A Glass Darkly and Otherwise

Ever thought you misheard?  I did when I was listening to an interview with famous crime writer, Lee Child.  I couldn’t believe my ears when he said it takes him 90 days to write a book.  Hmm, Lee Child, 90 days, Jean Goulden, 4 years!!!

An author friend of mine reminded me when I bemoaned the delays in publishing A Glass Darkly that no time writing a book is wasted time. So does that mean that since I take 16 times as long as Mr Child to write a book, A Glass Darkly is 16 times better than any of his bestsellers?

I’m sure it doesn’t work that way!

All that being said, I’m super proud to have fulfilled a life’s ambition and written my first novel. Perhaps it will pique your interest if I share more about A Glass Darkly.​

Ideas seem to flood into Lee Child’s brain faster than he can type; inspiration strikes rarely for me. A few years ago, I wrote a short story prompted by a question about what happens when everything changes – on a dime. That short story was never published, so you can’t cheat and look it up.  Suffice to say, its central incident is the pivotal incident in A Glass Darkly.

Years and years ago, a friend whose life journey involved cancer introduced me to a poem, “Otherwise” by Jane Kenyon. Cancer patients often note how the little things in life take on deeper significance in the context of their illness. Kenyon’s poem describes everyday activities, punctuated by the line “It could have been otherwise.”  For example,

“I got out of bed on two strong legs,
It could have been otherwise. “  

The poem sowed a seed that I water in A Glass Darkly. My comfortable life – it could have been otherwise. Who am I? Who would I be had it been otherwise?

The rug is yanked from under the Lenox family’s feet in A Glass Darkly.  Who are they now it is “otherwise?”  So, my central theme is that of identity. It’s reprised through some of the supporting characters, including one who has a genetic condition that influences personality. For all its intriguing theme (and sub-themes,) A Glass Darkly is a light read sprinkled with gentle humor. Follow the Lenox family’s fortunes against a New England backdrop and fall in love with three redheads and an indomitable aunt who shows up on Mondays. 

It may have taken a long time, but I did write my novel and,
“it could have been otherwise!” 

I hope you enjoy it and share it with lots of friends.

Scroll down to End Notes, for how to get your copies.

End Notes

Reading

Poetry

Otherwise
Jane Kenyon