Wow, can I tell you how hard it is to write that very first blog post?
Hard.
Hi. I’m Sally Bradley, new blogger here at Inspy Romance. I’m a recent debut author and thrilled to be joining this amazing group of writers and readers. Any place where it’s all about fiction and made-up people is okay with me. Right?
As a reader, nothing gives me more pleasure than to completely lose myself in a story, to immerse myself in characters who seem real and take me places I’ll never go, make me feel or experience things I’ll never know. As a writer, it’s pretty much the same.
What’s even better is when the reader and author connect. I love that, regardless of which one I am.
Over the years, I’ve been blessed by a handful of authors who ministered to me in some way. I remember reading a Terri Blackstock novel that ended with a note from her to the reader, a note reminding me that God had to be first in my life, even above her books. I needed that at the time, and her words convicted me. Motivated me to change.
Then there were Francine Rivers books through the nineties, books that gave me hope about my personal weaknesses, that showed that I could be bold despite being a quieter, reserved personality. Another novelist, Lawana Blackwell, replied to a letter I’d sent and we developed a bit of a friendship for a time.
Yes, we writers live in a fictional world, but the cool thing is that our fictional world can have an impact on our readers’ worlds. That’s something I take pretty seriously as a Christian writer. My personal goal is to entertain, keep you up into the wee hours of the morning (just kidding — not really), point you back to God, and make you think. I want my readers to be better off for the time spent with my characters.
Which takes us back to a new year. I don’t know where you fall on the resolution debate. I don’t typically make them, but the beginning of January naturally makes me look at where I’m personally weak. What areas spiritually do I need to work on? What areas in my writing do I need to improve? How am I going to get my rough draft written on time? And still read all the books I got for Christmas? While eating chocolate chip cookies and not gaining weight?
Sigh.
I’d love to hear from you, readers! What writer has made an impact on you? Who’s responded to you and you’ve found yourself better for it? And if you haven’t contacted an author, may I encourage you to do so? You’ll bless her, and odds are that she — or he –will bless you right back.
Sally Bradley writes big-city fiction with real issues and real hope. A Chicagoan since age five, Sally has been fascinated by all things Chicago (except for crime, politics, and traffic) for almost as long. She now lives in the Kansas City area with her family, but they get back to Chicago for important things -- like good pizza and a White Sox game. A freelance-fiction editor and former president of her writing chapter, Sally has won a handful of awards for Kept and another work-in-progress. Visit her online at sallybradley.com or on Facebook.
So glad to see you here, Sally! I’m with you on being impacted by Francine Rivers – her characters are some I still think of! I was never brave enough to contact an author when I was younger, but now I enjoy it. Wishing you the best with your first book and all those to follow.
I always meant to write Betsy Byars, but I don’t remember that I ever did. She’s getting close to 90 years old, now. I’ve visited her website a few times and to this day it hasn’t changed a bit. It’s so outdated, but so cozy and quaint; I absolutely love it.
I must not have ever read it, or about her, closely enough because I just learned today that her favorite of her books is The Midnight Fox, which is my favorite book of hers, too, and one of my favorite childhood books, period.
It seems she quit posting messages back in late 2011, but the penultimate message (in Nov. 2010) was about the release of two of her books in a foreign language, and one of them was The Midnight Fox in Korean, which was doubly lovely to see because I’m such a fan of Korea.
It’s probably not a coincidence that my favorite books of hers tend to be the ones where there’s a boy protagonist, e.g. The Midnight Fox, The 18th Emergency, The TV Kid, The Cartoonist. What is so special about her is the how perceptively, empathetically, and humorously she conveys the thought-life of those characters. Those stories not only entertained me, but made me feel comforted and not alone in what felt like the quirkinesses of the things I loved, or even feared.
Really lovely blog post, Sally. Congrats on the success so far, and thanks for sending me on a memory lane trip with my most-beloved childhood author.
Hi Sally–Yes, I know what you mean about writing that first post! So hard! :) Yours was a great one. My heart has been changed by so many books. Redeeming Love was one of them. I never connected with an author before I was an author. I also encourage it! God’s words come at the exact right time. :)
Welcome, Sally! What a wonderful first article. I won’t even try to answer your question with specific names because there have been so many. I’ve connected with several authors on Facebook and blogs, and most have answered. A lot of books I read impact me and touch on the place where I’m at on my journey. It seems like God always knows exactly which book to nudge me toward when I’m choosing the next one to devour. The messages seem to be precisely what I need.
My goal this year is to dig deeper with God, imitate Him more. It’s not really a resolution, since I don’t really believe those work. It’s more of a growing step in my life journey. I just joined the Siesta Scripture Memory Team that Beth Moore hosts every year. My friend invited me to join her on this wild and crazy adventure, and I was brave enough to say yes. If that doesn’t help me dig deeper and imitate God more, I’m not sure anything will.
So glad you’re here at Inspy! Happy new year, Sally.
Andrea
Proofreader/Writer
andrearenee2004@yahoo.com
writingtoinspire.blogspot.com
Stacy, thanks so much! I have to admit that I haven’t ever contacted Francine, but I might just do that soon. I bet a whole lot of us have been impacted by her.
Chris, thanks for sharing that. I’ll have to look up Betsy Byars since I’m not familiar with her. Isn’t it cool how we can really connect with an author like that? You know that if you met them, you’d probably get along fabulously. Other authors, not so much! Our tastes just don’t align. But that’s okay. There’s a good author fit out there for all of us. And probably more than one. :)
Lindi, I laugh now at how intimidated I was at the idea of contacting an author. They wouldn’t want to hear from me, right? And I did have one scenario where that certainly seemed to be the case.
But being the author now… I’d love to sit down with a fan and just talk through the book, get their take on it because we all bring our own baggage and perspective to each story. I know I’ve heard more than once how Kept impacted someone in ways I never imagined.
I do love that Christian fiction can entertain yet challenge us spiritually. I forgot to mention that I read Karen Ball’s The Breaking Point (an amazing, honest story about marriage as Christians) when marriage was hard. Completely changed me! I’m so thankful for that book.
And memorizing verses! That’s awesome, of course. I hope it’s a wonderful year for you, Andrea.
Very nice blog my newest author and Christian sister I have read KEPT and probably will again sometime down the road, I was amazed at the amount of twist and turns but every one brought my blood pressure up a notch, do u have any idea how hard it is to put a book like yours down at work just when your at a good part? grrrrr. I,m a trucker at a factory that sets and waits a lot but when called there is no in a second it,s now, keep up the good work. you are loved !! from a Canadian friend (roy Bradley)
Roy, that’s music to my ears! Yes, there’s a ton that happens in that book. I always smile when someone tells me they’re halfway through and can’t put it down. So much happens in the second half! Thanks so much for your kind words. Sorry about the blood pressure. :)
Hi, Sally, and welcome to InspyRomance. I actually wrote to Karen Ball years ago when she was with Palisades, one of the first lines of contemporary Christian romances (with Lisa Tawn Bergren). Karen wrote a very heartfelt, personal email to me, and I’ll never forget it. I actually had an early manuscript going the rounds with one of their editors, but then (you know the story), she went to another publisher and. . . I know authors who prefer not to have personal interaction with readers, but for me, there’s nothing like getting to know my readers–who they are, where they live, and what they like to read in a Christian romance. Yes, it’s affirmation, but I’m human and it’s nice to know there are readers who appreciate my characters and their stories. :) Many blessings to you and praying for inspiration for you in 2015!
Yes! It’s so nice to hear that all the hours of writing and rewriting paid off and connected with someone else. Karen Ball is so great! We both worked at the same publisher years and years ago, but I was a shy college grad and she was the big-name editor. I’d love to thank her in person someday for the way her book helped me.
Great post, Sally!
Madeline L’engle books really had an impact on me in teen years, but I don’t think I ever wrote to her. Now I have been able to see my daughters correspond with a couple of my author friends (Anne Elisabeth Stengl and CJ Darlington) and I will just say it refreshes THEIR hearts and the author’s hearts, I believe. Reader letters are definitely like water in the desert sometimes to authors. Just knowing you’ve made a difference to one reader, brought characters to life for them, is enough to keep you writing in those darker times. I’m thankful for all my author friendships, you among them! :)
Heather, thanks so much! Can I just tell you again how much I enjoyed God’s Daughter? ;) Yes, I do think it’s the rare author who won’t respond or doesn’t want to connect. Most of us–I would guess the vast majority of us–are thrilled to hear from readers.
Hi Sally, Welcome to Inspy Romance :) My early interactions with authors were via email when I joined writing groups. Their lovely welcome emails were very encouraging. I remember emailing one author about a book I loved and she replied seven or eight months later. It was a pleasant surprise because I’d figured my email was lost somewhere in either cyberspace or a spam filter.
Yes, sometimes technology fails us. :) So nice of her to still reply later, though. Thanks for the welcome, Narelle.
Hi, Sally! Excellent first post. So nice to “see” you here. I love Jan Karon’s Mitford books, particularly the characterization. I should tell her how much I enjoy her work, especially now that she’s written and released more at the request of her readers. I LOVE that. I’m sure A LOT of authors say this, but Catherine Marshall’s novel, Christy, truly inspired me to write in this genre. Finally, I’m thankful for technology and how it helps us connect. I admire Nicole Baart’s work and she’s so honest about her challenges and so humble about her talents. I’m looking forward to more posts (and more novels … no pressure) from you, Sally.
Catherine Marshall to Jan Karon to Nicole Baart! That’s quite a wide range of writing! Isn’t it cool how different types of book can touch us too? I’ve read some of all of their work. Good stuff.
As for the pressure… it’s there, isn’t it? I’m still in the early stages of book two, and starting a new book always intimidates the daylights out of me. So hearing that people are waiting for more actually encourages me. Thank you, Heidi!
Amazing first post!! The Left Behind Series impacted me the most personally. I had my Bible out alongside the novels the entire time I read. Any book that can inspire me to dig deep into God’s Word is powerful to me! I look forward to your next post!! Thank you!
Stephanie Connors, Author, Sew Sisters. http://www.stephanieconnors.org
Isn’t that the best? When our stories drive people to God and His Word? So cool, Stephanie! Thanks for sharing that.