Nonfiction/Memoir, Adventure, Coming of Age, Drama
Date Published: March 24, 2025
Publisher: MindStir Media
"Life on the road was a dream. Destinations were shaping up to be
cold, hard, complicated realities."
The call of the open road, the music that fuels them, and the night that
changed everything... In the early 1990s, amidst the gritty allure of
Southern California's burgeoning music scene, 18-year-old Denver finds
herself at a crossroads. Her father has been missing for over a year,
leaving behind a void that haunts her every moment. After high school
graduation, Denver and her best friend hit the road for a transformative
journey across the country.
Interview
Introduce yourself and tell me about what you do. Born in Los Angeles and raised in Huntington Beach, California, I grew up immersed in the vibrant West Coast grunge and alt music scenes of the early '90s. It was a time of transformation, with music and culture shaping a generation. During this period, my love for video and film began to take root. At just 12 years old, I started making my own music videos, using our family camcorder to dress up with friends and lip sync to our favorite tracks. These early creations were my first steps into the world of visual storytelling. Growing up in Huntington Beach, I was fortunate to witness a local music scene on the verge of greatness. I watched bands like No Doubt and Sublime perform in small clubs, with crowds barely breaking 20 people. Living so close to Los Angeles, I was constantly fueled by the city’s boundless creativity and energy. After a defining moment when my friends and I found ourselves in Nirvana’s iconic “Smells Like Teen Spirit” music video, that experience was a turning point, sparking a newfound desire to explore the creative world of filmmaking.
I pursued my studies in film and photography at California State University, Fullerton, where I earned a degree in communications with a focus on film. During my time there, I curated photography exhibitions throughout Orange County and Los Angeles. As my passion for filmmaking continued to evolve, I furthered my education at the Los Angeles Film School, specializing in directing
I transitioned into the film industry, creating my own video and film projects where I took on the roles of director, editor, and cinematographer. One of my pieces,
Contemporary America, was selected for YouTube Play, a global creative video competition at the Guggenheim Museum, which celebrated outstanding talent in online video. I also worked as a production designer on TV pilots and short films and served as a set photographer for music videos featuring artists such as Sean Lennon and Stevie Nicks.
I recently published my memoir,
Luna Court, a deeply personal project that has always been intended to eventually become a film. This memoir is more than just a story—it's the raw, unfiltered account of my life, particularly the years I spent navigating the aftermath of a series of traumatic and life-shattering events. My mother’s heartbreaking suicide, followed by my father’s mental breakdown when I was just 14 years old, set the stage for a turbulent and unpredictable journey that I never could have anticipated.
In
Luna Court, I dive into the complexity of these events and the emotional landscape they shaped. I recount the story of my teenage years when my dear friend and I, both struggling with our own personal issues, set off on a cross-country road trip in the early 1990s. We were young and naive, with the open road ahead of us offering both freedom and uncertainty. What started as an adventure turned into something far more profound. In a twist of fate, we discovered my father—who had been missing for over a year. It was a miraculous and life-altering moment, one that would forever change the course of my life.
But
Luna Court is not just about these pivotal moments in my life. It’s about the journey of healing and self-discovery that followed. In the years after these traumatic events, I faced the challenging task of unraveling the deep scars they had left on me. I had to confront the memories, the pain, and the emotional weight of everything I had endured, and ultimately, I began a process of healing. The journey wasn’t easy, but it was necessary. It was through this process that I found my voice and realized the power of storytelling—not just as a means of personal expression, but as a way to connect with others.
As I continue to navigate my own healing journey, I’ve made it my mission to help other trauma survivors recognize that they are not alone. Through the art of storytelling, I want to offer others the same sense of connection and understanding that I’ve found. Sharing our experiences—our struggles, our pain, and our triumphs—can be transformative. It allows us to see that we are not isolated in our pain, and that there is a community of survivors out there who truly understand. My hope is that my story will inspire others to share theirs and, in turn, create a powerful network of empathy and support for anyone who has ever experienced trauma.
Tell me more about your journey as an author, including the writing processes. I began writing this book 20 years ago, when the story hadn’t fully taken shape. At that time, I wasn’t ready to tell it, nor was I able to see it for what it truly was. I had a sense of the story’s potential, but the pieces hadn’t come together. Writing, for me, was more about exploration—more about testing the waters and trying to understand the fragments of my life that I was unsure of. There were many moments of doubt, uncertainty, and frustration during those early years. I would write, then put the manuscript aside, unsure of where it was headed or if it was even worth pursuing. I wasn’t yet ready to dive into the rawness of it all or embrace the vulnerability that comes with sharing such personal experiences.
As a memoir, this was never going to be just a recounting of events—it’s a journey of understanding the deeper meanings behind those moments, what they revealed about me, and how they shaped the person I became. It was a story not just of what happened, but why it mattered. And to fully understand that, I had to live through more, reflect more, and gather the wisdom that time alone can provide. I had to gain perspective, not just on the past but on how it fit into the broader narrative of my life.
Over the years, the book slowly transformed, much like I did. There were countless drafts, revisions, and moments of uncertainty, but also moments of clarity. I learned that writing is not always about getting everything perfect from the start—it’s about digging deeper, unraveling layers, and allowing yourself the grace to discover what the story is really about. There were times when I felt overwhelmed by the emotional weight of what I was revisiting, but I also found strength in those moments, because each one helped me grow as both a writer and a person.
I came to realize that writing this memoir required more than just recounting the facts—it required confronting some of my hardest memories and making sense of them in a way that was honest and meaningful. The process wasn’t just about documenting the past; it was about connecting the dots, making sense of the chaos, and finding the lessons hidden within the challenges.
It wasn’t just about telling my story anymore. It became about telling a story that could speak to others who might have walked a similar path. There were moments when the words came easily, flowing from a place of understanding, and there were times when I had to step back and reconsider how best to express what I’d learned. But each step of the process was a step toward clarity, toward understanding my own journey, and toward articulating the message that I finally feel is ready to be shared with the world.
I’ve come to understand the significance of what I experienced and how it can resonate with others who’ve faced their own struggles and triumphs. The act of writing this book was, in itself, a journey of self-discovery, and now I’m ready to share that journey with others, trusting that the lessons within these pages will connect with those who need them most.
Tell me about your book The story of Denver, shaped by loss and driven by a fierce desire to find her father and carve out a new life, speaks to anyone who's ever faced the messiness of grief, growth, and finding their place in the world. At 18, with her father missing and her mother gone, Denver sets out on a journey to a new life, fueled by dreams of opening a vintage clothing store and a record shop. But it’s not just about the dreams; it’s about the people she meets, the trials she faces, and the raw moments of self-discovery that mark her transformation.
This memoir isn’t just a recount of events, but a reflection on how those events — the unexpected dangers, the struggles of being young and trying to figure out who you are — come together to teach lessons about resilience, friendship, and the power of acceptance. The chaotic, beautiful uncertainty of the 90s music scene provides the backdrop, but it’s Denver’s internal growth, the way she learns to navigate her own pain and find her way forward, that truly drives the narrative.
The undercurrent of healing through love — the love she has for her father, and the love she finds in herself and her friendships — makes this a deeply emotional and empowering story. It's a reminder that no matter how nonlinear or imperfect our paths may be, they are ours to take, full of bumps, joys, and the occasional triumph that makes it all worth it.
Through moments of youthful rebellion, late-night adventures, and quiet reflections, the story calls readers to embrace their own journeys with hope and resilience, knowing that even in the most difficult times, there is beauty to be found in the struggle. The mention of the Smells Like Teen Spirit music video adds a nice personal touch, placing the memoir in the cultural context of the time, while also marking a pivotal moment in Denver’s own evolution. This story isn't just about a daughter searching for her father — it’s about learning how to live and grow, even when the world feels uncertain.
Any message for our readers If you’ve ever navigated loss, questioned your place in the world, or struggled to find your way, this memoir will speak to you. Denver’s journey is a powerful story of personal transformation, shaped by grief and fueled by a fierce desire to build a new life. At 18, with her father gone and her mother absent, she sets off on a path driven by dreams of opening a vintage clothing store and a record shop. But it’s not just about those dreams—it’s about the people she encounters, the obstacles she faces, and the deeply personal moments that guide her growth.
Set against the vibrant and chaotic backdrop of the 90s music scene, this memoir is more than a chronicle of a time—it’s an introspective look at resilience, friendship, and the life-changing impact of love. Denver learns to face her pain and discover the beauty in her own transformation.
It’s a journey that reminds us all that growth doesn’t have to be neat or linear, but it’s always meaningful.
At its core, this story is about healing through love—the love Denver holds for her father, the love she uncovers for herself, and the love that blooms within her friendships. It’s a deeply moving and empowering tale, showing us that despite the rough patches and setbacks, there’s always space for growth, joy, and the occasional triumph that makes everything worthwhile.
In the end, this memoir is not just about a daughter searching for her father—it’s about finding the strength to live, grow, and embrace life’s imperfections. It’s a story that will resonate with anyone on their own path to healing and self-discovery.
StoryThis deeply emotional and visually rich narrative starts when Dandy, a teenage girl in the early 1990s, embarks on a profound journey with her close friend. Together, they travel across the country in search of Dandy’s missing father, hoping to uncover answers and reclaim a sense of closure.
The pages of
Luna Court unfold as Dandy navigates the raw grief of losing both parents in such tragic ways. As the story progresses, it brings us closer to Dandy’s psyche, exploring not only her determination to locate her father but also the deep emotional and mental toll that the search had on her. The hauntingly beautiful narrative of
Luna Court is not just about the struggle to find someone; it’s about the journey of healing, self-identity, and the power of friendship. Dandy’s friendship with her travel companion is a pillar of strength in the story, and through their shared experiences, we witness a profound exploration of loyalty, support, and personal growth.
Ultimately,
Luna Court is a tribute to the human spirit's ability to find light even in the darkest of places.
About the Author
You might say Dandy’s lifelong pursuit of healing began in many
places: with parents who both abandoned her in different ways; with the
incredible cross-country road trip she embarked on as a teenager; or with a
transcendent night in Washington D.C.
The truth is, healing is not about beginnings or about endings. It’s
an invitation that beckons to every one of us.
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