I walked into my appointment. To my surprise, my technician had ordered and read my audaciously earnest first attempt at writing a novel! She was beyond excited to share her opinion and asked me to sign her copy. She immediately said, “I need a sequel.” I replied, “Oh lord, I don’t know if I am ready for that yet.” We both laughed.

She proceeded to share her insights and observations on the cast of characters…I was moved by her introspection on Sophia. When she said “she forgave him,” I was instantly struck by those words. I looked at her. With a slight hint of embarrassment, I said, “I didn’t even think about that when I wrote it. It was not my intention.” Yet, she said, “No, Sophia forgave him.”

(You’ll have to read the book to understand why she came to that conclusion)

I spent the whole day thinking about that. Was this first humble effort at writing this novel an exercise of forgiveness? Was this my way of removing shame, hurt, and sorrow from past lives?

I wanted to give a voice to women who believe a “man can save them.” Some think that the “grass is always greener.” I also wanted to speak for women who stay in abusive relationships. I wanted to represent women who are courageous and get out. I wanted to give a voice to hope, strength, resilience, and truth. I wanted to highlight the many lies we keep to survive. We often believe the truth can break us.

So you see, my motives were different from my intentions. I was moved by a simple story of a young girl in the Bronx Housing Projects.

It inspired a lesson in forgiveness in the fictional world.

My work is done. I gave one reader a sense of hope, and she closed the book wanting more.

As a writer, that is the greatest reward. The reader would be left wanting more.
I am humbled by that prospect. Thankful for those who take the time to read, review, and indulge in the novel. I found the forgiveness, too.

The Secrets We Keep The Lies We Tell, A Novel

Available now…

http://www.annetteortizmata.com