The Novel #3

The Kelworth Files interviewed me on NaNo & my quirky writing process. Read it here.

The NaNo 2012 project is FLOWERS FOR RUBEN, a literary exploration of the prejudice in Mexico against same-sex relationships.

Ever since the death of Chayo del Rio's husband, she's struggled to fit into the traditional family scheme of the Mexican city of Cuernavaca where the childless couple was once king and queen. A decade later she feels she's found a niche within the widows and divorced women, helping them find dignity and even joy in life without a man, when her close friend and pillar of the community Ruben Ayala is found dead. 

Ruben and Chayo had a unique relationship, more in line with high school best friends than adult acquaintances, even though they met in their mid twenties, both already married, Ruben with two fairy tale princesses for daughters. They'd grown apart since Chayo's husband died, by necessity more than design, but Chayo takes the blow hard. 

As time passes and questions begin to be asked within Cuernavaca's lightning-speed grapevine, Chayo realizes Ruben's reaching out from the grave with one last favor to ask her. He needs his secrets kept safe. The secrets that might exonerate the man accused of Ruben's murder.