The Source of Collective Vengeance — Collective Vengeance began as a short story (with the working title “Blurred Lines”) about two people colliding on a New York street. This encounter led to the unraveling of hidden secrets and the discovery of a connection they never imagined. This was the root source in early 2017, eight years before the completion and publication of Collective Vengeance. That short story evolved significantly as I transitioned the idea into a full novel.

Over several years, I traveled to New York City, the chosen location for the story, to learn about the boroughs, subway routes, streets, and landmarks. The 2018 hearings for a Supreme Court Justice became entangled in rumors and salacious accusations, inspiring new plotlines as I wondered what if this or that happened with my characters. I discovered that asking the magic question, “What if?” continued to open new twists and turns.

Storms — I also need to credit my original free verse poem, Storms, for my writing and inspiration for the Vengeance Series (see post on Storms). Storms reflects the struggles that everyone faces with the conflicts and trials of daily life. Sometimes we win, and sometimes we lose in battling life’s storms, and that conflict is present in the Vengeance Series.

Is Collective Vengeance fiction or reality? — Many readers have asked whether Collective Vengeance is a fictional or non-fictional novel based on the events surrounding an actual Supreme Court nomination and the evolution of our country’s political environment since 2015. I answer that it was intended as pure fiction; however, the line between reality and fiction blurred as time and events progressed while I was writing.

As I write the sequel, Counter Vengeance, I again find it challenging to separate reality from fiction. Therefore, I focus on enjoying telling a good story, leaving it to the readers to form their opinions and enjoy the narrative.