Years ago, I was reading Beverly Cleary’s classic, Ramona Forever, to my daughter when we met Howie’s Uncle Hobart. In that moment, I made the mental note that Hobart was an unfortunate name. A few days later, a character appeared in my mind with the words, “My name is Hobart Septavious of Finnegan. It’s a highly unfortunate name. I know.”
Hobart had a personality and that elusive thing writers call “voice” from the first day. And telling his story in The Legend of Hobart was some of the most enjoyable writing I’ve ever done. (It helped that he and his friends made me laugh a lot. And that I can’t help but root for an underdog.)
Happy Book Birthday, Hobart. I hope you bring as much enjoyment to your readers as you have to your author.