March 2020, during the start of the height of the pandemic, we were allowed to work from home. June 1, 2020, two days after my birthday, May 30th, and the start of my vacation, I received a meeting invite notification on my phone. I called my director, however; she did not answer. She simply texted me to come to the meeting at 9am. May I remind you, it was my vacation. By that time, I had a gut feeling about what was going to happen. 9am came and my feelings were confirmed. I was laid off. Without any warning at all. TWO DAYS AFTER MY BIRTHDAY AND ON DAY ONE OF MY VACATION. I couldn’t believe it, especially because I was considered a top performer. Apparently, favoritism played into it. I know it did. Anyway, during that time, because I had a lot of time, I got back into writing as I needed to let all my anger out on paper, and a journal entry simply wouldn’t do.

Insert Nova The Executioner. Because I felt wronged, I needed to create a character that would help me feel as if I got a little justice even if I didn’t at the moment. It didn’t take me long on the process of how I wanted the character to be. But of course, I had to add some horror into the mix, which is why I decided to turn her into an all seeing supernatural being who wasn’t randomly coming after people. She needed a purpose, and her purpose was justice for those who couldn’t get it themselves. An anti-hero that wanted to make wrongs right even though the way she went about it wouldn’t exactly be called right. But, this is a horror, so I had to dial up the fear or suspense factor. Nova represented the dark, angry side that needed to come out.

To this day, Nova is my favorite character I’ve created. And, Nova: The Executioner of Justice, is my favorite story I’ve written.