The Orchard follows a resourceful orphaned girl whose unlikely bond with an elderly gnome transforms a neglected orchard into a haven of faith, love, second chances, and chosen family. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?

I have always enjoyed reading coming-of-age stories, and the inspiration they provide as one navigates the passage of time, no matter if that is being a teenager, a harried thirty-year-old, or approaching seventy. Growing up in a rural area, I have spent hours working in the family orchard. Farm work teaches life lessons that carry with one for years. The gnome was based on a dear gentleman that I had an acquaintance with and his character was an inspiration.

Theodore begins as Elsie’s protector and teacher, but their relationship changes over time. What did you want their evolving bond to reveal about family?

The bond between Elsie and Theodore changes to illustrate that caring grows as we spend time with people. Family often doesn’t mean those with whom we share blood ties. Elsie and Theodore develop a mutual dependence, instead of a one-sided relationship where Theodore is the caregiver. He comes to realize his life is richer by sharing it with others. His own fears due to his being different from others held him back for most of his life. Our greatest potential is awakened not when we know we can’t fail, but when we know we are loved no matter what the outcome is.

Elsie is remarkably independent and practical from a young age. How did you balance her childhood vulnerability with her determination and growing sense of responsibility?

Adversity acts as a motivating factor in Elsie’s life. Her early years were unsettled, and when Theodore begins to show her that she has potential for a different life, she grabs it with resolve. As her own life begins to bloom, she is determined to help those around her find their potential. Elsie understands that education, in its many forms, holds the key to overcoming present circumstances.

The orchard’s restoration parallels Elsie’s personal growth and the household’s expansion. How did you develop this setting as a symbol of renewal and belonging?

In parts of the world, there are four very distinct seasons. In the spring, I look forward to new growth on trees and flowers; I watch it through the summer, tending to the needs of the vegetation; in fall comes the harvest and the glorious colors; many people think all is dormant in the winter, but there is maintenance to that plant. Our lives have seasons, both mini-seasons and expanses of years that parallel nature.

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