Cold sweat runs down Kate's back as she stands over the hospital bed, watching the mother she cares for slowly die. The buzzing beep of the heart monitoring machine pierces the air. Kate kisses her mother one last time, wiping the hot tears from her watery eyes, and slowly begins to leave. Step by step, the pain intensifies in her heart, but Kate must stay strong and move forward. A new chapter in his life begins here. Much like Kate, Anna Quindlen suffers the catastrophic death of her mother dying of cancer, leaving her to arrive at college with a whole new perspective. Her significant childhood and maturity, the death of her mother, and the birth of three children influenced Anna Quindlen in her writing. Having grown and matured as a young woman and raised to become the exquisite author she remains today, Anna Quindlen expresses her opinion in her works. As a teenager, the path to success seemed rocky when Quindlen attempted suicide twice. She wanted to get away from her life and live somewhere peaceful. Her suicide gave rise to a new positive attitude in Quindlen as she entered her studies and new career ("Anna"). Upon entering college, Quindlen decided to take care of her ailing mother. Expected to be away from school for a while and caring for her mother, she spent months at her mother's side, "learning the horrible truths about dying from cancer" ("Anna"). Quindlen refuses to let herself be walked on, unlike Fran in her novel Black and Blue, and instead Quindlen takes action by writing about abortion and child care ("Anna" 480). In Black and Blue, Bobby abuses Fran and takes advantage of her, with his voice "like a confessor, like a seducer" persuading Frannie to believe situations far from the truth (Quindlen, Black 3). Disagreeing with controversial topics, Quindlen displays her belief in the power of equal freedom and fair treatment for women by writing about it. All of the problems Quindlen faced growing up put her in circumstances that inspire her to deal with the topics she chooses to write about ("Anna" 480). The struggles and struggles that Anna Quindlen overcame throughout her life and the ideas and opinions learned in her childhood have influenced her works. A tragic event struck Quindlen when her mother died of ovarian cancer and influenced her entire world..