Six years ago, I had an idea just before the Valley Home Educator’s Convention in Modesto, California. A friend of mine and I went every year (back before she up and moved on me. Hmph.) My idea? Take some of the odd things I’d seen in my lifetime and explore them in a specific setting. What would happen if someone was socially isolated from society but still given a very rich and loving home? That idea became what I affectionately called a “Blog Opera.” I wrote episodes daily, weekly, sometimes monthly. Other projects crowded it out at times, but inevitably I came back to “Willow.”
From the beginning, Willow has always had a strong (if small at that time) fan base. On a private message board, we even have a forum we called “Woupies” (Willow Groupies). We did it because conversations about her and her story were taking over the main forum on the board. About that time, people began asking when it would be in print. I had no idea. You see, I put the book up, in its rawest form, online as I wrote it. There were “head jumps” as I explored each person’s point of view at any given moment. Fun to write, and for me to read, but many people find it confusing. There were punctuation and consistency errors everywhere. To release it in print (or to the general public) would be a task so daunting I didn’t want to think about it.
Enter the publicist who has taken over my life (and I love dearly in spite of it!). One of the first things Ashley said was, “We’re going to release Willow, in installments as you wrote it, and then into collections. People are going to love Willow.”
I said, “Yes ma’am” and got to work. After all, I was under direct orders to do whatever Ashley said from the almost highest authority. No, God didn’t talk to me. I got it from my mother. You just do what Mom says. You just do. In that sense, she’s a little like “Mother.”
I began the daunting task of editing each “episode” (which consists of 6-10 chapters and approximately 20-25K words). Essentially, every week, I rewrite the entire text of that episode. It is such hard work. I have old dear friends and new dear friends who help me proofread every single chapter. My editor, although in the US on furlough, worked to help us finish.
2016 Update: Wow… those were fun times–stressful, but fun! WOOT!
I love your books! I’ve read the Aggie series and also the Rockland Chronicles. I have been following the Past Forward and bought a few of them, caught a few for free and just bought episode 5 before reading this… oh well your books are worth more than the money spent.. Will you be making all of your books available on Kindle? I noticed some of your books on your author page on Amazon aren’t available on Kindle…just wondering. Wishing you a wonderful Tuesday!
Jan! Thank you so much for your encouragement. Every book that I have in print is also available on Kindle. A few books on the site are “coming soon” but haven’t been labeled as such yet. WE’ve been doing an overhaul of the site recently and it’s not quite finished. So the Journey of Dreams series, Everard, and 31 Kisses are “up there” but not actually available yet.
We’ll have great promos when they come out. The first Journey of Dreams, Prairie, should be available soon!
l’ve read the Aggie books and waiting for tomorrow’s chapter 6. I will be downloading more of your wonderful books for future reading.
I am really enjoying Willow, I am ready for her and Chad to hook up.
Thrilled to see your work “out there” for everyone to enjoy! 🙂
Okay. I didn’t realize I could click on the links and repin it. I did it’!!!! Yay!!!!!! Anyways am putting I repinned both because I did and hope I did it right. Shows on Books I love so…………..
I’m new to.pinterist so have no idea how to do it. If I figure it out I will come back and do those too.
I love that you combined the first five episodes into one book, it will make it much easier to read them in order on my kindle. I’m almost finished with “Here We Come” (Aggie’s Inheritance”) and I think it’s going to be hard when I read the very last page. I love Aggie, the kids, Luke, William and everyone else who I’ve gotten to know, I’m really going to miss them. I will be starting “Past Forward” series next and I’m sure I will enjoy them just as much!
Thanks for the giveaway and also for writing such great books!
You’ll find Aggie and her kids in Past Forward. In a few months, Ellie and Tavish will be staying there!
Really enjoying your books. Can’t wait ’til my girls start reading them!
I’m having so much fun reading your books, and learning things too! This is a great idea to combine them into one, as I do have a hard time finding the correct episode on my Kindle app on my tablet! (tiny print, aging eyes, lol)
I’m very excited to share with my friends!
Love.
All done! I made a “collection” for you on my Kindle app 😉
Thanks so much for offering the first episode again. That was the only one I didnt’ have!
You know I love Willow and want to be her friend! Thanks for sharing her with me.
I’m getting quite the collection of all your e-books – even though I don’t own an e-reader. (I hope they are transferable from my laptop if I ever do get one.)
Keep up the good work Miss Neighbour Lady. Now I just have to make me some time to sit and read :O)
You’re the best neighbor ever!