How We Came To Be
“Ten Things Readers and
Writers Need To Know”
by Johnnie Bernhard
A
s an author, I am always fascinated with metamorphosis,
particularly in people. What makes us change over the
years? This is a theme in my first novel, A Good Girl,
and in my second novel, How We Came to Be.
1. The cover art of both novels reflect the theme of change
and self-discovery with the two young girls featured
on the covers. In A Good Girl, the girl is looking into
the future. In How We Came to Be the young girl is
suspended from a monkey bar rung, which symbolizes a
difficult time she will encounter in the plot of the novel.
Life brings change, constantly. How we handle that
change determines our life course, and ultimately, says
who we are as individuals. In How We Came to Be, three
females, all different ages and at different stages in life,
learn something from each other, even from themselves,
in navigating difficult changes.
I always introduce a character who is a refugee in
my writing. I am fascinated by their stories of courage
throughout history, and the iron will it takes to survive
as a refugee.
2. In How We Came to Be, Leona Supak is a WWII
refugee from Budapest, Hungry. I visited Budapest
several years ago and was emotionally moved by a
memorial to the Jewish population of Budapest who
lost their lives during WWII. That image stayed
with me for several years until I was able to develop
the character of Leona Supak. I also introduce a
Vietnamese couple in the novel, who overcome great
hardships to be owners of their own business.
Because I am fascinated by change, divorce is
certainly life changing to many. The ebb and flow of
relationships between men and women, both joyful
and painful, is something most readers can identify
with. As an author the human condition and writing
about it is very important to me.
3. The protagonist in How We Came to Be is a divorced
woman raising a teenage daughter. A full time teacher,
Karen Anders not only struggles with her failed
marriage, but the guilt of raising a child alone. This
character repeatedly says throughout the novel,
“He’s someone I use to love.”
I only create a setting in a novel I am familiar with.
4. Authenticity is very important when creating the
setting within the novel. I only write about places
I have either visited or lived. I am a visual person;
so fortunately, I can develop many ideas for a plot,
setting, and characters based on what I have seen and
yes, heard.
I enjoy writing internal dialogue, because it allows
the reader to know the inner, psychological thoughts of
a character. It allows us to become more intimate with
the character.
5. This is a technique I used in A Good Girl and How
We Came to Be. How We Came to Be is written in first
person narrative, which also allows for more intimacy
between the characters and reader.
I write about “real” life problems people face every
day. Usually, I get an idea from current social issues
reported in the news media.
6. For How We Came to Be, I researched the illegal use of
prescription drugs, particularly among college students
who use Adderall as a study aide. I developed a character
for the novel who struggles with this. It is not to make
a judgement, but rather to write about current issues
people are struggling with, and ultimately, overcome.
For the protagonist, Karen Anders, her internal conflict
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