It took me nine years to write, revise, edit again, and rewrite my debut novel, The Pendant’s Promise, a story set in the Vietnam era. As I held that first printed edition in my hands, I thought I’d finished.
One year after publication, a reader sent me an email wanting to know more about how Lily and Alex got together. The short glimpses of backstory didn’t add enough detail for her.
Busy on a new project, I responded I’d think about it.
A second reader wrote asking me when Lily and Alex’s romance would come out. That made me think maybe I should write a full account of their early relationship.
When a third reader asked the same question, I knew I needed to create their love story.
That’s how Love in the Morning Calm, Prelude to The Pendant’s Promise came to be. Preludes don’t usually follow the original manuscript, but that was what my readers wanted.
With it published, I, once again, thought I’d finished the saga, but it wasn’t to be. Readers begin to ask me about what happened to a third character in the first tale.
Mid-way through my first draft of his story, a different reader, who had just finished reading the first two books, pressed me to know how two of the secondary characters got together.
A true romance fan, she’d read between the lines of The Pendant’s Promise and knew they would. Only she wanted to know the full story.
Thus, my debut novel, which grew from my time as a Department of Army Civilian working at Headquarters Eighth Army in South Korea, became the Promises series.
Until He Returns will release in May. The final (?) book, Promises to Keep, will come out later this year. I have a question mark after the word final because who knows what readers will want next.
Whatever it is, I’ll consider the idea. I trust reader input. All writers should.
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Award-winning author Judythe Morgan juggles many hats. She’s an Air Force daughter, Army wife, one time-Department of Army Civilian, mother/grandmother, antiques dealer, school teacher (private, church, and public), mayor’s wife, and sometimes-church pianist.
Her diverse experiences bring life to her characters and you’ll always find a happy ending because she believes in true love, second chances, and forgiveness.
Connect with Judythe’s blog: https://judythewriter.com. Sign up for Judythe’s newsletter and receive a free eReader copy of Love in the Morning Calm, Prelude to The Pendant’s Promise, Book 1 in the Promises series.