Love’s Remains, book 2 in the Where You‘ll Land series is now available. If you follow my writing, you know that all of my books have underlying psychological themes. When I switched from non-fiction to fiction, part of my intent was to expand and deepen the exploration of psychology through my characters as well as offer readers the opportunity to see how psychological theory looks in action, the way we see it as psychotherapists, the way that we come to understand people through observation. I wanted to put words to motivations that people have often asked me about. The ‘whys’ behind human behavior.
When I began my studies in psychology many years ago, it was psychoanalytic theory that first interested me. The rich complexity of the dynamics within us and between us. What makes people act and do what they do, nothing was (and still is) more fascinating to me. Soon after that I discovered existentialism, which I love just as much. What a rich exploration and examination of the things in life that both break us and make us, all of the universal experiences that define the essence of human nature.
Switching to fiction allowed me to create characters and set a scene, hopefully making it real enough and interesting enough that it would grip readers who wanted a good story, while also affording those who wanted the opportunity for deeper contemplation to have a window. That is, I wanted to offer readers almost what you’d get in early psychotherapy sessions: questions that lead to thinking about yourself, your circumstances, and others in a way that might provide insight and growth. I also wanted to offer those outside of the field a deeper understanding of why we do what we do while also giving a story that was compelling, emotional and real.
True growth and understanding has to come from within the individual. As you will read in Love’s Remains personal history, personality and social context all influence our emotions, our actions, our decisions. Therefore, answers about life and relationships are different for everyone. That’s why instead of answering in therapy, we learn to ask in a very precise manner. This way, we offer the person the opportunity to find what I believe we all can. Our own way. Our own potential for better decisions, more authentic living. Our personal resilience.
The path to growth comes not from answers but from asking questions, helping people look at their lives a little differently. As the character of Dr. Wright tells his students in the book: “Create curiosity.” Well, in my experience this is the essence of psychotherapy and/or for any type of change for anyone: asking the right questions.
It is for this reason that I created this series with characters in a psychology program. I mean, write what you know, they say and so I did; but I also wanted introspective characters, each of whom would offer the opportunity – to those readers who wanted it – to learn something about themselves through their story arcs, through their questions. I wanted to give readers the opportunity to think deeper about love, if they wanted to. And for those who didn’t, I wanted to give lots of drama and entanglements. I hope I’ve succeeded.
Love’s Remains is book 2 in the Where You’ll Land series. These characters’ journeys will continue; all the books will explore various aspects of love and relationships. I already have ideas for the next book in the series. If you have a question, please write to me. I just may place it into one of the character story arcs.
I’m working on two others books right now. One is the spin-off from Forever and One Day, Before the Footprints Fade. The story is complex and is taking a much longer time than I had expected, but my hope is to have it out early next year. The other book is a story written from my cat’s point of view. Trying something different. Life through his eyes. It’s turning out to be really interesting writing. It’s witty, but also lightly philosophical as he observes humans in action and how complicated we make our lives. I think it’s going to be a bit of tearjerker, heartwarming and fun.
I post about my books as I’m writing them, teasers and excerpts as well as a little about the journey of writing on my Instagram and Facebook pages. If you’re interested in following the progress of the books, you’ll find daily posts there. I love connecting with my readers!
Thank you again for your interest in my work.