“Once you start understanding someone as a person, not a role, it’s impossible to make them a villain anymore.” — Christina Adams Today’s episode of Uncorking a Story shines the light on co-authors Anthony and Christina Adams—writing as A.C. Adams—who unpack the personal odyssey that inspired their debut novel, Chasing Shadows. Fueled by Christina’s search for her vanished father and the shocking truth behind his secret double life, the couple shares how trauma, love, and forgiveness shaped both their storytelling and their souls. From Emmy-winning productions to Broadway dreams, this episode is a testament to creative healing. Key Takeaways: Art Imitates Life, Then Heals It: Chasing Shadows began as a real-life investigation into a father’s disappearance but evolved into a fictional exploration of abandonment, identity, and reconciliation. Behind the Curtain of a Secret Life: Christina discovered her father had been a secret Catholic priest involved with an obscure Vatican-linked order—raising questions about faith, duty, and deception. The Emotional Truth Matters More Than the Facts: Though inspired by real events, the novel focuses on emotional authenticity, exploring how trauma reshapes relationships and self-perception. Creativity as Catharsis: Writing the novel served as a form of therapy for Christina, allowing her to transform betrayal into understanding and anger into empathy. Screenwriters Set Free: For two industry veterans, novel writing offered a liberating shift from screenplay constraints—letting them dig deeper into character psychology and emotional nuance. A Cinematic Blueprint in Book Form: With its visual storytelling and taut structure, Chasing Shadows was crafted to resonate as both literature and a future limited series. Breaking the Publishing Mold: Their choice of a hybrid publisher allowed for creative control and a streamlined path to publication, reflecting a changing landscape in storytelling. Buy Chasing Shadows Amazon: https://amzn.to/3GetLLJ Bookshop.org https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9798885281249 YouTube Channel: @adams-entertainment-inc Connect with AC Adams Website: https://adams-entertainment.com/ Connect with Mike Website: https://uncorkingastory.com/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSvS4fuG3L1JMZeOyHvfk_g Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uncorkingastory/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@uncorkingastory Twitter: https://twitter.com/uncorkingastory Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uncorkingastory LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/uncorking-a-story/ If you liked this episode, please share it with a friend. If you have not done so already, please rate and review Uncorking a Story on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. #ChasingShadows #PodcastInterview #FamilySecrets #CreativeHealing #ACAdams #HybridPublishing #uncorkingastory #NovelToScreen #catholic Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices