Water has always been my element. As a child, I could rarely be kept out of pools, waves, or Texas creeks, my imagination drifting toward mermaids and hidden underwater worlds.

After the birth of my second child, I found myself navigating postpartum depression and anxiety. In that difficult season, writing became both an escape and a lifeline. My debut novel, Alteration, began as a refuge, something just for me, but grew into a story I’m deeply proud to share. Ondine’s journey reflects my own transformation: from a rigid religious upbringing toward a more open and inclusive worldview. Writing from her perspective was often challenging, pulling me back into spaces I had worked hard to leave behind. Yet guiding her beyond those limits became a deeply healing and empowering experience.

Learn more about S.E. and her books here: Home - S.E. Wheeler