I had been writing for older kids, ‘tweens and teens, but I needed to make a change and write about adult issues. I have always been part of the women’s movement from its inception in the early 70’s and had a number of ideas for books that dealt with the issues women face. I have been writing poetry in this
genre for many, many years and expect to publish a book of poetry later this year. It simply segued nicely into prose.
What is your favorite part of writing for this group? What is the greatest challenge?
My favorite part is saying things most people keep hidden; the controversial issues that are tucked away in the back of the mind. That’s why I find fiction a wonderful mechanism to do that, because you can make up a story, like an allegory that says what you want to express without being obvious.
The greatest challenge is saying them in a way that everyone will understand without being preachy or accusatory; opening them to the light, so to speak and letting the reader make her own decision. When you write, you have to avoid letting your own personal feelings or history become emotionally overwhelming
and that can be challenging.
Can you tell us what your latest book is all about?
Gaia’s Gift is the story of Rachel Wells who loses everything she loves in a sudden storm off the coast of Southwest Florida. Filled with survivor’s guilt and bereft, she turns her back on the world and moves with her cat to an isolated island. Rachel, an herbalist, an animal whisperer, and a believer in the natural world, looks upon Gaia, Mother Earth as the avenger, wreaking vengeance upon the inhabitants of Earth whom the Goddess sees as destroyers and plunderers. When tiny Abigail washes up on shore, Rachel believes Gaia has given her a special gift from the sea.
Rachel loses all her perspective and sees the child as her life line to survival. There are paranormal elements in their interaction with the animals and ability to sense and communicate with the dead. As Abigail emergences into
adolescence the outside world lays claim to their lives. Unexpected love enters Rachel’s life and the consequences of what she has done, threatens to destroy the life she has built around the years of deception. Rachel learns that a gift
from the Gods is not given freely, but payment will be expected, sometimes with your life.
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