Welcome to this week’s Jen’s Jewels! In the spotlight is debut author Dara Levan, offering a captivating glimpse into her novel, IT COULD BE WORSE. Levan, a former speech-language pathologist, injects a unique perspective into her storytelling by exploring communication challenges and their profound impact on relationships. Join me for an insightful conversation with Dara as she delves into her writing process, discusses her podcast “Every Soul Has a Story,” and teases upcoming projects. Don’t miss the chance to connect with this rising literary voice and discover the nuanced layers within IT COULD BE WORSE.   Jennifer Vido: What inspired you to write IT COULD BE WORSE? Dara Levan: I’ve always been interested in developing a protagonist whose perpetual optimism can inadvertently turn into dysfunctional loyalty. And it’s ironic given my main character – Allegra’s – professional background as a mindfulness therapist. As a former speech-language pathologist, I’m passionate about creating characters that also have communication challenges. Allegra stutters but only with a family member.   Jen: What led to the choice of the title, and how does the notion of resilience intertwine with Allegra’s journey in the story? Dara: Throughout her life, Allegra heard the phrase “it could be…