though the locations and names were changed. Despite my fears, I published the novel, hoping that it would resonate with anyone who experienced abuse or who knows someone who has. I wanted readers to see the beauty in one’s ability to rely on their imagination, their spirituality, and their determination to survive.

The sequel to She Named Me Wolf, titled His Name is Junsaku, takes place in 17th-century Japan and is based on many of my travel experiences in the country. Like Wolf, a ghost haunts my main character, Junsaku, sharing ominous warnings about his life’s path. I’m currently working on book three, about an executioner in 16th-century England, and so far, this one doesn’t have a ghost, but it still resonates with themes of survival, past lives and reincarnation, and action and adventure.