What was the intention behind Deciduous?

I tried to surprise and provoke the reader by blending a range of conflicting emotions that culminate with a swell in the heart. I wanted to write a story that merges dark themes and psychological trauma with intrigue and mystery while also celebrating a mother’s love.

 I am inspired by writing about strong women. As a gay man surrounded by fascinating women all my life, I enjoy writing about bold, unique female characters of every age. Women have been my best friends, and they’ve included me in some of the most important moments in their lives. I’ve listened to them, I’ve paid attention, and I’ve learned from them. Sometimes they have to fight. Be stronger than anyone should ever have to be.

Sienna is the main character in Deciduous. She’s a woman forced to confront the unimaginable. It’s what strong women do. Persevere. There’s a line in the story where Sienna talks with a new friend and says, “It’s a rare thing for a mother to lose two children in less than a year. It happens in war. Or from famine. Disease. Only the cruelest of circumstances. It doesn’t happen when their mom is home taking care of them.” Sienna was the only person around when both her children died suddenly, but not even she knows if their deaths were accidental or if the horrible things people accuse her of doing are true. Deciduous is about her pursuit of the truth. I hope the twists and turns keep the reader guessing.

When I was writing Deciduous, I watched a news story that seemed too terrible to be real, and I wondered what happened to the people who survived it all. What happened to them afterward. And how did they get through it. The newscaster said something like, “This shows the depths of human behavior.” But it made me wonder what happens later. How do they go on? So, I wrote about those depths and how people can go on. When they have no other choice.