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A Wanderer's Soul

A Wanderer's Soul
Tess Story (BS ’91, Applied Liberal Studies) has brought together her passion for the arts and love of writing in her first book, “A Wanderer’s Soul”.

“It is set in post-plague Europe, and it’s based on two young survivors of the plague who lived outside Florence,” Story said. 

Her novel focuses on their treacherous journey as they become entangled in a quest for answers to a mysterious relic entrusted to Friar Benito, the lone survivor of the fall of St. Stephens. “The three of them have to make it to Constantinople to deliver the translation of this relic.” 

Story said that she came up with the idea for “A Wanderer’s Soul” several years ago, “I was traveling through Europe, and my sister and I stayed in a villa outside Florence.” “On the hillside above where the villa was, there was a monastery, and we decided to hike up there to see if they gave tours.” While in the monastery, she saw a sculpture of a monk’s sarcophagus, “I was just memorized.”

Story didn’t forget about the experience, and began writing the novel a year later. For her, “it was about bringing my passion for the arts and my love of writing together.”

Story is a graduate of Western Michigan University’s Extended University Programs. As a working mother, the flexible program allowed her to continue teaching studio art while earning her bachelor’s degree.  

To learn more about “A Wanderer’s Soul,” click here.

 
Posted by Samantha Macy