Writing is a lonely and demanding craft, as made abundantly clear in countless sayings attributed to writers of all stripes, from famous authors who have attained great success to aspiring unknowns toiling in anonymity. Here’s a tiny sample of such gems that have struck a chord with me as I’m continually searching for words of experience and guidance:

“Go inside where silence is. Stay there. Let words bubble up.” 
—Maxime Lagacé, https://wisdomquotes.com/

“At its best, the sensation of writing is that of any unmerited grace. It is handed to you, but only if you look for it. You search, you break your heart, your back, your brain, and then — and only then — it is handed to you.” 
—Annie Dillard

“There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at the typewriter and bleed.” 
—Ernest Hemingway

And so, how does someone with the fire of writing in their belly keep it ablaze for hours, weeks, months, or even years on end while sweating on their labor of love, and then as soon as it’s finished and birthed, happily jump on another project and replicate the process all over again, book after book?

For me, the answer is straightforward enough. As long as I still have stories to tell and, most importantly, as those stories still matter to my readers, I’m excited to sit myself back down at the computer and keep going. More specifically to the second point, reader feedback is my greatest source of motivation. To know that my writing has touched you, my readers, in some way — be it to provide a few hours of escape, some information of personal interest to you, or a different perspective on some issues — is all the inspiration I need to keep on writing.

Over the years, you’ve blessed me with truly heartfelt feedback (on Amazon, Goodreads) that has touched me deeply. I am proud and happy to share a small sample of it below.  Thank you from my heart, and I gratefully look forward to receiving more of your wonderful insight as we continue to explore together.

“Your book signing event will be forever in our hearts. Your book was instrumental to the healing of many hearts and souls. Thank you!”

“Once Upon A Mulberry Field may be the finest expression ever written of that tremulous time in Saigon and the lives of Vietnamese and Americans alike so intertwined and dramatically affected. I was there as a young U.S. Naval officer in 1964 – 1965 and privileged to be there again as I read this marvelous novel that is as true as life.”

“From captivating descriptions of the lush landscape of Vietnam and its charming people to quiet interludes between battles and tragic losses, I was moved to tears. . . . My husband was stationed at Bien-Hoa Airbase in 1967, but not until reading this novel, did I begin to understand what it was really like.”

“Once Upon a Mulberry Field connected me to my father again. He served two tours in VietNam and my mother and sister and brother and I waited at home for him. This tender story set in that dreadful war is a comforting companion all these years later.”

“C L Hoang skillfully told a heart-wrenching love story during the most turbulent period of the Vietnam war. I was brought up in Vietnam, left the country a few years after his story began. Hoang transported me back to my youth in the war-torn country with all the wounds and pains.”

“C.L. Hoang, I am so proud, and so honored, to have you bear witness to our unique common past, with so much grace, sensibility, humbleness, and luminosity.”

“This is one of a handful of books that I will urge my son to read, the sooner the better. It is a good read for everyone but I especially think it has great value to young persons coming out of high school; they will gain wisdom beyond their years. What do good-character people from two different cultures do when their world is falling apart, in Viet Nam in the 60s and 70s? The answer is in the book.”

“A historical love story which totally changed my perspective of the Vietnam War. . . . Read this book, it will touch you in a marvelous way.”

It’s words like these that spur me on to continue writing, so once again, thank you all for your heartfelt feedback. I do hope you’ll keep sharing your thoughts with me. Have a fantastic weekend!