Demons Are Forever: A Novel Based on Real Events follows the harrowing and unforgettable journey of Charlotte Chandler from her birth to adulthood. While Charlotte is a fictional character, the demons she encounters along the way are inspired by actual experiences, making this novel much more than just a tale of the supernatural. It’s an exploration of the invisible battles that often shape our lives, colored by my personal experiences as a traveler, a wife, a mother, and someone deeply impacted by the unknown.
The Birth of Charlotte Chandler: Inspiration Behind the Protagonist
Charlotte Chandler is the heart of Demons Are Forever. Her life, from the innocent days of childhood to the tumultuous challenges of adulthood, mirrors the kind of spiritual journey many of us face—though hers is fraught with the terror of facing real demons. The experiences Charlotte endures throughout the novel are not purely fiction. Her encounters with dark forces are based on real events that have haunted my life and the lives of others.
Creating Charlotte allowed me to take these frightening moments and weave them into a character who could live through the same experiences but with a larger purpose. She doesn’t just face her demons—she grows because of them, learning to confront the darkness with resilience. Writing her story was as much an act of catharsis for me as it was a creative endeavor, allowing me to bring the inexplicable into the realm of fiction.
Weaving Real Travel Experiences into a Supernatural Journey
Another central element that shaped this novel is my love for travel, a dream I’ve had since childhood. After graduating from LSU in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, my husband, our toddler son, and I set off for a two-year assignment in Singapore due to my husband’s job. What we thought would be a brief international experience turned into 27 years of living in seven different countries. Along the way, we welcomed another son, creating a family life interwoven with the rich tapestry of global culture.
Living in countries like Singapore, England, and Germany brought a sense of the unfamiliar—sometimes wondrous and other times unsettling. These experiences, the ones that come with constantly shifting landscapes, adjusting to new cultures, and encountering the unexpected, played a significant role in shaping Charlotte’s story. Some of the settings and eerie atmospheres in Demons Are Forever were inspired by places I’ve visited, where an ancient history of myth, folklore, and mystery lingers. The isolation of living far from home, combined with the constant feeling of the unknown just around the corner, mirrored Charlotte’s own journey into the supernatural.
The Personal Touch: Balancing Fiction and Real-Life Inspirations
Throughout the writing process, blending fiction with real-life events felt like walking a tightrope. The challenge was to make Charlotte’s world both believable and immersive while staying true to the experiences that inspired her encounters with the paranormal. It was important to balance the fiction of the demons with the reality of what it felt like to live through these haunting experiences.
At the same time, as a mother, my personal life has always been a reflection of growth, love, and discovery. Raising my two sons while living in different countries became a narrative all on its own—paralleling Charlotte’s growth throughout the novel. As she faces her demons, she becomes stronger, just as I became stronger through the challenges of moving my family around the world.
The Power of Fiction: Exploring Dark Themes through Lived Experience
One of the most powerful aspects of storytelling is the way it allows us to explore deep, sometimes uncomfortable themes. In Demons Are Forever, the demons represent more than just frightening entities; they symbolize the struggles we all face in life—whether it’s fear, self-doubt, or the unknown. By blending my own experiences with dark, supernatural elements, I wanted to give readers a way to confront those universal challenges in a safe, fictional setting.
Charlotte’s journey is not just about survival—it’s about learning to thrive despite the darkness she faces. Her encounters with demons serve as a reminder that we all have the strength to confront the unseen forces in our lives, whether they are literal or metaphorical.
The Journey Continues: Looking Ahead
As I reflect on my journey so far, both as an author and a traveler, I realize that the story doesn’t end here. The experiences I’ve gathered over the years—moving from country to country, navigating new cultures, and even witnessing the inexplicable—continue to fuel my imagination. Writing Demons Are Forever allowed me to explore the intersection of the supernatural and the deeply personal. Looking ahead, I see endless possibilities to further weave my travel experiences and real-life encounters into future stories.
For now, I invite readers to join Charlotte Chandler on her journey, to step into a world where demons are very real, but where hope and resilience shine just as brightly. As I continue to explore new places and face new challenges, I look forward to sharing even more stories that connect life’s strangest moments with the power of fiction.
Conclusion
Demons Are Forever is a novel born from the unique blend of real-life experiences—both supernatural and worldly. From my childhood dream of traveling the world to living internationally for over two decades, these moments have shaped not just who I am, but the stories I write. I hope Charlotte’s journey speaks to you, and that her strength in the face of demons will inspire you to confront whatever challenges you may face in your own life. Have you had any encounters—supernatural or otherwise—that have shaped your worldview? I’d love to hear about them in the comments.