Fiction is an easy way to talk about issues: I think it feels less preachy. You can have the students discuss characters in the book as opposed to hypothetical situations, or as opposed to opening up about themselves, unless they really want to.
I think there's always room for humor, especially when you're talking about really serious issues.
I had written a book that dealt with really serious issues. Was anybody going to want to read a Christmas love story from me?
I knew that part of the problem with sensitive issues is that, because they're uncomfortable to address, we have a hard time doing so honestly, if at all.
Novels are a safe way to talk about things.
Every action we have is going to have repercussions in ways we could not anticipate.
