How has Song of the Sparrow changed since the first draft?
The biggest change, I think, that came about between drafts of Song of the Sparrow was in Arthur’s and Elaine’s relationship. As I wrote, I found my own feelings about Arthur-and how can one not fall in love with him, he’s so good, so earnest and noble?-sort of got in the way of Elaine’s business in the book and her story. Their relationship developed romantic undertones in the first draft, and I had to excise those when I revised. Thankfully, my very insightful editor picked up on it right away and told me that it just didn’t fit. She was correct! How long have you wanted to be a writer? What was your path to publication like? I’ve always wanted to be a writer, for as long as I can remember. When I was growing up, I was a voracious reader, and indeed, books were like friends. I think I must have been around eight when I wrote my first short story-it was about my cat. And I’ve been writing ever since. There was never any doubt in my mind that this was what I wanted to do. And I was rea
