Frequently Asked Questions
About Black Ink
Q: What is Black Ink?
A: Black Ink: Ink-Stained Truths from a Bared Soul is a collection of poetry and short stories that explore survival, trauma, motherhood, identity, and healing. It’s raw, honest, and written for anyone who has ever felt unseen, unheard, or “too much.”
Q: What inspired you to write this book?
A: Black Ink grew out of years of journaling, surviving, and trying to make sense of my own story. As a survivor, an adoptee, and a mother, I needed a place where all of those truths could exist together on the page. This book is my way of saying, “You are not alone,” to anyone walking their own hard road.
Q: Is Black Ink based on your real experiences?
A: Many of the pieces are rooted in real experiences, emotions, and memories, but they’re shaped through poetry and story. Some works are very close to my lived truth; others blend imagination with real feelings. All of them are honest.
Q: Why did you include both poetry and short stories?
A: Some truths arrive as a single sharp image—that’s a poem. Others need room to stretch out and breathe—that’s a story. Both forms let me explore the same themes from different angles, and I didn’t want to limit how the book could speak to readers.
Q: Who is this book for?
A: Black Ink is for anyone who has survived something and is still finding their way forward. It’s for readers who appreciate unfiltered emotion, who are drawn to stories of resilience, and who want language for things they’ve struggled to say out loud.
Q: What themes does Black Ink explore?
A: The collection touches on survival, abuse, motherhood, adoption, identity, self-discovery, grief, rage, love, and the slow, stubborn work of healing.
Reading & Content
Q: In what order should I read the poems and stories?
A: You can read Black Ink straight through from beginning to end or jump to the pieces that call to you. Each poem and story stands on its own, but together they create a larger emotional arc.
Q: Are any of the pieces triggering?
A: Yes, some works deal with difficult topics, including abuse and trauma. I’ve written them with care, but I encourage you to honor your own boundaries. It’s okay to pause, skip a piece, or come back when you’re ready.
Q: Is Black Ink appropriate for teens?
A: The content is emotionally intense and includes mature themes. Older teens may connect deeply with it, but I recommend that parents, guardians, or trusted adults use their judgment based on the teen’s age, experiences, and sensitivity.