Mary IS a Great Name, Isn't It?

Throughout the writing of "Daniel's Garden," I had a few ... experiences. Coincidences, more like it. Often, it felt as if I were merely dictating Daniel's story. But that couldn't be! He wasn't a real person. His friends are fictional, too! And so is Mary Daley, the Irish nurse he falls in love with.

So, imagine my surprise when, while perusing Borders' new fiction section, I come across something a little eerie. Maybe even downright creepy. It's a brand new novel from Robin Oliveira, called "My Name is Mary Sutter." I HAD to buy it, so I did.

It's about a Civil War nurse named Mary. Not only that, but she works at a Union Hospital in Washington, D. C. Which, for those of you who have read my story, is the same hospital I chose! Hmmm ....

So WAS there a nurse named Mary working at a Union Hospital in Washington, D. C. during the Civil War? Who knows! Probably, since Mary is a common name.

I can't wait to dig into Robin's novel. It will seem eerily familiar ... yet new ... yet not ... all at the same time. Since we both chose a main female nurse character named Mary, I think it's safe to say great ideas come to those writers who are passionate about their subjects.

Sometimes even the same great idea!