CaliforniaAuthors.com, a great site dedicated to California literature, just posted my essay about the process of writing The Book of Dead Birds.

The whole story feels almost mythical to me now, but while I was living it, the process was so full of frustration and stops and starts (plenty of blissful moments, too). I need to remember that as I thrash around with my new novel; I find myself wanting it to be perfect straight off the bat. I need to remind myself that it is the thrashing about, the not-knowing, the period of discovery, that is often the most fruitful and fun. I wonder what stories I'll have to share once this novel is done (if that ever happens...)