My Last Day follows a wealthy Wall Street trader who plans to end his life on his own terms after learning he has only months to live, recording the experiences of his final day in a candid journal. Where did the idea behind this novel come from?

The idea came from two directions: Two individuals I’ve seen make a difference in the world through self-sacrifice, and the courageous way I’ve seen some friends handle terminal illness with grace and a continued commitment to life.

Rob’s voice is intelligent, humorous, skeptical, and deeply reflective. How did you develop his perspective and the way he processes his circumstances?

I wanted this book to be a celebration not only of his past life but also of the time he had remaining. I didn’t want Rob to be an incredible philosophical individual. I wanted him to be a successful, kind person who, when faced with his own mortality, found those perspectives you mentioned, amplified, not dampened.

Faith and spirituality play an important role in Rob’s transformation. What questions about belief, purpose, or mortality did you hope the story would explore?

The value of every moment, the importance of kindness, the value of faith, God’s forgiveness and role in our lives, and the connections we create in this world, even if we’re unaware of them. The question of how much in life we control was also important. Rob faces a situation beyond his control, but he thinks he can reassert control. He’ll make the decision when and how he dies. He learns that maybe that’s not his decision. In a book that begins with a planned suicide, it’s not about the ethical questions surrounding suicide. It’s about what we do with our time, our lives up to the moment we leave this world. Spoiler alert: Rob does pass away, but the story is uplifting.

If Rob could leave readers with one final message, what do you think he would want them to remember?

As long as you’re alive, live. It’s simple, but not always easy. There’s a Japanese saying I recently learned, ichi go, ichi e, which is an invitation to live every moment because that moment will never occur again. The US version might be YOLO, however, the Japanese version is a bit more reflective.