From Idea to Trilogy: The Evolution of THE FORGOTTEN GUARDIANS Series

When I started writing Guardian Borne, I had no idea it would grow into a trilogy. The first spark came from my own time at the University of Arizona. I began college at sixteen, and that experience of being young, out of place, and trying to navigate a world that felt too big for me left a lasting mark. It planted the seed for Finn O’Connor—a “normal” student who suddenly finds himself connected to something ancient and extraordinary.

From the beginning, I wanted Finn to be confident, a little cocky, and completely himself. He’s the kind of guy who doesn’t need to be saved. He’s determined to figure things out his own way, even when life keeps throwing impossible truths at him. He also happens to be gay, but I never wanted that to define him; it’s simply part of who he is. What matters most about Finn is his heart, his loyalty, his independence, and his instinct to protect people even when he doesn’t understand the full scope of what he’s protecting them from.

Halfway through writing Guardian Borne, I realized the story I was telling was only the beginning. There were too many unanswered questions about the Guardians, their purpose, and the forces opposing them. Before I even finished the first book, I had mapped out what would become Ancients Return and Last Defenders.

The logical next step was to explore the origins of the Guardians themselves. Who created them? Why? When the artifact activates at the end of Guardian Borne, it opens the door to those questions and gives me the perfect bridge to Book 2. I’ve always been fascinated by humanity’s collective belief in something greater...whether we call it science, faith, or destiny. In The Ancients Return, I wanted to take that belief and make it tangible. What if the “higher power” wasn’t just watching over us, but had actually created a race to guide us?

That’s where the Ancients came in. They’re not gods in the traditional sense, but their influence runs deep. They represent the idea that evolution and purpose might not be accidents; that humanity’s growth could have been shepherded by design.

Opposing them is the Conclave, an organization that began with noble intentions but, over time, lost sight of its purpose. They became obsessed with power for its own sake. A reflection of how human institutions, even those built on good ideals, can twist under ambition.

At its heart, though, The Forgotten Guardians series has always been about connection: between people, between past and future, and between who we are and who we’re meant to be. For Finn, that connection begins with distrust and friction, especially with Ethan, but evolves into something powerful and real. Their relationship mirrors the series itself: what begins as conflict gives way to understanding, and what starts as resistance evolves into purpose.

As I move deeper into the Ancients Return, I’m still discovering new layers to this universe. Every time I write, I learn something new about these characters and the world they inhabit. What began as one story about a college swimmer has turned into a journey that spans lifetimes, galaxies, and the question of what it really means to protect humanity.

And for me, that’s the most exciting part. Not just where the story is headed, but how much more there is to uncover.

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This is just the beginning of Finn’s journey.

In Guardian Borne, follow Finn O’Connor as he discovers his true identity and the secret legacy that binds him to an ancient order. Guided and challenged by Ethan Stone, he must master powers he never wanted and face the truth about his parents, his destiny, and the organization that wants to control him.

A story of awakening, loyalty, and love set against the rise of a hidden war for humanity’s future. Join my newsletter to be the first to know when it's available for preorder.

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