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