Ink & Shadows: The Words of Osiris j Reapor

Let me start by saying—I am not a “talented” writer. English was (and still is) my worst subject. Aside from a bit of poetry—which, let’s be honest, is a whole different beast—I’ve never been naturally good at writing. Grammar and punctuation? A nightmare. Turning my thoughts into polished prose? Chaotic at best.

So, how did I end up here, with a debut novel in my hands?

Honestly, Even Half-Moons Smile started five years ago as nothing more than a snippet of an idea—just an ending that wouldn’t leave my mind. I didn’t know how to get to that ending, but I knew I had to try. As I wrote, I found my story becoming something more—a patchwork of my own experiences. Love, loss, combat, alcoholism, growth, and grief bled onto the page. It became a deeply personal novel, and in many ways, a form of healing.

When I began, my first draft was barely 40 pages. It was a mess, just fragments of thoughts and images. The hardest part was learning how to transform the vivid scenes in my head into words the world could understand. My writing process was (and still is) chaotic. The first pass of any passage is a rough sketch—almost unrecognizable from the polished version you’ll read. But each messy draft was a step forward.

There were so many days when I wanted to quit. The voice in my head would say, You’re not a writer. You’ll never finish.But I had to remind myself why I started. This story was for my sons—E, L, and D. I wanted to show them that dreams are worth chasing, even when they feel impossible. I also needed to prove to myself that I could finish what I started.

My characters—Toa, Honu, and Maikoh—each carry a piece of me. They embody the parts of my journey I struggled to understand: the strength to endure, the wisdom to forgive, and the hope to rebuild.

How has writing this book changed me? I’m not sure yet. I just know I’m not the same. I hope that when you read Even Half-Moons Smile, it stirs something deep within you—maybe a spark of understanding, a moment of reflection, or the courage to face your own story.

Thank you for being here. Thank you for reading. This is just the beginning.