I came to the conclusion that unrealized hopes, even small ones, were always wrenching.

I think that setting a novel in a small town taps into a sense of nostalgia among readers. People tend to believe life is different in small towns, and frankly, it is different.

Before I started (college), that's the advice my dad gave me. He said to pick classes based on the teacher whenever you can, not the subject...his point was that good teachers are priceless. They inspire you, they entertain you, and you end up learning a ton even when you don't know it.

I have come to realize that destiny can hurt a person as much as it can bless him.

What it's like to be a parent: It's one of the hardest things you'll ever do but in exchange it teaches you the meaning of unconditional love.

Who am I? And how, I wonder, will this story end?

All characters come from people I know, but after the initial inspiration, I tend to modify the characters so they fit with the story.