Paul Stankus asked Sarah McCoy:

Aside from Sarah (for obvious reasons given the mirror reflection of your names) who was your favorite character in The Mapmaker's Children and why?

Sarah McCoy Right-- the Sarah-Sarah connection is fluky! Technically, my momma stole Sarah Brown’s name 134 years later, so she claimed it far before me. Had John Brown’s only unmarried artist daughter been named Clementine, one of THE MAPMAKER'S CHILDREN’s protagonists would be named after a fruit. It just so happens my name is Sarah, too. Perhaps that’s what made her story spirit seek me out—a sister Sarah. But I can confidently say she was and is her own autonomous person. I learned from her; I admire her greatly for the legacy she left behind.
Through the writing of this novel, I’ve integrated aspects of her into my own life that I didn’t have on page 1. She and Eden together inspired me to be a braver, bolder, stronger woman, unafraid to map my own life outside of the constraints of convention. They told me, "You’re okay, Sarah McCoy. You’re okay, contemporary 'Eden' readers out there. We’re okay, sister women." That was their inheritance to me, and I pray to everyone who picks up this book.

I'm equally smitten by both of my protagonists but truthfully... the entire cast of New Charlestown won me with their spirit, spunk, and secrets--some of those I'm still riveted to explore!

I got off on a little tangent there, Paul, but I hope this answers your question. Feel free to post more of those Qs you mentioned. We have all month here!

Yours truly,
Sarah

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