Today, my writing group at St. Thomas the Apostle in Hollywood had our first-ever reading during coffee hour after the 10:30 Mass. Eight writers read their poems, essays, novel excerpts, songs, short scenes, and musings. (One member couldn’t join us because of the loss of her beloved cat.) We had a roomful of people who sat and listened attentively, which felt deeply satisfying. Of course, we may have enticed them with pizza, salad, cake, and cookies. After all, you can’t blame them for being hungry at noon!

I read an excerpt from chapter one of my new novel, A House Divided, and was pleased to see people sitting in rapt attention. Afterward, several people came up and said, “Okay, you’re now going to have to tell me what happens.” That felt like the best possible response. This book is set in rural Texas in the late 1970s and follows a daughter’s quest to uncover the truth behind a crime her father is accused of committing in their small town. In the process, her world shifts as she confronts secrets, lies, and deceptions—both in the town and within her own family.

I was so pleased with the reception our entire writing group received. It offered a glimpse into the range of voices in our group—and the joy we share in the process.

Here’s a photo of us after the reading—full, happy, and grateful.

Left to right: Judith, Randy, Len, Joseph, Alison, Taffy, Aristotle, and Jolin