Back Story Matters in Fiction– and Life

Like all fiction writers, I strive to create characters readers will care about. But  that only works if I care about the life experiences that have shaped them. To do that, I’ve found it essential to delve deeply into their backgrounds. Much of what I learn will never appear in my novels, but my characters’…

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In the Midst of Heartbreak: Things That Give Me Hope

  I did not know whether I could write a blog this week. Between the heartbreaking news that we have lost more than 100,000 of our citizens to this deadly global virus and the senseless and brutal murder of George Floyd, it’s been tough for me to focus. And I know I’m not alone. Adding…

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Crying While Watching Morning Joe

I don’t usually cry watching Morning Joe. Well, that’s not quite true. The horrifying images of the inhumane and immoral treatment of immigrants at our borders have certainly brought me to tears. But yesterday, I cried about something good, something inspiring, the story Mike Barnicle told about Joe Biden’s generous outpouring of emotional support for…

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