Writing 'Ashes': Using Fiction to Explore Trauma and Grief I talk about how I wrote my novel 'Ashes' to teach people about trauma and grief through fiction rather than direct instruction. Drawing on my scholarly background in trauma and identity, I created a story about a family dealing with complex trauma from both a terrorist attack and a fire. The book has resonated deeply with readers, earning 171 five-star reviews on Goodreads, and I've recently signed with a literary ag

We explore the emotional depth and narrative power of The Ashes Know Her Name, a novel that weaves together geopolitical tension, intimate trauma, and hard-earned love. We follow Anna's journey from her shattered childhood on an Israeli kibbutz through the long shadows of grief and abandonment, to her transformative connection with Kimo against the backdrop of Maui and the devastating Lahaina wildfires. We discuss how the story's authenticity lies in its formative pain, the h