Gerald DiPego, a native of the Illinois lake towns, has authored many short stories and plays, and has published four previous novels and a guide for aspiring writers. He has writt...view moreGerald DiPego, a native of the Illinois lake towns, has authored many short stories and plays, and has published four previous novels and a guide for aspiring writers. He has written over thirty movies, including "Phenomenon" and "Message in a Bottle". He lives and writes in California's Santa Ynez Valley.view less