The idea for Mulberry 5-8024 began 30 years ago when I was in the middle of unearthing childhood pain and discovering myself. I would write a little and then not look at it for months. Then I would pick it back up and put it back down. And then life took a hard turn, and I had to focus on what was right in front of me. I continued to write in workshops and writing groups. This story followed me wherever I went. It was a constant presence. Until finally I stopped and wrote it all down. I slowly began to give it to friends and beta readers for feedback. I hired editors and went through dozens of re-writes. And then it sat on my laptop for years waiting for me to have the courage to let it go. Last fall a colleague asked me if she could read it. I gave it to her and when she read it, she said, “My mother had a childhood much like yours. This helped me understand her better.” I thought this is why I need to let this go. And then this happened – every time I woke up, the Rod Stewart song, I Don’t Want to Talk About It, would be on repeat inside my brain. Especially the part about listening to my heart. I would walk around my home and the words would burst out of me without conscious thought. This went on for weeks until I made the decision to publish. The next morning, I awoke to silence. My hope for you is that you listen to your heart and take your next best step. Read more about this authorRead less about this author