People often ask what inspired me to write my first book. The truth is, it wasn't just one moment, it was years of experiences, heartbreak, healing, and rediscovering parts of myself that I thought I'd lost.

I've always been a creative soul.

As a child, my imagination never stopped. I loved creating, dreaming, and finding ways to express myself. But somewhere along the way, trauma, difficult relationships, and life slowly quieted that part of me. For a long time, survival became more important than creativity. I stopped making space for the things that once made me feel alive.

Then something changed.

I became a mom.

Holding my son for the first time awakened something in me that I can't fully explain. It reminded me that life isn't only about surviving, it's also about building, creating, and leaving behind something meaningful.

I wanted to create something that would outlive me.

Not just a book, but a piece of my heart.

I want my son to grow up knowing that his mom tried. That she dreamed. That she refused to let her past define the rest of her story. More than anyone else's approval, I hope one day he'll read my work and be proud of the woman I chose to become.

Even writing these words brings tears to my eyes.

There's something incredibly vulnerable about sharing your story with the world. You're handing strangers pieces of yourself and hoping they'll understand. It's terrifying, but it's also freeing.

Before the Next Chapter isn't just a memoir. It's the beginning of a conversation. It's proof that healing doesn't happen overnight and that sometimes the bravest thing you can do is tell the truth.

And honestly, this is only the beginning.

My second book carries just as much weight, if not more. Each page I write feels like another step toward healing... not only for myself, but hopefully for someone else who needs to know they aren't alone.

My books are more than stories.

They're the gateway to my heart.

Thank you for reading, for supporting my journey, and for allowing me to share these chapters of my life with you. I truly hope that somewhere within these pages, you find a piece of your own story too.

With Love, 

— Jazzmyne

Author of Before the Next Chapter: Surviving in the Spaces That Tried to Break Me