An idea or a concept inspired each of my books — except my newest novel, When the Chokecherries Bloom.
Proving Her Claim began with a statistic. While 42% of women (unmarried or widowed) homesteaders proved their claims, only 37% of men (single or married) proved their claims.
Lone Tree Claim was inspired by a museum exhibit: Sheep were for the Cash – Cattle were for the Prestige.
Medicine Creek Claim started with another book about two sisters: Land of the Burnt Thigh.
When the Chokecherries Bloom was inspired by a reader. After reading Proving Her Claim (which is a little spicy), the reader said, “I wish there was a version of this book for my granddaughter.”
That was the beginning of Shining Water’s story. When the Chokecherries Bloom picks up where Proving Her Claim ends. It’s not a sequel, so readers don’t need to be familiar with Anna Olson, Two Hawks, or Shining Water to enjoy this story.
When the Chokecherries Bloom is a year in the life of Shining Water, the daughter of Two Hawks MacKenzie. It’s written from the perspective of a pre-teen girl…for pre-teen girls. As I wrote in an earlier column, this was written for younger readers, although I think almost anyone can relate to the challenges that Shining Water faces.
The story relies on Lakota language and customs. Each chapter is named for a month — a moon — in the Lakota calendar. It begins and ends with the Moon When the Chokecherries are Ripe. It’s a year of discovery and growth for Shining Water and her family.
I had never written in this genre or for this age group, but it was an enjoyable experience.
I hope my readers agree.