Two years ago, I received an email from a woman from Nebraska vacationing on Lake Lida. She wanted to get more of my books and wondered if we could meet. Other family members wanted to meet me as well. I was busy but decided I could make time.
We met at the DQ in Pelican Rapids because that was the only restaurant open, due to heavy road construction through town. She brought her nieces, cousins, aunt and sister-in-law. She had the teenagers prepare questions about why I started writing, what I’d learned along the way, where my ideas came from, how I developed the stories. I was enchanted with them. We had such a lively discussion, sitting at a picnic table outside of the DQ. It was an unexpected, delightful experience.
Every year, when they return to Lake Lida, Amy calls, and I meet her and her family. We catch up on what’s happening in our lives and my new releases. They gave me advice about Lake Lida, where Under the Ice takes place. Because of Amy, I have a significant following in Hadar and Norfolk, Nebraska! I want to visit there.
Thank you to Amy Koeppe, her sister-in-law Amy Koeppe, niece Alivia Koeppe, cousins Nevaeh Koeppe, Oakley Koeppe, and Sydney Winter, and aunt Carla Winter.
