“Saints and Skeletons” is an emotionally evocative memoir that dives into your journey of triumphs, struggles, and self-discovery while living in Mexico. Why was this an important book for you to write?

Writing Saints and Skeletons was an opportunity for me to really look at, and live in, my own feelings about a range of things, among them my choices, my family and, yes, Fernando. What I realized I’d done in the writing of my book was forgive. It’s like a heavy weight has been lifted from me. The lagniappe is I’ve deepened the characterization in my novels through this process of introspection and self-examination.

I appreciated the candid nature with which you told your story. What was the hardest thing for you to write about?

In writing Saints and Skeletons, I was forced to accept my culpability in what happened. I was no victim. It’s easy to say “Oh, poor me!” but the truth was, in Mexico with Fernando, every less than stellar personality trait I possess reared up. To write the book, I was forced to recognize my weaknesses and forgive myself. It was easy to tell about the wonderful places we visited!

What is a common misconception you feel people have about Mexico?

For us, Mexico has long been a place where anything goes. North Americans go to “let loose” because (we think) Mexico or Mexicans don’t hold the moral values or have the same expectations of behavior we do. This is pure bunk. The Mexican people I know are disgusted with entitled tourists disrespecting them and their country. Think conspicuous consumption and spring break behavior. Of course, Mexico isn’t an example of harmony and good behavior these days!

What do you hope is one thing readers take away from your story?

The magic of Mexico. The country is beautiful, the people are generous and the spirits of the ancient imbue everything! Don’t brush off Mexico for what you hear on the news. If you go, be mindful of your surroundings and don’t act like an easy target.

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