In this first episode, Gloria answers a big question. Why should you join her on this journey? She begins by discussing why she started This Novel is Happening, how she became a writer, her academic background which eventually led to her writing a novel. She talks about the impetus for her forthcoming novel and how it was the project that earned her a Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) in creative writing from Florida Atlantic University. She discusses how food is the centerpiece of her Italian upbringing and how it serves as the framework for her novel. She gives us some insight into what the podcast is going to be about, her concerns and goals for the future.