is her loneliness as a single parent, which manifests
itself into a temporary dependence on alcohol. Again,
the point is not to be judgemental of the characters, but
rather to recognize change in life often brings difficulties
in people’s lives. Without giving the plot away, there is
a happy ending. It also is a reflection upon the novel’s
title, How We Came to Be, not who we were during a
difficult time, but who we became because of someone’s
love and the beauty of second changes.
Another overarching theme in this novel is the
sisterhood. There is something quite magical about
true friendship among women.
7. The female characters range in age, but the most
significant friendship is between the middle-aged
protagonist and the refugee, Leona, a woman in her
eighties who not only is wise, but also spiritually
sound. This serves as a touch stone to the troubled
protagonist and her floundering daughter.
I use anxiety and frustrations. In the following
character, I was able to use what all writers feel during
the difficult stage of finding a publisher.
8. The male character of Matt Broussard serves as a
tribute to the American soldier and a steady,
self-assured love interest to the protagonist. Matt is also
a writer seeking publication.
The best advice I can give writers, and something I
always try to remember, is to write what you know.
9. Hemingway coined this phrase, “Write what you
know”, and nothing could be truer. Listen and observe
wherever you go. This is what is meant when an author
has a strong sense of place. It’s authentic. Bad writing is
writing about things you’ve never seen or understood.
Readers will know!
Reading is as important as writing.
10. Read great authors. Study their techniques, the
varied sentence patterns, the literary elements that
move the story, and then develop your unique voice
as a writer. n
www.johnniebernhardauthor.com
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