From Glitter to Grace: How My Mother's Sparkle Inspired an Epic Novel

I spoke to an established author this weekend and asked her: "How do I sell my book?" She graciously asked me back: "What's your book about?" I hesitated.

"Who are you as an author?" she pressed and gave me an example. "I write about hot guys, monsters and a great cup of coffee."

I fumbled through my explanation of Broken Melody—something about music, lessons, pain, love, betrayal, empowerment, Caribbean magic, and rewriting your story.

I realized then how easy it is to make things complicated, but hard to make them simple.

That interaction reminded me of my main inspiration: a woman who was the first generation of sparkle. Like Terri in Broken Melody, she learned that transformation doesn't follow seasons—it follows the heart's calendar. She lived life like she was still sixteen, trying to make the most of every moment, decorating her white Christmas tree year-round with valentines, shamrocks, or American flags, transforming her own pain into something joyful.

It wasn't until I was older that I realized we learn lessons the way we choose to learn them. In Broken Melody, Terri discovers that some lessons can only be learned in sacred caves, guided by ancient spirits and the haunting notes of a lost song. Like my mother, Terri finds that maternal love—whether for the children we birth or the friends we choose—becomes the most transformative magic of all.

My mother, Judy Harkin, was a spontaneous and loving spirit. She never left home without her teased red hair and overdone makeup. She celebrated every holiday as if it were her last. Impulsive and uneven, she was a wonderful friend that gifted those around her with generous warmth. Proud to be a Gemini, she disliked being confined. In her younger years she found herself on an endless quest to find what she had missed.

An artistic soul, she accepted others and embraced diversity before it became fashionable. Known fondly as Grams, she constantly bragged about her mother, 3 daughters and 5 grandchildren to anyone who would listen. Her love for variety and stimulation focused on fun, not responsibility. She embraced life's pleasures and saw beauty in sharing an honest opinion or watching the migration of monarch butterflies.

She touched her daughters by being a loving grandmother who never lived by the rules. Judy challenged all conventions; whether she was mailing an ant farm, watching Shakespeare in the park, covering with her fringed leopard blanket or buying pink sequined tiaras. A pragmatic optimist, she lived life on her own terms and nobody could tell her what to do or how to do it. When she set her mind to something Judy's determination remained unrelenting. She beat the odds, more times than you can count.

She adored horses, dogs and welcoming new residents to her Sunrise family. Married to Paul, the love of her life for 17 years, she found a man who accepted her completely. He embraced her eccentricities and loved her unconditionally, no matter how many zebras she bought.

Adored by her Sunrise family, she remained deeply intertwined in making each day a celebration. She knew every member of the staff by name and went out of her way to say kind words daily to the community members that helped her thrive. She took enormous pride in her role as president of sunrise of Sunnyvale and was respected by her peers.

Always smiling, flamboyant and joyful, she represented a kind spirit and open heart. A friend was more important than a dollar, she was generous with her time and money. If anyone needed anything, nine times out of ten she pulled it out of her purse. Whether she was ordering Friday night pizza, rallying up people to join a lunch outing with Merci, playing dominos or driving down the hall in her power chair, she always moved forward at full speed.

Judy taught us all some life lessons: wear bright colors, smile at everyone, don't compromise when you want something and most importantly, you can never have too much glitter.

Broken Melody asks a different question: Can you ever have too much magic? In my novel, manifestation meets sacrifice, where spirits guide modern mothers through impossible choices. Terri's journey through the sacred caves of Belize mirrors my mother's fearless approach to life—both women understanding that sometimes love requires us to walk into the darkness, trusting that ancient wisdom and unconditional love will light the way.

If Judy were here today, she'd blast Dua Lipa while reading about Terri's confrontation with betrayal and gods in those limestone depths. Music inspires healing—just like in Broken Melody, where ancestors' voices echo through limestone caves, and music becomes the bridge between worlds.

Judy's Playlist (The songs that would soundtrack her reading of Broken Melody): https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7pD4YHhTszwRspf4Qk3e85