Creating the “Soundtrack” of a Novel
As a writer I’m often asked how I chose my novel’s setting or how I came up with the story line. Last fall, for the first and only time, I was asked how I chose the musical pieces in my book. It’s a great question. Naturally, the person who asked is...Heart and Understanding: Adopting a Foreign Culture as a Writer
My son Brendan is a missionary in Peru. He and his wife and children live high in the Andes among the Quechua people. He uses the Quechua language daily, as well as Spanish. Brendan and his family eat the foods of the region (including guinea pig) and are observant of...Török Testvérek: A Dynamic Hungarian Trio
While the rest of the U.S. stampedes to mass arenas for rock concerts, I gravitate toward classical and folk music in small places. Some of my favorite musical experiences have happened in venues not much bigger than a classroom. I love the informal rapport that...Re-examining an American Mindset
This essay (minus the photos) was published under a different title in The News Tribune of Tacoma, February 9, 2015. In recent years two of my three sons embarked on international life journeys, and in a smaller way, so did I. My son Brendan and his wife moved to...
Welcome!
I am a writer who loves good music and good stories. It’s been my privilege to combine these loves by writing fiction that honors the creation of beauty, even in the bleakest of circumstances, through the creation of music. Writing has also led me to a deep interest in the recent history of central and eastern Europe.
Come and explore with me!