Why Do You Read Fiction?

Keepin' it short and sweet today with a question inspired from Jodi Picoult’s The Storyteller. In her latest book, one of the main characters contemplates, “That’s why we read fiction isn’t it? To remind us that whatever we suffer, we’re not the only ones?”

Agree? Disagree?

Why do you read fiction?

What’s in a Name?

My family has spent the last month trying to come up with a name we can all agree on for a puppy we’re planning to buy in the spring. On more than one occasion someone will throw out a name and three out of the five of us will be on board. At other more unfortunate times, four of us give the thumbs up and one will veto the suggested name.

As an author, I understand the significance of names. I’ll confess I’ve taken week long hiatuses from my novels if I keep getting the feeling I’ve misnamed one of the characters. It rubs me wrong. So wrong I need to walk away from the book until I get it right.

So, what’s in a name?

Many of us don’t give it much thought. Though, I have come across several people in my life who’ve loathed their name since birth.

I like to be intentional when it comes to my character’s names.

In my recently released novella, THE DISAPPERING KEY I chose names with specific significance. At a book club discussing my book recently, individuals asked me about this. (A related question regarding names is listed as one of the book club questions at the back of the book.)

I’m going to give you some of the answers today. See, it pays to pay attention. ;-)

Oriana (fourteen-year-old main character’s first name) = dawn, gold, to rise

Nephesh (last name of seventy-year-old main character, Viola) = Hebrew word commonly rendered as “soul”

*More information about the character’s names to come in future posts.

**Btw, we chose a name for the pup. I’ll keep you in suspense a little longer on that though.

I miss my One Question Fridays. If you haven’t visited Thoughts that Move for long, years ago, on Fridays, 

I’d throw out some obscure (and sometimes not so obscure) question and accompany the inquiry with numerous photos.

Here’s a nod to those Friday questions…

What I want to know today is…what would you like to be called other than your name? If you could select a new name for yourself what would it be & why?

A Launch Party to Remember

Last night I felt like I was living a scene right out of It’s a Wonderful Life. Friends, acquaintances, and regular book club attendees gathered at a local coffee shop to discuss my book, ask me questions, and have their books signed. Neighbors, women from my book clubs, fellow writers, librarians, church members, folks from the local elementary school, and good friends, old and new, showed up.

Not only did I sell all of my copies of The Disappearing Key, I felt an overwhelming amount of support.

Toward the end of the evening, I answered questions and received invaluable feedback that reminded me why I was excited to get my work out there.

Oh what a night, indeed! One I know I’ll not soon forget.

Thanks to all who made the effort to be there! And for those who couldn’t make it, you were missed.

*In case you missed them, I wrote guest posts for Julie Jarnagin (From Puddle Play to Stain Removal: Novel Writing from Mud to Clean) & Lindsay Harrel (The Heart of a Lonely Writer) yesterday.