Jan Whitford's Mystic Island, a comic, romantic tale with historical overtones, unfolds from the perspective of a strong female lead. The author, a guy, says that the book even inches toward "chick lit." How did he write such a convincing woman protagonist? With a little help from his friends.

Join Jan Evan Whitford and Writing Show host Paula B. as we explore:

* Why he alternates between third- and first-person points of view

* Why he decided to make his main character a woman

* How he manages to get inside a woman character's head so convincingly

* How he choreographed his hurricane

* How he was able to make every detail of the hurricane so realistic

* How he dealt with the issue of putting words in a historical figure's mouth (or pen)

* How he managed to surprise the reader at the end without contrivance

* What "snake hands" are and why you should care.