How deep do I dig into my own experience, in my own voice, when crafting a story? If I go too deep, will the reader disconnect?Take The Fish Dress, where a mother caught in an abusive marriage tries to hold the family together for the sake of the child and in a needy way, the …
When we moved to Maine in 1989 and my bi-racial son entered 3rd grade, I did not foresee that there would be problems in school, but it wasn’t long before I knew something was wrong. One morning, he hid under the bed covers, crying and saying he hated himself. Finally, he admitted that the kids …
Read more “Why Do You Call Me Chocolate Boy? – Lessons Learned”
I’ve been pregnant with The Fish Dress for over ten years. One day, while living in Maine, my sister and I were on a hunt for used dishes, books, and vintage clothing at the local thrift shop. I spotted a black and white dress etched with fishbones and mysterious symbols, and I had to have …
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