Behind the Scenes of a Good Witness
Every story begins with a seed of inspiration. For A Good Witness, that seed was the idea of how easily false accusations can take root in today’s world—a world where information spreads faster than ever, and truth can be overshadowed by perception. I wanted to write a novel that explored the devastating consequences of taking someone’s word as truth without questioning it, while also reminding readers of the importance of independent thought and research.
At its core, A Good Witness is a story about community, trust, and the fragility of justice. Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at how I brought this novel to life and why I made certain creative choices along the way.
Why I Chose a Diner Setting
The diner setting in A Good Witness—Boyd’s Burger Joint—serves as the heart of the story. I chose this setting for its universal familiarity. Diners are places where people from all walks of life come together. Whether it’s over a cup of coffee or a plate of fries, a diner feels like neutral ground—unassuming, ordinary, and quintessentially every day.
The diner also symbolizes the intersection of the community. It’s a space where lives overlap, where conversations happen, and where opinions are formed. For the group of seven men in my novel, Boyd’s Burger Joint is their gathering place—a hub where they discuss, debate, and ultimately shape their perception of Joe, the man at the center of the story.
By choosing this setting, I wanted readers to feel like they were stepping into a place they’d been before—a space that’s relatable and real.
Why I Chose the Name Joe
The name Joe was an intentional choice. I wanted the protagonist to represent the everyman—someone we could all see in our communities, someone whose life might not seem extraordinary but whose story has immense depth and impact.
Joe could be anyone—a neighbor, a friend, a coworker. He embodies the idea of the regular person caught in extraordinary circumstances. By giving him such a common name, I hoped to amplify the story’s relatability and make readers consider how easily any one of us could find ourselves in his shoes.
Exploring False Accusations
The heart of A Good Witness lies in its exploration of false accusations and the ripple effects they create. In today’s world, we’re constantly bombarded with information—some true, some not. With the rise of social media and the internet, it’s become all too easy for a single comment or claim to snowball into widespread belief.
This book was born from my fascination—and concern—with this phenomenon. I wanted to show how quickly assumptions can turn into “facts” when we don’t take the time to question, research, or understand the full picture. Through the men’s testimonies and their eventual realization, A Good Witness asks readers to consider how often they’ve taken someone else’s word as truth without examining it themselves.
The Characters: Everyday Jobs, Everyday People
When creating the main characters, I deliberately chose common jobs that readers could easily recognize:
• The Coach: A community leader, someone admired but also flawed.
• The Mechanic: The hardworking individual who keeps the wheels turning—literally and figuratively.
• The Carpenter: A builder, both of homes and of relationships.
• The Banker: The numbers person, grounded but often seen as distant.
• The Factory Worker: A steady presence, representing the backbone of industry.
• The Detective: The one who knew it was best to hold emotions and distribute facts.
• The Truck Driver: The lone traveler, a symbol of both freedom and isolation.
Each of these professions represents a slice of everyday life, making the characters relatable to readers. My goal was for everyone to see themselves—or someone they know—in at least one of these roles. This relatability draws readers deeper into the story, making them feel the weight of the men’s decisions and their eventual regrets.
A Lesson on Independent Thinking
At its core, A Good Witness is a call to action. It’s a reminder to be brave and thoughtful enough to question what we hear, even when it’s easier to accept it as truth. The seven men in my story serve as a mirror for all of us. At some point, we’ve all been guilty of believing something because someone else said it, or because it was on the internet, or because it aligned with what we wanted to believe.
But what happens when that belief turns out to be wrong? What happens when our assumptions cause harm?
I wanted this book to challenge readers to pause and think—to do their own research, to seek the truth, and to recognize the power and responsibility we all have as individuals to form our own opinions.
The Revolutionary Message of A Good Witness
Writing this book was deeply personal for me. I believe it’s a story we all need to hear, especially in today’s world. It’s not just about Joe and the men at Boyd’s Burger Joint—it’s about all of us.
We live in a time when information is abundant, but wisdom is scarce. A Good Witness is my way of urging readers to value critical thinking, to question the narratives they’re told, and to take ownership of their beliefs. It’s a story about accountability, about understanding the weight of our words and actions, and about the courage it takes to stand for what’s right.
Why I Wrote This Book
At the end of the day, I wrote A Good Witness for you—for the reader who’s been in Joe’s position, or the men’s positions, or somewhere in between. I wanted to write a story that felt real, that made you think, and that stayed with you long after you turned the last page.
This book is about community, humanity, and the importance of truth. It’s a story that represents something we’ve all done—taking someone else’s word as fact—and challenges us to do better.
I hope A Good Witness inspires you to look closer, think deeper, and never underestimate the power of your own mind and heart. Afterall, it’s up to us to decide what we’ll stand for - it’s up to us to be A Good Witness.