Time

"Things take the time they take."

I reminded myself of this for decades. Literally. Decades.

That's how long it took for me to complete the final draft of "One River."

Everyone has dreams. Sometimes it takes a long time to acknowledge them, even longer to act on them. Be patient with yourself. Your dream might not be to write a novel. It might be to explore new places, to become physically and emotionally healthy, to plant a vegetable garden, or embark upon a new career path. I implore you: listen to your dreams, respect them.

The genesis for my novel began in 1987. It stayed with me through my marriage, moves from California to Tennessee and Mississippi, to child rearing years, the deaths of my parents, work, and countless other life events big and small.

The idea for "One River" haunted me. Those thoughts embedded themselves so deeply into my soul that I had no other choice than to wrestle with this story until its completion.

Through the years I pulled out dog-eared files with yellowed newspaper and magazine clippings from the Indian press that I had collected while in India. I studied the face of Roop Kanwar, innocent and youthful at age eighteen when she was burned alive on the funeral pyre with her deceased husband. Her image inspired me to explore the ideas of cultural differences, discrimination, friendship, and the possibility of tearing down walls that separate people.

I believe in the power of diversity and the rewards of learning from others who are different from ourselves. We're all the better for it and it begins with you. Dream on.