What is it about stories that keeps us writing and reading them? Why is it we like some stories over others?

Relationships and philosophy are two of the topics I love reading about so it is not a surprise that Pablo Coelho and Elizabeth Berg are two of my favorite authors. The former writes wonderful philosophical stories and the latter writes powerful novels about relationships. I can read their books cover to cover and then read them again and again.

When I started writing my first novel, Kate's Way, about five years, it came out of inspiration from one of Elizabeth Berg's novels. The topic: relationships.

When I wrote my second novel, The Basket Weaver, the story developed a philosophical/spiritual theme having just finished one of Pablo Coehlo's novels. Initially I started writing to vent and heal from my painful experience with my sister, one I had had for 30 years. But within hours a manuscript developed. Initially I had no plan to write a book. I simply wanted to write through an exercise to create a mental resolution and find peace. With the help of friends and lots of editing I managed to develop a philosophical/spiritual treatise on that relationship and wound up giving myself an enormous healing in the process.

So what are your favorite authors? What topic do you like to read?

Both Kate's Way and The Basket Weaver can be purchased as an ebook on Amazon. (The Basket Weaver might take another few days for Amazon to publish it to my book page.)

If you have been wanting to write a story but feel confused about where to start, begin with your favorite topic.

Until next time,
Jan