Someone in the recent book group asked, "Do you like your characters?" The way she asked, I imagined there was someone in the book she didn't, but I decided to take her question at face value, because, in fact, I love my characters. I've lived with mean people, and I have to live with my fictional souls for years, so I'd rather not live with mean ones. Readers can and do feel any way they wish to about these folks. People we love do all sorts of reprehensible things such that others might not find them worthy of their love.

So then another book club member said, "Your love for them was so evident that when they behaved badly or came on dark times, that care held them until they regrouped as a family." It was all I could do not to run across the room and give her a big smooch.