Actress & Author Reagan J. Pasternak On Healing After the Loss of A Pet

Today we welcome actress and author Reagan J. Pasternak to the blog! Her book Griffin’s Heart, is an interactive guide to pet loss and navigating the grief process. Through journaling, healing exercises, and contributions, readers will find an outlet for their pain while creating a keepsake filled with beautiful memories. Author Reagan Pasternak’s own story unfolds as the pages progress, reminding readers that they are not alone in their sorrow and that hope exists for all of us.

Pet loss can be highly traumatic for owners, but there aren't a lot of resources out there for someone to process it. What made you decide to fill that niche?

I think the grief, and incomplete feeling I experienced after losing my soul-mate animal, Griffin, was so prevalent in me for so long, that I initially started writing Griffin's Heart as an outlet for my own pain. I needed a way to communicate the specific way I was interpreting the loss. I wanted to understand, and find meaning in what it meant to love and lose an animal. Eventually I realized how many other people were feeling exactly the same way as I was and I started writing the book with other mourners in my mind. That's how the book evolved into becoming something so interactive, and ultimately a keepsake. I never set out to fill a niche exactly -- I was just completely compelled to immerse myself in the project and hoped it helped people heal.

Do you find that some people push back against the idea that the loss of a pet can be just as painful as losing a family member?

I think that many people absolutely dismiss this brand of grief. In fact, I have a chapter entitled "Some People Just Don't Get It" for that specific reason. I actually just lost my fourteen year old dog last week whom I loved with all of my heart, and, let me tell you, this pain is real. But I have learned to share my grief with only those who really have gone through something similar. Honestly, you are the only one who will ever really understand what your animal meant to you, so you have to allow yourself space to honor that and work through it.

The pandemic brought about a rash of pet adoptions. Do you think this is a good thing, or do you have some concerns that a "pandemic puppy" may end up losing its allure once it's time to go back to work?

I absolutely think it's a wonderful thing. Having animals out of the shelters has been a silver-lining to this whole pandemic disaster. Of course there will be some people who look at animals as objects rather than a living being who deserves a life-time commitment, but I'm going to choose optimism here and know that most people will fall in love with these animals and have them in their lives for a long time.

What do you hope people will take away from Griffin's Heart?

My wish is that people feel a sense of peace and validation. I hope that by completing the journaling, exercises and creating a keepsake, they will feel that they honored their pet and that the pain feels a little lighter. I have learned that there are endless lessons we can learn from grief -- from love, really. I hope they can find the same sense of growth that I did from opening myself up in that way.

Jennifer Craven On The Lure Of Literary Retellings

by Jennifer Craven

When it comes to writing a novel, authors hear countless quotes from industry experts offering tips like:

“Don’t reinvent the wheel.”

“No storyline is ever completely new.”

“If you see it once, you’ll see it again and again.”

All of these expressions remind me of one particular genre: literary retellings. This category has boomed in recent years, with more authors taking a stab at their own version of an older story. Many retellings center on fairy tales or classic literature, such as “Pride and Prejudice.” Truly, no other author’s work has been reimagined more than our gal pal Jane Austen.

Doesn’t everyone remember reading (or being forced to read) the classics in school? My guess is not many teens would admit to really enjoying those books at that time. But the thing about retellings is it gives readers a chance to experience some of the cornerstones of great literature in a new way. Many retellings are set in modern times, or retold from different character perspectives. They’re great ways to understand and appreciate enduring narratives from an approachable angle.

On the flip side, you’ve got readers who love and have always loved these timeless tales. Maybe you’ve heard people gush that they’re the biggest “Little Women” fans ever (er wait, is that just me?). Louisa May Alcott is another author whose work has been retold in countless novels and from an array of perspectives. Readers are drawn to stories that feel familiar, with both recognizable settings, storylines and beloved characters.

There’s a sense of nostalgia that accompanies re-imaginings. It feels good and comfortable to dive back into the lives of characters you love. Plus, it’s just plain old fun! Who doesn’t love taking a well-known story and flipping it on its head? Hearing Little Red Riding Hood from the perspective of the Big Bad Wolf? Yes, please! A drama where Jo March ends up with Laurie? (Okay, again, there’s my own inner desires coming through). Even children’s books have jumped on the trend, with tons of fairytales and myths coming alive again in retellings.

I think readers have strong preferences when it comes to genres they seek. But for those who are drawn to reimagined stories, there’s an underlying obsessiveness—and I mean that in the best way possible, particularly because I fit into this category, too. It’s almost as though once you’ve read one, you want to read them all. Show me any iteration of Cinderella, and I’ll read it.

There are lots of authors who have dabbled in this genre, but one that sticks out to me in terms of success and notoriety is Curtis Sittenfeld. Several of her titles have been fascinating reimagined stories of both classic literature and even well-known living politicians. The “what if” trope is always central to these books. What if the original plot would have skewed left instead of right? What if character A would have made this choice instead of that? The element of “suppose that…” lets readers’ imaginations sweep them away. And who can resist that?

When I began brainstorming my latest novel, the idea of writing a retelling just would not leave me alone. The plot consumed me, the story begging to be told. I knew right away that I would use my favorite film, “The Sound of Music,” as a jumping off point for this reimagining. I’d seen the movie countless times, knew the characters inside and out, and could recite lines unprompted. It was a childhood (and later adulthood) staple. Yet, each time I’d watch the film, I’d find myself wondering what happened next. A headstrong, devoted father; a spirited mother; seven innocent children. As they climbed the Alps to freedom, and as the film credits rolled, my mind wove a new story that picked up from that point.

For me, writing a retelling was different than writing any other genre of fiction. It had a certain sense of closeness, an intimacy if you will, that was both enjoyable but also daunting. The thing is, readers love retold literature, which is reassuring—but also comes with a dose of intimidation. What if they don’t like your approach? What if they think you’ve butchered the original? These are all thoughts that hang over an author’s head like a rain cloud ready to pour down unfavorable reviews.

But at the end of the day—like any writer—the story won. I followed my gut with where the plot went, ultimately coming to a place where I felt I honored the classic and created a fresh extension full of heart.

Retellings will continue to be among my favorite genres. And as more and more readers discover the enchantment, I hope authors will continue spinning stories from stories, giving all of us a chance to escape into something truly magical.

Jennifer Craven is the author of two historical fiction novels: "All That Shines and Whispers" and "A Long Way From Blair Street." She has bylines in numerous national publications, including The Washington Post, HuffPost, Motherly, Today's Parent and more. In addition to writing, Jennifer is a mom to three young children, as well as a college instructor at Mercyhurst University in Erie, Pa. Follow her on instagram at @jennifercravenauthor.

In for the Long Haul - Kathleen Basi On Querying 4 Books Over 12 Years

by Kathleen Basi

I’m here today to talk about persistence.

From the day I entered the community of fiction writers, I heard again and again that traditional publishing is not a business for the faint of heart. This is a long-haul endeavor. But let’s be honest—we all think we’re going to be the exception to the rule. Right?

I didn’t expect to be the exception, but, well… I did hope. I knew I was a good writer. I had a lot to learn, but I had utter faith in my ability to do so.

The first book I wrote never saw a query trench, because as much as I loved it, I knew it was a mess. Novel Zero taught me that I wasn’t actually sure what kind of stories I was writing. They didn’t seem to fit anywhere. I liked a good love story, but I didn’t think my stories were exactly “romance.”

So first, I set out to determine if I could write a bona fide romance novel. The answer, it turned out, was “no.” I craved the emotional journey. Novel #1 definitely had strong romantic elements, but it couldn’t sell as romance. I workshopped it a little, then sent out my first-ever queries. “It’s well written,” one agent said, “but there’s nothing new here.”

Ouch. Still, I could see the justice in the critique. By then, I’d discovered the Women’s Fiction Writers Association, and I finally knew where my stories belonged. For Novel #2, I revisited the characters from Novel Zero, determined to avoid past mistakes. With a hooky, compelling story question (well, in my mind, at least) and a wine country setting, this story, I was certain, would be The One.

But my protagonist turned out to be too wishy-washy, the story too broad. I placed third in a competition, and the prize was a full manuscript read and a followup phone call with a literary agent who said, “This is not women’s fiction, it’s family saga. And you have problems with likability.”

I took her at her word and didn’t query anyone else—just shelved the book until I could figure out how to fix it. I already had another book chomping at the bit to be written. And this time, I was going to make sure I ticked all the boxes.

Book #3 had a big hook, a strong lead character, and a compelling conflict that was incredibly relevant for the modern world. I also created a secondary character--an adult with Down syndrome, a nod to my journey into special needs parenting with my “chromosomally-gifted” daughter. This time for sure!

Alas, no. I got eight requests—one of them an R&R, even!—but still, no dice.

By that time, I was working on Book #4, which is now launching as A Song For the Road. From day one, my critique partners said, “I really think this might be the one.” I remember replying, “If this one can’t get published, I might as well just pack it in, because if this one can't be published, nothing can.”

Of course, I was never going to quit. Writing is too much a part of me. But still. It was often hard to keep faith.

Novel #4 took on the query trenches hard: four major rounds of querying, for a total of 100 queries—and at the end, at last, I had a literary agent in my corner. At times, I was complacent: Yes, I’m going to break in, it’s only a matter of time. But other times, it felt hopeless—even after clearing that hurdle. Imagine going on submission to publishers with a book about someone who lost her entire family… WHILE A PANDEMIC IS GOING ON.

It’s been twelve years since I sent my first query letter. More than once, my husband questioned whether it was worth it—the time investment, yes, but especially the emotional roller coaster.

The takeaway of this story, as I said at the beginning, is persistence. But persistence doesn’t mean “beat your head on a brick wall.” With every failed manuscript, I absorbed what went wrong, and I was intentional about applying those lessons going forward. Every book I have written has reached a higher peak than the one before it. Honestly? I’m still committed to getting Book #3 out into the world. But when I set out to rewrite it, I will do so carrying the wisdom I’ve gained by revising… and re-revising… and re-re-revising… A Song for the Road.

On the far side of this marathon, I’m actually grateful for it… mostly. If I’d gotten a lucky break early on, I would have missed many opportunities to grow as a writer. My stories would likely be less polished and less profound.

So my word of encouragement for today is: persistence. But persistence with purpose.

Author and liturgical composer Kathleen M. Basi is mother to three active boys (read: always breaking something) and one chromosomally-gifted daughter. Her nonfiction has appeared in a number of magazines, Chicken Soup for the Soul and on NPR’s All Things Considered. Her fiction is represented by Sonali Chanchani and Claudia Cross, and her novel, A SONG FOR THE ROAD, is scheduled for debut in May 2021 with Alcove Press.