Readers Ask: Why Do You Re-Use Character Names?

Helen writes:

Just finished reading your Book of Hours. It's the 15th book of yours that I have read recently. Love your books!  My ancestry is traced back to the Chappells who came from France on the heels of William the Conquerer coming to England in 1066. So, Knightsbridge and the descriptions in The Book of Hours was especially interesting to me.

Wasn't the name Brian Blackstone a character in "One Shenandoah Winter"?  Or am I reading the books too close to each other?

Dear Helen:

Thanks so much. Book of Hours remains one I go back to once a year, and reread for the simple pleasure of a good tale well told. It's a healing balance between spirit and mystery, I feel, and never fails to make me smile. I'm so glad you've been touched by it as well.

As for your question, Helen, the answer is, I have no idea whether I've used Brian Blackstone as a character name before.

It is amazing to have this come up right at this moment. Yesterday my wife was reading the first few chapters of a new story I've been working on, and she told me that THREE of my characters' names have been used before, and another is a real person we know from the publishing world!

I was stunned. Isabella has caught me at this before, to be perfectly honest. It's one reason why her read-through is so vital. I get lost in the story, and can do some really silly things in the process.

So the answer is, there's just no telling what gaffe I've done.

The most important thing is, you enjoyed the tale. Thank you so much for writing and sharing that with me.

Here is additional reader chatter about The Book of Hours, from my Facebook Page: 

Karen writes:

I just started reading The Book Of Hours, and am overjoyed to have found your writing and books. I can't seem to put this book down; it's rich with culture, scenery, and you tell the story so well with each character's traits.

Tim writes:

This is one of my wife's all time favorite books! I don't think we ever got it back from loaning it out…

Kimberley writes:

It's one of mine, too. I've loaned it, lost it, bought it, loaned it, lost it so many times. Now I give it for gifts so others can just keep it. It's wonderful!

Sandy writes:

I just brought this book home from the library yesterday! Now I really can't wait to read it! I have read about 10 of your other books, and was sooo excited to see the review of this one!

Dear Readers,

Thank you all for these lovely notes. In case you're interested, I just heard from a film producer that they are trying to put together financing to make this a feature film. There are a lot of hurdles to cross, but it is lovely to see this little book gain such attention.