A Conversation With Megan Staffel, Author of The Causative Factor

When asked about her writing, Amy Hempel once said, “I like the moment the thing changes. I like the aftermath of the big event more than I like to portray the event itself.” In The Causative Factor, Staffel captivates the reader with both the big event and the emotional and artistic arc of the afterwards. After seeing a sudden, traumatic act, Rachel struggles to understand the burdens of loss and witnessing through her maturation as a visual artist. The aftermath, Rachel learns, can become both purpose and inspiration if one is committed to explore what can’t be unseen or fully understood. The Indypendent calls The Causative Factor “…a beautifully written look at the psychological factors that shape us into the people we ultimately become… a troubling love story about lingering pain and what it means to find peace after a traumatic experience.”