1978 was my freshman year at Lyons Township High School in La Grange, IL. I’ll admit I was pretty straight-laced, so I would have steered clear of a girl like Mary, a tall, beautiful, queen of the burnouts with a sharp wit.
Which is why I wrote WINTER LIGHT, an edgy YA book. Because I did steer clear, and therefore, never learned how many more obstacles kids like Mary faced than I did. I learned that the reason Mary developed such a fierce, aloof demeanor was because it was a necessary means of self-defense she used daily.
By writing the book, I now view the world differently. When I see people who are down on their luck, I no longer think, “What’s the matter with them? Why don’t they pull themselves up by their bootstraps?”
And that’s the gift great fiction gives us, the ability to step into someone else’s shoes, and by doing so, learn empathy.
What book gave you that experience and forever changed your worldview?
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For updates about Martha’s forthcoming books, news and giveaways, subscribe to her website: MarthaEngber.com.
SCATTERED LIGHT, a novel, sequel to WINTER LIGHT (Nov. 2025)
THE FALCON, THE WOLF AND THE HUMMINGBIRD a historical novel
BLISS ROAD, a memoir
WINTER LIGHT, a novel
THE WIND THIEF, a novel
GROWING GREAT CHARACTERS, a resource for writers
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