I’m starting to get feedback from some advanced readers concerning my third novel.

I’m excited by what I’m hearing so far.

It made me think. What makes a good advanced reader?

Well, I like diversity. My third novel is mainly set in Vietnam, so I have chosen a variety of readers – foreigners who have lived in Vietnam, others who have never stepped foot in Vietnam, and, recently, my first ACTUAL Vietnamese advance reader who will give me her impressions.

Perhaps it’s easy to see why diversity is important. I don’t want to write a novel about Vietnam that only people from Vietnam can relate to. Stories have to transcend settings. Some of the comments I appreciated the most about my novel Beauty Rising is when a reviewer would mention how they enjoyed reading about Vietnam and could visualize it and experience it. That visual relationship is crucial for someone who has never been there.

The comments I’ve received so far about my third novel seem to indicate that I’ve hit the right balance between story and setting. The setting gives the story its richness and vividness, but its the story and the relationship between the characters which must resonate in order for the novel to soar.

I think I have some rigidly drawn characters in my third novel, separated in time by 55 years. There are some grand themes as well such as love, duty, family obligations, the bond of generations, just to name a few.

Oh, and after reading it, my latest advanced reader said that she loved the title. That made me happy because it meant that the symbolism and meaning embedded in the story is resonating as well.

I can’t wait for the release of The Reach of the Banyan Tree.

I also can’t wait to see the cover that is being designed. It’s coming!