(Find the chapters and a description of the project here.)

There are several ways I could have retold this story. I could have stayed true to the original narrative, and written about two people continuing their lives after facing condemnation and shame. I could have written both Jesse and Rebecca as unapologetic and shameless. I could have written about a scandalous affair that tears apart a family and the community around it. I could have written about a predatory spiritual leader. In the end, I chose to write about two people who get swept up in their emotions, who then must navigate the consequences of their choices.  

               I expected this story to produce strong emotions in readers. Whether or not we belong to a faith community, the experience of guilt is nearly universal. I would argue that being shamed is also, especially in communities of faith, particularly for women. I personally have been shamed by religious leaders and mentors. This is, unfortunately, an all-too-common experience. Readers may have found this story triggering and difficult to confront. I do not minimize these feelings. Many of us carry religious and spiritual trauma, handed to us by the people who were meant to guide us on our walk of faith. If this has happened to you, know that I see you. I wrote this story, in part, for you.

There will always be ruler followers—like Martha—and those who break rules—like Rebecca. Hawthorne imagined a community that felt the need to punish and marginalize the rule breaker. I wanted to imagine a community that was more kind.  My hope is that in imagining such a community, it shows the reader a path to replicate it in their own life.