That is one of my favorite subject matters. Are the patterns of behavior that we set for ourselves permanent, or can we change them, absent a major trauma? And what sort of thing causes that?

One of the great surprises I’ve enjoyed from Hollywood in the last 15 years was a nice little film called “A Walk to Remember.” It starred pop princess Mandy Moore as the preacher’s daughter, and it was the story of a punk kid who get assigned “probation” by having to spend time with the “nerds,” of whom Moore was one. Long story short, he ends up falling for her, but she holds to her values, and in so doing, forces him to change.

I like this movie because, underlying it all, is the idea that great character has the power to change hearts, and Faith is central to having great character.

That is the central idea I explore in my new novella, “The First Cut,” coming in three weeks. I’ll keep ya’ posted on my progress!