Behind the book: What drives a writer toward her subject?

I frequently get asked what prompted me to write a story about a mother who kills. It's a fair question. If you told me five years ago that I'd be writing about this subject, I might have looked at you like you had banana peel shoes. (And if you do own a pair of banana peel shoes, I mean no disrespect, but I hope you have good insurance.)

Ultimately, I did write about the subject of maternal filicide, but not without a good bit of trepidation. Though JANEOLOGY is set in motion by this troubling crime, I decided that looking at the crime would be most compelling through the eyes of her spouse, Tom - who lived with her, loved her, and ultimately, heart-breakingly, was somehow unable to see the mental breakdown occuring right before his eyes. If you were him, what questions would you be asking? That's where my first series of 'what ifs' began.

So don't be scared off by that initial premise. It launches the idea of the story, but is certainly not what the novel is really about. It's primarily about how nature and nurture illumine the other, producing the choices of one mysterious Jane Nelson.

Want to know more about the backstory behind the writing of JANEOLOGY?
Book blog The Story Behind The Book allowed me to guest blog today about the early development and inspirations that set JANEOLOGY in motion.

View my article at the link below:

http://www.thestorybehindthebook.wordpress.com/


And don't forget to leave a comment on this blog along with your email address to be eligible for the book giveaway at the end of my May 08 blog tour.

Thanks!
Karen

To read an excerpt and watch the video book trailer visit http://www.thestorybehindthebook.wordpress.com/