Yesterday morning, at 3 a.m., I sent my editor the sequel to The Measure of Katie Calloway. The title is: The Endurance of Ingrid Larsen (A Promise To Love), and oh how I loved writing Ingrid’s story! I spent most of yesterday, after sending the manuscript in, either staring into space or crying. Finishing a book is an emotional roller coaster for me. I am grateful to take a break, but my characters become so real to me that I feel a sort of grief when the book ends. In the Sugarcreek book, for instance, I still miss Bertha. I find myself longing to talk with her, and have to remind myself that she isn’t real, but it never works, because in my heart she’s very real.
That’s why getting to write the sequel to Katie Calloway was so satisfying. I had never written a sequel before, and getting to revisit the lumber camp, was so much fun. (I’ll tell you right now–Jigger did NOT enjoy his sojourn cooking for the health institute in Battle Creek, Michigan!)
However, in The Measure of Katie Calloway, it is Delia–the old prostitute–that I miss the most. This surprised me, because she was a minor character and only showed up at the very beginning and the very end. But there is something about her resilience, especially in the last scene where it’s obvious that she’s been beat up and she confides to Robert that she has been praying for a way out. There is just something about that scene that haunts me even a full year after I wrote it. Therefore, it felt wonderful, in the book I just sent in, to give Delia a voice and a life. She’s turned into quite a lady, that Delia has!
I have to admit, I’m dying to know what readers think of this lumber camp story. Drop me a line if you get a chance! I read and answer every e-mail and love doing it.
Katie McCurdy
October 11, 2011 @ 2:52 pm
Ohh, I didn’t know you were planning a sequel to The Measure of Katie Calloway. How cool! I just finished this book last week and COMPLETELY enjoyed it. 5 big stars from me!! What an awesome story!
Now I get to look forward to The Endurance of Ingrid Larsen. I’m sure it will be just as awesome as Katie’s story. (Though I might still be partial to Katie Calloway…as she shares my name! lol!)
Keep up the awesome work, Serena!
Linda Dobberowsky
November 15, 2013 @ 10:17 pm
I loved this book and under a blackberry moon. I am from Michigan and was trying through our historical society if White Point actually existed here in the thumb area. Was it a real city or just made up for the story. Please let me know if and when there is more stories about this area and the lumberjacks. I really enjoyed both books.
Margaret @ Creative Madness Mama
October 14, 2011 @ 11:43 am
Hey there, I’m really ecstatic about the idea of a sequel too. I finished the book the other day and wrote a review from my nook that should have posted at BN, but it disappeared, so I rewrote a new review this morning. I posted it just now and it’s on goodreads, Creative Madness Mama and it’s currently the top post at http://www.ChristianHistoricalFiction.com
Here’s a direct link –> http://creativemadnessmama.com/blog/2011/10/14/the-measure-of-katie-calloway-by-serena-miller/
Sue Adams
November 19, 2011 @ 9:32 am
I can’t wait to order this book. Even though it’s not a sequel to “The Measure of Katie Calloway” it’s your style of writing that draws me into the lives of the people. I feel I know them personally and find myself thinking about them and hoping they are doing well. You are truly gifted in your writings.
Debbie Paul
January 2, 2012 @ 1:38 pm
Serena,
Thank you for this wonderful book! I just finished, and was thinking as I did there need to
be LOTS of sequels. Enjoyed every minute of it!!! Such a great, wonderful story & characters that become your friends almost the moment you meet them in the book.
May God richly bless your talent and writing. Can’t wait for the release of this book! I’m going through a difficult time right now in my life; and this book has given me hope and inspiration! 🙂
Gerry Smith
October 17, 2012 @ 5:59 pm
Thanks for the update on your new book. Can’t wait to purchase it and several of the others as I plan to give them as Christmas gifts. Keep up the good work as you share your writing talent with all of us.
Edie Adams
October 2, 2016 @ 11:26 pm
Picked The Measure of Katie Calloway up at a thrift store, what a GREAT find. I couldn’t put this book down. Definitely 5 stars from me.
Also had to see if there was a sequel at our local library, so glad there was. I am from Michigan so the story being based here made it even more interesting. Glad you were able to go to Hardwick Pines.
You are a wonderful storyteller.