While researching to begin writing my debut novel Under Paris Spies, it was hard to find many female protagonists who seemed anything like me in terms of age, and interests and who shared some of the same struggles that I have in trying to find themselves. A lot of the characters I would stumble upon were looking for love (as I guess it’s assumed that is the underlying motivation for all of humanity), but I wanted to write about someone who is a bit older, maybe feels like she’s past her prime but she’s not going into an old age home anytime soon (or ever). She is deeply driven to do some good in the world, and although she has loved deeply and had her heart broken, she sometimes longs for that again but has come to grips with being solo on her journey. She is relatable, imperfect, and a bit of a hot mess at times as she lacks self-confidence, nor does she remember herself at a time when she was in control and was literally kicking ass.
The Everyday Privledge that Women Freely Give Away
I will always remember Mr. Sprague, my 9th grade Biology teacher. He was weird in the best way possible, and easily the funniest man…