Latest Essays

The Moment of Creation

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A novelist creates fiction, but often the characters, settings, and emotions come from our own lives.

Why a Stuffed Harp Seal?

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A stuffed animal isn’t a toy. It can be form of protection: a way to feel safe.

Why Do You Write Fiction?

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That’s when I understood something simple: fiction can tell the truth in ways journalism can’t.

What’s Real…Becomes Fiction

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Many readers have noticed that the violent scenes in my work are described in detail but rarely paired with overt emotion.