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Stories and Insights
Welcome to Backstory—the part no one sees but every story depends on.
This is where I unpack the creative chaos, the breakthroughs, the doubts, and the real-life moments that shape my fiction. Sometimes it’s about the writing. Sometimes it’s about the world. But it’s always honest.
I’ll share what fuels my stories, what keeps me curious, and where this whole thing is going next.
Jump in. Think out loud. Challenge something. I’m here for the conversation.


Why The Best Sci-Fi Thrillers Make Us Question the True Cost of Progress
Discover the thrill of innovation’s darker side—where sci-fi thrillers reveal the hidden costs of progress and ethical dilemmas.

Monica Chase


The CRISPR Revolution and the Power We Are Not Ready For
How the global CRISPR revolution shapes its innovative use in medicine and agriculture, and sparks crucial debates on ethics and safety.

Monica Chase
Featured Essays
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The Author's Journey
Welcome to The Author’s Journey — a behind-the-scenes look at what it really takes to write fiction. From stubborn plot twists to late-night edits and publishing curveballs, this is the messy, real-time evolution of a storyteller chasing clarity, connection, and control.


Paper Bills in 2025? The Copay That Time Forgot
A routine dental visit becomes an analog comedy of errors—paper bill, no online pay, stamps & scissors—proving tech fails us in the funniest ways.

Monica Chase
Aug 13, 2025


When Author Virtual Assistant Services Miss the Mark
I tried to hire a Virtual Assistant. I came prepped with a one-pager and high hopes. What I got was a no-show interview and total silence. This isn’t a rant. It’s a cautionary tale for indie authors who outsource with optimism and get ghosted instead. If you’re building a business of one, here’s what happens when your prep is sharp, the service is shiny, and the system quietly breaks.

Monica Chase
Aug 6, 2025


Some Doors Wait for You. Some You Break Down
Some doors make you fight for them. Some just wait until you’re ready. This is what happens when life hands you a key you didn’t know was yours—and everything changes.

Monica Chase
Jul 16, 2025


This Was Out Of My Comfort Zone
A conversation I almost said no to. What do you do when your voice shakes, your palms sweat, and your brain starts running ahead of your mouth? You say yes to a podcast interview anyway. I recently sat down with Tim Trott on Author to Author to talk about my speculative fiction series, The Helix Chronicles , and how I went from corporate strategist to full-time writer exploring the ethics of gene editing, rogue AI, and power in the wrong hands. It’s a conversation I almost b

Monica Chase
Jul 8, 2025


Dear Future Me: Encouragement for Writers Who Feel Like Quitting
Feeling burnt out or lost in your writing journey? This funny, heartfelt pep talk from your future self is exactly what you need to keep going.

Monica Chase
Apr 22, 2025


What I Learned Updating My Goodreads Author Page
Updating my book cover on Goodreads turned into a metadata maze of ghosts, rules, and surprises. Here's what every author should know.

Monica Chase
Apr 2, 2025


Fear Said No. She Said Watch Me
She faced wild animals, a rare diagnosis, and the blank page—then became a published author at 70. Brenda E. Smith’s story is unforgettable

Monica Chase
Mar 21, 2025


How to Break Free from Overwhelm and Take Back Your Time
Feeling overwhelmed? Stop adding more. Start cutting what’s dragging you down. Here’s how to break free and take back your time.

Monica Chase
Feb 11, 2025


I Thought I Was Writing a Book. Instead, I’m Unraveling My Own Story
I set out to write a memoir. Instead, I found myself unraveling the story I thought I knew—and facing the truth I wasn’t ready to admit.

Monica Chase
Feb 4, 2025


The Messy Middle: How to Keep Going When Your Creative Journey Feels Overwhelming
Feeling stuck in the messy middle of your creative journey? Why the weight matters, how to handle it, & why it’s worth pushing through.

Monica Chase
Nov 18, 2024


How to Stay Productive as a Writer (Writing Tips For When It Feels Impossible)
Struggling to stay productive as a writer? Discover simple strategies like habit stacking, time blocking, and quirky rewards to boost focus!

Monica Chase
Oct 2, 2024


Why Embracing Mediocrity Can Lead to Mastery
Explore why embracing mediocrity can lead to mastery. Learn how consistent effort often outperforms the quest for perfection.

Monica Chase
Jun 22, 2024


Humanity vs. Technology: How My Tech-Inspired Novels Explore Our Deepest Connections (plus my favorite motivational writing tips)
Practical Writing Tips for Aspiring Authors: Master Storytelling Where Tech Meets Humanity

Monica Chase
Jun 5, 2024


Writing Motivation: How to Thrive as a New Author (Insights and Tips)
New author tips: Capture spontaneous ideas, commit time daily, celebrate progress, embrace half-baked ideas, and connect with readers.

Monica Chase
May 19, 2024


The Art of Stumbling Gracefully - Embracing Failure
Dive into the art of gracefully stumbling through life’s ambitions, where every misstep is a hidden step towards our true selves.

Monica Chase
Apr 5, 2024


Transforming Triggers: Lessons from an Old House and Personal Growth
Introduction: The Old House and Its Story There’s an old house near where I live, built in the 1800s. It's charming yet slightly wonky, a...

Monica Chase
Dec 6, 2023


A Hostage Negotiator Made Me a Better Writer
Recently, a freelance opportunity presented itself to me. Extremely excited at the prospect, I was eager to dive in but felt a little...

Monica Chase
Jul 18, 2023


The Surprising Lesson I learned From A 75-year-old
Ever feel like your path or journey in life is unclear? And that whatever you’re trying to accomplish is taking forever or that others...

Monica Chase
Jul 18, 2023


Things don’t get easy; you just learn to handle hard better
I occasionally get anxious. Yes, earthshattering, I know. It’s normal to experience doubt or anxiety when so much is at stake. Writing is...

Monica Chase
Jul 17, 2023


Chasing Thoughts
Welcome to (The Chase - Monica's Blog) Well, this is awkward. I’m Monica Chase, and this is my blog—which means I’m supposed to tell you a little about myself without sounding like a résumé or a hostage note. Let’s get this out of the way: I’ve been devouring books since I was tall enough to reach the library counter. Writing came soon after. Now I write stories about the not-so-distant future, where science blurs the line between progress and fallout, and ordinary people are

Monica Chase
Jul 1, 2023
More Behind The Curtain
I don’t just write about twisted biotech and shady power grabs—I talk about them too.
Head over to my YouTube channel for deep dives, behind-the-scenes, and theories I maybe shouldn't say out loud.

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Unlock the Hidden Files
Get deeper access to the backchannels of The Helix Chronicles—where classified character files, off-the-record reveals, and story-layer secrets live. You won’t find this in the books.
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