The short answer to this question is: seven years of weekly writing sessions. But, the details about that time frame include: time to talk with each other over a good cup of tea; time off for children’s weddings and the births of grandchildren, time involved in the care of parents, and the time to grieve the death of a parent. But, through all of the happenings in their lives, the need to meet and create characters on paper has been strong for both Chris and Patty.