People have asked me about the origin of the story and characters. I appreciate the opportunity to share a bit about that. I was inspired by my observations of people in different cities and small towns where I have lived and especially how they were committed to family and community. I have mental snapshots of towns where I’ve travelled, and I also have old black and white photographs for inspiration. I give names to all the streets, neighborhoods, stores, schools, etc. based on some ancestral research. So, some of the imaginary places have a personal connection for me. There are sounds, landmarks and landscapes that place the reader in the exact spot with the characters. I endeavor to capture all the senses in each scene.
My characters evolve as I throw them into conflict throughout the plot. Randall Wells is a favorite of mine. I think I relate closely to him because I am very protective of the important people in my life. By the third book in the series, Milo’s Journey, Jules is my favorite because of her quiet presence and she inspires Milo to make one of the biggest decisions in his life. The librarian is the true hero in Final Harvest, as many are in real life.
`Barbara Howard
Thanks for sharing! - Barbara Howard
ReplyDelete