Urban fantasy author Aly Welch talks about writing Dark Angel, the sixth book in her Masquerade series, exploring identity, perception, and chosen family. She opens up about writing through intense moments, growing as a storyteller, and finding balance between discipline, creativity, and chaos.

I’ve been thinking about why some characters stay with us long after a book ends. In my earlier novels, I created characters I genuinely care about — but with my new project, something shifted. I didn’t just care about them; I fell for them in a whole new way.

A practical Guide to not losing your mind while beta readers review your draft.