Deborah Cloninger

Hello, Mary,
I had hoped to write a pen and paper letter to you, but quickly realized mailing it would be the problem. Perhaps your publishers would send it on to you, but who really knows so I am resorting to email.

I’m an 82 year old woman with a long history of reading whatever I could get my hands on. My parents promoted reading and education for my sisters and me for which I am profoundly grateful.

My point in writing to you is to say thank you. You provide for me what Mary Stewart provided when I was in my 20s and 30s. I was stirring the soup and changing the diapers then and reading about the adventures of young women was a periodic escape from that. Now, I’m still stirring the soup and still enjoy reading fanciful stories of a different time and country. I think I’ve read most of your books, even your early efforts which I’ve enjoyed as well. Your writing has changed somewhat and is more nuanced, but your characters remain believable people in a challenging time for women.

Possibly best of all, your writing is impeccable. I studied English in college and so appreciate proper grammar. You never miss.

I hope you keep writing. I continue to scour for older stories and preorder the new ones.

Thank you so very much.

Sincerely,
Deborah Cloninger