It’s a question I think we’ve all wrestled with at some point in our lives.
Creatives (and I’ll be honest, that word makes me cringe a little, but I don’t think it’s unique to authors. I think it really does apply to everyone who creates in one way or another — up to and including having created a family) seem to struggle with it a little bit more. Maybe this is because our soul is out there on display in little bits and pieces when we share our work.
I know in my own life, I’ve had many periods where I have struggled with feeling not enough. It can be fun to delve into the psychology of birth order and personality type and enneagram and all the other things that are out there that people embrace to help us understand a little bit more about ourselves. And none of that is, I think, wrong. At least not on its own.
It can become a problem, though, if we let it steal our hearts and minds away from looking to the One who knows the true answer to all of life’s questions to give us guidance, reassurance, and completeness.
And it’s that quest that I look at my characters–my heroines in particular–and see across the board. They all struggle to feel that they’re enough. To believe that they are valuable “as is.”
And inevitably, as it does for us in real life, this leads to heartache.
The heroine of my most recent book, Her Billionaire Benefactor, is Wendy Hall. She’s the older sister, but she’s always felt as though her younger sister outshone her. Not necessarily in good ways, but even so, Wendy never felt like she had her parents’ attention. So she
strove to be perfect. To prove to them–to herself–that was enough. And so she married and had kids and stayed in her hometown and did everything she was supposed to do. And she had that perfect life. On the outside.
But her perfect life wasn’t actually perfect, and, in fact, it made her feel even more strongly that she couldn’t–wouldn’t–ever measure up.
And then, if you’ve read The Billionaire’s Nanny, you know she lost it all. (It’s kind of a spoiler, but it’s not huge for that story. Or for this one.) Her husband and kids were taken from her. Her life was nearly taken from her. And now, a year later, Wendy is struggling more than ever with the question, “Am I enough?”
There are other themes and other reasons Wendy and Preston have to grow and change as they find their way toward love. And this one might not be one that reaches out and smacks you on the head when you read the book — but I hope it’s one that, if you contemplate the story a little more, you see.
More than that, I hope that if this is something you struggle with in your own life, that you will hear me when I tell you yes. Yes, you are enough. Right now, exactly as you are, you are enough. Because you are the person God created you to be. You are uniquely positioned for the life that you have. Good or bad. Hard or easy. No matter what comes.
[I can’t actually think of a good question that really relates super well to all of the above (so yeah, bad blogging plan, Elizabeth. Ooops.) Instead, I’m going to invite your thoughts this way. Her Billionaire Benefactor, along with my Billionaire Next Door series, is written in alternating first person POV. I will honestly admit that for a long time I used to scoff at first person. But the more I read it, the more I loved it, and now it’s rapidly becoming a favorite. What are your thoughts on first vs third POV?]
Elizabeth Maddrey is a semi-reformed computer geek and homeschooling mother of two who lives in the suburbs of Washington D.C. When she isn’t writing, Elizabeth is a voracious consumer of books. She loves to write about Christians who struggle through their lives, dealing with sin and receiving God’s grace on their way to their own romantic happily ever after.
I enjoy reading first person POV especially from alternating character viewpoints.
Yay! I’m having so much more fun writing it than I thought was possible.
I like any POV as long as it’s done well and you’ve done first person well!
Hi Elizabeth! I enjoy reading both first & third person POV if they are written well. Not everyone can write first person well. Since you alternate chapters and identify person speaking I enjoy your stories! Stay warm and enjoy the weekend.
Thank you! I am definitely becoming a reader who cares less about the pov and more about the quality.
Thanks, Renate! I do find it super helpful when I’m reading to have the chapters identified with the pov so I definitely wanted to be sure I did that too.
Honestly, I just like to read. I’ve never really contemplated my thoughts on the POV of a story. I’ve read books where 1st or 3rd is great, and I’ve read books where 1st or 3rd was not great. I think it really boils down to the storyteller and the heart he/she has for the story being told. When you’re really into your storytelling the POV works regardless if it’s 1st or 3rd. That’s just my two cents. 😀
I like to read first person POV. It seems to always work in storytelling.
What a great perspective! Yes indeed:)
I am leaning this way more and more. For a long time I was kind of snobby about it. I have gotten over myself ;)
I don’t really consider it, rather if the book is well written is more important. Interesting that the article pertains to your heroines. A manager once told me he hired female staff because they always doubted if they could do the job because men just assumed they could do the job and the female staff wanted to prove it, guess there was an element of am i enough in his recruitment practices.
I like your stories, and other authors’, where the POV switches between the two main characters and is clearly labeled as to who is speaking :-) I get frustrated when I can’t tell who is talking! I’ve really enjoyed your billionaire stories (and wasn’t sure I would like them before I read the first one)!
That’s really fascinating re: hiring. I can believe it, sadly.
Yay! Thank you for giving them a try. I’m so glad you’re enjoying them.
I have not given this much thought. I like both forms, 1st person and 3rd, and also alternating. There have been times when I did not enjoy first person. Perhaps that is because it was not written well? I do a actually really like the alternating POV. I have read several of them in the last year or so.
I have your book, Her Billionaire Benefactor and am looking forward to reading is after I finish Valerie’s book.
I enjoy reading post because I struggle with being enough honestly lately . Thank for you reminding me that I Am Enough. O yeah , I don’t like billionaire stories but I will give yours a try because yours seems so different from the others.
Honestly, I prefer third person, but I really like your first person, so maybe it totally depends on how it’s written! And, I think it depends on the genre, too.
It’s such a struggle!
I hope you enjoy it!
There are definitely variables that can influence things!
Hi, I really like both styles, a good story is a good story anyway it is written. Have a great weekend. And yes, I agree, We Are All Enough. I enjoyed reading your post.
This is so true – a good story is all that matters.
Most of the books I used to read were written in third person, I think this was the standard for romance novels at one point? But I’ve read more in the past few years that use first person and I do like it if it’s done well – I think yours are very good, and Evangeline Kelly is another example of well written first person.
Like others here I like it to be clear who is talking – labelling the chapters is good, but when it’s well written like yours I find the different voices of the narrators are clear anyway.
I really enjoyed Her Billionaire Benefactor, Wendy’s story was so tragic in The Billionaire’s Nanny, it was lovely to see her story develop.
I think it’s still the standard, generally, but there are definitely more being written in first here and there.
I really like Evangeline’s books!
Thank you! I’m so glad you enjoyed Wendy’s story <3
depends how it’s written
Thanks for that reminder!
And hey, no one’s perfect, right? Not every post will have the perfect segue question, and that’s OK too. ;)
As for 1st vs 3rd POV, I don’t have a preference. As long as it’s right for the story and it’s well written, then I’m happy to go along for the ride. :)
I agree with Nicole :)
Definitely
Haha. Thanks. And yes, the story definitely is what matters.
:) indeed
I still prefer third person. It takes me a little bit to get use to first person. I also find sometimes I want to know what happened next but we go to the other person and I am on that’s right he/she isn’t there. If its written well like Her Billionaire Benefactor It doesn’t take time to adjust. If its not written well it is jarring and unless a really good story I will probably dnf.
I feel for Wendy. I know in my own mind I use to hear mum saying I was useless or wasting my time and would be able to cope without her etc. At that stage she never actually said it in words but I always felt she thought I was being lazy and wasting my time. It was when she was in the nursing home she actually said I would never be able to survive without her, I wouldn’t be able to pay my bills and she didn’t know how I would cope. I my mind I went I knew that was how you felt and all those thinkings hadn’t been of the mark. (At the time I was paying my bills and had been for years, I use to save up for holidays etc but in reality it was just another way of her controlling me)
You are right we are enough and we are what God created we really need to hold onto that and not listen to those who try to control us or tell us differently. But it isn’t always easy.
Hugs. It can be so hard to get rid of the negative voices in our heads.
Thanks. I saw a counselor after mum died for pain but she was able to help me see the issues were mum’s not mine. Her trying to make me reliant on her was because she was scared to be alone (due to trauma as a child). Once I could understand what she had done and that it was here insecurity I was able to forgive her (even if not to her face) and realise it wasn’t me it was her. I still have insecurities like we all do but understanding then being able to let go has been a huge help.
I like first person if it is written very well, but mostly I prefer third person.
In my opinion, it actually depends on the story. The story would dictate whether it should be first or third POV. Thank you for sharing. God bless you.
That’s fair. You’re definitely not alone in that preference.
That’s an interesting thought. I’d be curious to know what you think would push a story one way or the other?
I can’t remember if I’ve read any books with first person POV or not, but regardless, I would definitely be willing to give it a try.
I like it 😊
I’m with you on this one Nicole, exactly what I was thinking :).