Jessica, 

I just finished "One Small Thing," and read your comments afterward. I really liked Avery, and I didn't share your view of her. I felt great empathy for her. Someone else (Randi) she never met, made poor choices and now Avery has to pay the price. I think she should have been better about accepting her new situation, but even Dan seemed to expect a lot from his wife, just assuming she was going to stay home and be an instant loving mom to a former girlfriend's child. After all, in most families, it's the mother who has the greater responsibility for the children. I don't know if I wouldn't have reacted in the same way. I really liked the book, and found the characters so real! I am looking forward to reading your other books.

Maureen

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Hi, Maureen--Thanks for writing. Well, since I "wrote" Avery, I'm sure her reaction is something partly mine, too. I know I wouldn't be that happy about the situation--and as I have had friends go through all the infertility procedures, I know how emotional that time could be. 

I would have thought she would have stuck it out a bit more at the beginning--but she wanted to do what she wanted to do. And who am I to control a character?! That's what I've learned as a writer--let them do what they want to. 

I appreciate your reflections on Avery, and thank you for writing.

Jessica

Jessica,

My parents lived in Clayton, Calif. (by Walnut Creek) and when I read the back of "One Small Thing" and your bio. I was interested in reading your book. I found out you wrote about places I had been to like "Freddie’s Pizza". I felt like I lived in that book. So I had to read more. I just finished "Her Daughters Eyes". The girl's mother was buried where my mother was buried, Queen of Heaven Cemetery. I could not put the book down. As I am coming up to the anniversary of my mother's death not too long ago, I felt very close to these girls and how they felt with their mom gone now and their father not paying any attention to them. I would have loved to have known those girls personally as I am a grief facilitator for children and I know that they needed help getting through that grief process. I have checked out all your books and will continue to read them as they come out. Keep them up, I love reading about the area of the country where my mother lived and where I was born (San Francisco). Thank you for the wonderful stories.

Amy

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Dear Amy--thanks so much for writing.

I, too, love to read books where I know the setting. And it's been a great deal of fun to put all the "real" places in my novel. The town Monte Veda is the only made up thing now, and it's based on Orinda.

I really appreciate your comments about Her Daughter's Eyes. I'm sure you would have been very helpful to Tyler and Kate, but then I wouldn't have had a story! 

Thanks again for writing and for reading my books. 

All best,

Jessica

Jessica,

I absolutely love your book One Small Thing....I love that it takes place in the bay area too because as I read I live in the places you describe! Keep the excellent books coming...I love them! You are wonderful!

Jill

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Dear Jill--thank you so much for writing. I really appreciate your words.

I, too, enjoy reading a book set in the Bay Area. It's kind of fun to see things I know about. My next novel--Walking With Her Daughter--will be out April of 2005, and I sure hope you'll read it.

Again, thanks for writing.

All best,

Jessica

Hi Jessica,

I just wanted to tell you how much I really loved the new novel "One Small Thing" It's a page turner. Yesterday I dropped my daughter off at school, came home, and sat down with it thinking I would read a few chapters before starting my day. The next thing I knew my phone was ringing, it was my daughter asking why I wasn't at school to pick her up at 3:30 pm. Avery is an incredible character. She is such a bitch after Dan finds out about Daniel. I wanted to hate her. Just as I was thinking "Oh, she is really a bitch" she would have this internal conflict about how badly she was behaving, and how she felt bad about it but couldn't stop herself. Then I'd feel sorry for her. And when she was in the hotel room with Mischa - I was mentally screaming - Don't do it! I thought she was a goner when they sat on the bed. And Dan, I just wanted Avery to hug him and love him and make him feel worthy. And what's with Jared? Is his character gay? I picture him trying to be the perfect son to make up for Dan's behavior, all the while living a secret life because he can't bear the anguish of hurting his parents. And we all know Bill and Marian would be hurt to know their perfect son was gay. I think Jared is a book all by himself - I can just picture Dan having one hell of a fight with him when Jared "comes out." Dan's always been the one to be outcast from the family because he lives his life outside of Bill and Marian's influence. Think how mad he would be to find out Jared has been doing the same thing but didn't have the balls to suffer the consequences the way Dan has.

Anyway, I really like the book - Are you sure they'll only print one of these a year?

Kind regards, 
Susan

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Hi, Susan.

You are so nice! Thanks for the comments. I’m not sure about Jared. Clearly, whoever or whatever he is is undetermined. He's had to carry the sibling weight in that family. I am sure now that Dan is back in the fold, whatever he is can "come out."

It was fun to write Avery that way--to really let her be who she was. Sort of freeing for me as a writer.

Yeah, I think I can only do one a year. But maybe it's better that way--I'll be sane!

Thanks again so much for your comments. I really appreciate them.

All best,

Jessica

This was a letter I received about the translated version of "One Small Thing," entitled "Un Pequeno Detalle."

My name is Julia and I live in Bilbao (Spain). Sorry for my English, i will try write well.

I love read, and one day I see your book in a book shop. Its a very good book, very sensitive, so sweet.

Avery is a strong woman, every woman is a Avery sometime in her life. I cry with your book. I will like read more of you, other book, but I don't know if is possible in Spanish. Can you say me where can I buy?

Thank you for your present, because your book is a present. Bye bye from Spain.

JULIA

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Estimada Julia,

Gracias por escribirme.  Desculpe mi Espanol.

Puedes comprar mis libros en Amazon.  "La nina de sus ojos" se puede comprar ayi.

Muchas gracias por su commentarios y espero que sigues leyendo mis libros.

Adios desde California!

Click to Read Letters About Her Third Novel, "When You Go Away."

Click to Read Letters About Her Second Novel, "The Matter of Grace."

Click to Read Letters About Her First Novel, "Her Daughter's Eyes."