Tera Lopez Vannoy

I aimed to write a story for personal enjoyment, while also exploring themes that recur across generations. These include feelings of inadequacy, prejudice, class struggles, the desire for belonging, and the limitations of liberalism. Such themes are universal and persistent, whether during the early Industrial Revolution or in today’s digital and information era.

My goal with my first novel was to use it as a training ground to build a solid writing foundation. Although my college English 305 class instilled in me the importance of writing even if I do not feel like it, there is so much more to learn about writing a good story. Stephen King, in “On Writing,” explains the importance of reading both good and bad writing. Good writing sets the bar and allows others to reach for it. Bad writing helps build a new writer’s confidence, leading them to believe they can do the remarkable thing of becoming a published writer.

I’ll share some insights into my writing process for my current book, including background details, and I’ll discuss themes, the symbolism behind character names, setting, and other symbolic elements. This is just the beginning.