Knowing how I created science fiction in Ignatius‑Valdis wasn't always easy. Often the themes and subgenres were already there, waiting to be recognised, but the challenge was to present them in a way that felt fresh and suited the audience I had in mind — to find the precise hook, the right tone, and a narrative voice that would carry readers to the last page. I had to work out which themes to weave in, build believable characters, and design science‑fiction systems that were transparent and easy to follow, so the mechanics supported the drama rather than obscured it. I didn't always get it right: sometimes the path of the story eluded me or the concepts resisted clear form. Still, I kept trying, channelling a unique take on superhumans, metahumans and the invisible wars everyone faces, aiming for a story that felt both inventive and emotionally honest.