Cristina asked Patry Francis:

Hello Patry, I have just finished Orphans. What a beautiful story, well written, engaging, and with well portrayed characters. I read a lot, but I havent read a story I liked this much in a while. In fact, when I keep on thinking about the characters, even during the day, then it means a story really touched me. Did you think the story first, and then the different characters came alive? thank you very much!. Cristina

Patry Francis Well, good morning, Cristina! I'm so sorry I didn't respond to your lovely comment or question sooner, but apparently, I didn't get a notification when you posted it. Thank you, thank you for your kind words--which may mean even more to me seven months after you wrote them, as I'm working on the second draft of a new novel, a process that always fills me with alternate bursts of euphoric hope and doubt. With Orphans, as with my new novel, what came to me first was one character who was compelling enough for me to follow. Gus, the child, and then the adult is an entirely fictional character, but he felt so real to me that it's still hard for me to believe he doesn't exist. Thanks again! Patry

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