When I was married to an abuser, he'd tell me he wouldn't have to get so angry if only I'd be less demanding, more supportive, more understanding. I hid the truth from everyone, especially myself.

Several of my favorite cousins and some of my best friends are lawyers, and I find the profession endlessly fascinating.

I was married to a law student, and I used to attend classes with him at Georgetown University Law Center. Being of dramatic bent, I was drawn mainly to Criminal law and Evidence classes. A just-beginning writer, I would find an empty chair and listen, mesmerized, to the lectures.

Little Night' comes from deep in my heart, and tells about the lengths people will go for love.

Money can't buy happiness. Or put my family back together.

A friend suggested that I get a job at a children's book store so I could meet kids and read books, and that turned out to be the single best bit of advice I've ever gotten.

What my family's been through I can't even put into words. We're very close.

Next to hurting my family, cheating on me is the worst thing someone could do.