Plowman: Harvest of Grain and Innocence follows two young girls who discover in their grandparent’s attic old wartime journals from their ancestors. What was the initial idea behind this story, and how did that transform as you were writing the novel?

Three years ago, I began writing ideas about two teenage girls, best friends, who fell into a winding fire escape from the third floor of a house. They dropped into a land torn by greed, tyranny, and war. It was to be a fantasy tale. The strange country, prehistoric and mythical animals, different people, main characters, and plot were set. Then, my initial research of past and current wars, as well as fantasy tales, took a sharp turn and led me to instead write this historical fiction novel, Plowman. The muse that guides my writing called for real-life learning, companionship, friendship, faith, loss, suffering, and recovery in our time and place. The original fantasy tale is saved for another time.

What kind of research did you do for this novel to ensure you captured the essence of the story’s theme?

Atop my personal experience with war, I delved into the histories of wars, ancient to modern. My general research question was: What were the proclaimed reasons for one country attacking another country, the tactics and weapons, suffering and loss on both sides, and the spoils for the victors?

What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?

Mainly, the never-ending suffering, death, loss of liberty, self-determination, and identity, stolen possessions, and livelihood for the men, women, and children who bear war’s burdens.

Is there any moral or idea that you hope readers take away from the story?

How do we become more just, truthful, and compassionate as people? Wars have been a part of human experience since the beginning of time. Doing nothing or wishing wars away is a distraction, at best, complicit, at worst. Bad things happen. Wicked people exist. A nation must always be prepared to defend itself against evil as a last resort. Have wise, experienced, and honorable leaders. Inform its people about threats. Be fair, truthful, and just. Be prepared to go to war for its people and its allies, mindful that citizens and soldiers will die on battlefields.

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