Hello everyone!!
Since publishing the Character Introductions chapter for Mia, one thought has stayed with me—I didn’t give this first chapter the kind of introduction my debut book truly deserves.
When I first wrote Mia back in 2019, it was one of the most personal, emotional, and healing experiences of my life. But when I uploaded it here, I was nervous. I rushed through the beginning, more focused on getting it out there than making it feel whole. In that rush, the first chapter didn’t get the heart it needed.
Mia’s story is raw, vulnerable, and layered with emotion—much like my own—and I wanted that to come through from the very first page. So, I took a step back, breathed, and rewrote it. The chapter now goes deeper into who Mia is—her quiet strength, her pain, her loneliness, and the small spark of hope that begins to grow when someone finally sees her. I poured everything I had into this rewrite, and I hope it resonates with you in a deeper, more powerful way.
If you’ve read it before, I’d love for you to revisit it. And if you’re discovering it for the first time, welcome. I’m so grateful you’re here. This story means the world to me, and I hope that somewhere in these pages, it means something to you, too.
Thank you for supporting Mia—and for seeing her the way I do.
With love and honesty,
Catherin Bakaloff