On August 11th, 2025, ALLi asked: What’s the worst writing advice you’ve ever received?
For me, it was being told to write in a style that wasn’t my own. The advice was clear: don’t write what you want, write what others want to see. To me, that’s the quickest way to kill a writer’s voice.
If I forced myself to fit into someone else’s mold, I wouldn’t just lose my authenticity—I’d lose the spark that makes me want to write at all. Readers can tell when something is genuine versus when it’s shaped to fit a trend. And honestly? I’d rather have fewer readers who connect with my true voice than more readers who are drawn in by something that doesn’t reflect me.
On July 28th, 2025, ALLi asked: Have you ever paid for a review, interview, or promo? How did it compare to free options?
For me, the answer is simple: no, I haven’t paid for any kind of review or exposure. A big part of that is hesitation—it’s hard to know what’s legitimate, what actually makes an impact, and what’s just smoke and mirrors. As an indie author working within a low-income household, I have to be careful where money goes. Every dollar has to matter.
Right now, I only have one review for my book, and it wasn’t from a professional source. It was a Facebook post from my mom. She’s not someone who gushes or gets carried away, so the fact that she read it, loved it, and then shared it publicly? That means more to me than any paid review ever could. Sometimes the most meaningful feedback doesn’t come with a price tag attached.
As a member of ALLi, I love being part of these weekly discussions. They’re a chance to step back, reflect, and connect with other indie authors around the world.