January 2007

As you may have noticed, the excerpts from The Fiennes are not back-to-back. This piece is set during Reuben's second bout with leukemia. It has been the hardest section to write on an emotional level, but I also felt like I got closer to understanding my characters. Comments are welcome.

The Fiennes: Biopsy/Diagnosis

The following takes place after Reuben's visit to the Emergency Department.

The Fiennes - October-November 2006

After we learn more about the oncology nurses' thoughts on Helen, we return to the Fiennes house. Helen and Sam's relationship takes a new turn, while Reuben struggles with what to tell his daughter about love and sex.

The Fiennes - September 2006

In between the January 2006 chapter and this one, Helen and Reuben each have a number of ups and downs (which I'm still writing out). One of the main "ups" is Helen and Summer's junior prom, and the girls trying to figure out college plans.

Helen's first day of her senior year turns out to be a lot crazier than she thought.

Featuring Helen, Reuben, Pete, Summer, and Principal Klein.

The Fiennes (January 2006)

In between this excerpt and the previous one, Reuben explained to Helen's English teacher what was going on in their family. Helen "downsized" their Christmas decorations from a full-size tree to a table-top tree, and Reuben gives her the set of ornaments he originally gave her mother for their first Christmas. (Helen's mother died in labor, which is discussed in the prologue).

The settings: January 2006; Westwood Hospital, Fiennes house, Pleasant Valley High. 

The Fiennes (pages 38-42)

 In between this excerpt and the preceding one, Helen's English teacher noticed that her academic performance is declining, Helen started donating platelets (cells that help the blood clot), and Helen started to show signs of caregiver stress. This section is set in December 2005.

The Fiennes (pages 27-32)

 This excerpt immediately follows the previous one, and includes most of the November 2005 chapter. The scene with Ballpoint Lady was one of the most fun for me to write, even though, like Helen, I'd probably want to run away from her in real life.

FYI: Fludarabine and Chlorambucil are chemotherapy drugs commonly used to treat CLL (the type of leukemia Reuben has).

The Fiennes (pages 23-27)

In the previous excerpt, Helen Fiennes and Jess Baker were suspended for fighting on school grounds. When they came back to school, Jess was embraced by her peers but Helen and her friend Lydia were no longer welcome, and found a new table in the cafeteria.

The following excerpt takes place in October 2005, shortly after Helen's return to school. Helen and her father (Reuben) are the main characters.

The Fiennes: Aftershocks (pages 15-18)

The following is an excerpt from the beginning of my novel The Fiennes. The scene: Pleasant Valley High School, fall 2005. Helen Fiennes is the protagonist. Jess, one of Helen's fellow cheerleaders, may have intentionally let Helen fall during cheer practice the preceding day.