For my debut novel, I loved hearing feedback from readers about what they liked, how they thought of the characters, and what touched them the most. That helped me know what parts readers connected to the most. Bert, my crazy rooster has been adored and loved by everyone so he continues in the other stories where it fits.
I was an avid reader before I became a writer. Many times I would finish a book and a deep desire to write a story filled me. I ignored it for a long time. Then I was on my son's 4th grade field trip in Sacramento in the one-room schoolhouse and an idea came to me. It took twelve years to write the book, learn how to make it better, get feedback, and finally earn a publisher's interest. the journey itself was challenging, but one I'm thankful to have had. God's timing is always better than my own.
