A month or so ago, I published my third novel. As always , I did so with great trepidation and hope!

Living with a novel for weeks, months, years provides an author with a deep and penetrating knowledge of the characters and their lives. In one respect, authors come to know them so well that it is easy to assume that readers will have that same understanding.

Throughout the process, an author is tempted to lead readers too much, to assume they lack understanding, to treat them like children—and as a result, to insist upon filling in every bit of detail and minutiae so they understand the story.

In other words, to leave nothing to readers’ imaginations or intelligence.

But good writing and editing demands a writer trust readers to think. Most readers are smart people. Because they take the time to read a book, they are so different from those who prefer to sit in front of a screen and have stories laid out. Movies will always lack the depth and complexity of books.

Readers are different. They are delightfully complex, curious, determined, and tenacious. Most readers will see a book to the end, even ones they aren’t enamored with initially. They choose carefully when they begin and what they know from experience is that getting to the end makes the entire experience worth it. There’s a sense of accomplishment.

I remember reading a novel years ago that didn’t bowl me over at first, but my daughter, who had recommended the book, said, “Keep reading!” I’m glad I did. The ending—one of my favorites of all time—was absolutely worth the journey through the book.

So when I released my third novel it is with great hopes that I have succeeded in balancing what I wanted to write, what I know about my characters, and what audiences will discover—and fall in love with.

It’s that simple—and that hard.

Now I wait as reviews trickle in and readers tell me what they liked—or didn’t like. If you have a chance (or the inclination) to read any of my books, I would love to know what you think! Leave a comment here or on a book site….or shoot me an email. I am eager to learn your thoughts.

Dunkard’s Hollow, my newest, as well as Cairnaerie and Fleuringala, are available in paperback and electronically, through Amazon and most online booksellers

_{photo by Pezibear through Pixaby}