Writer’s Shop Talk: Of Brothers…and Sisters

What kind of relationship do your characters have with their siblings? Is anyone an only child? Is there bad blood between them? Describe their emotional connection.

Jim Garraty, an only child, lost his father in South Vietnam less than a year after Jim’s birth in 1965. His mother, Sarah, never remarried, and this absence made Jim’s bond with his best friend, Mark Prieto, especially strong—almost fraternal. Mark, who has a younger sister named Leslie, plays the protective older brother role in both his family life and his friendship with Jim. Despite the occasional sibling squabbles, Mark and Leslie share a mostly loving relationship. Mark’s “big brother” demeanor extends to his camaraderie with Jim, often positioning him as an advisor to the future historian.

Conversely, Madison “Maddie” Felicity Reynaud once had a younger sister, affectionately called “Libby.” (In exchange, Libby dubbed her elder sibling “Madge” instead of “Maddie.”) Until Libby’s premature demise a few years before the narrative of Reunion: Coda, the sisters shared an inseparable emotional bond despite being separated by their distinct paths in life and career. Like Maddie, Libby possessed natural musical talents, excelling as both vocalist and pianist. Seeking not to live under her sister’s shadow, Libby remained in South Florida, where she immersed herself in the Greater Miami Opera and the Miami Choral Society. However, in these groups, she chose supporting roles and choir parts over leading lady performances.