I have had the pleasure of doing a lot of book events and thought I’d share some of the more commonly asked questions and several comments, too.

At readings, folks have asked me about the little cabin in the back of Eve and Ruby’s place briefly mentioned in the first book. It seems that people really like a little mystery. So in the second installment I shared more about it and threw in some magic with the “healing ribbon,” because I think we all need a dose of the unexplained now and again.

Many people are curious how I go about writing. I don’t plan too much ahead when I sit down to see what the girls are up to. After editing the last couple of pages, I dig in. Sometimes I may have a goal or event or maybe even a place I want to end up at, but how the story gets there is the fun stuff. If nothing comes to mind, I get up from my computer and head off to maybe chop some wood or feed the chickens. But I’m always thinking about what might happen next.

I had a wonderful experience at a reading/signing event in California recently. Seven, twelve-year-old Girl Scouts were seated in the front row, taking a step toward earning their Book Publishing merit badge by listening to an author and then asking a question. One young gal—all nervous and beet red in the face—asked, “Mister Jay Gilbertson, what do you come up with first…the plot or the conflict?” What a great question! After stalling a minute by cracking a joke, I told her that for me, the plot unfolds just like life does and oftentimes crap (I used the word stuff—they’re twelve!) happens along the way—and that’s conflict.

Many gals want Eve to stay single, but one reader sure thought she should be getting some! I promptly replied, “how do you know she’s not?” I really don’t enjoy reading sex scenes, so I seriously doubt I’ll write any either. Yawn! Besides, being a good Norwegian, you just don’t talk about that stuff—much. I’m a lot more drawn to all the issues surrounding sex. That’s the real crux of so many disputes and complex conflicts.

As I mentioned in my acknowledgments, my friend Mary went about the daunting task of locating her daughter that she had given up at the young age of seventeen. Most of Eve and Helen’s story is just that—story. But the emotion, the fear and all those years of wondering and finally (GASP!), the meeting—I used as inspiration to give a ring of truth to several of the scenes in this novel. The sweet, heartwarming tale of the yellow sweater was a true one.

I’m happy to report that by the time you’ve read this Mary will have attended her daughter’s wedding as well. I just love happy beginnings.

Keep those e-mails coming. I love to hear your thoughts, stories and all those secrets, too. Check out more about the girls (and guys) of Madeline Island at my web site: www.jaygilbertson.com.

Jay