If you’ve read any of my books, you’ll know that I often have characters who have issues. Big issues. The kind that you and I have. And yet, despite those issues, my characters find love. I think that’s one of the reasons I write romance, to be honest. I want to create stories where people who are messed up as me–or even more messed up–find their happily ever after.
Often when I sit down to start a book, I have a general idea for the theme and the major issues that my characters have. It was no different when I opened up a fresh Word document to begin A Handful of Hope (book four in my Taste of Romance series.) I got about four chapters in…and it simply wasn’t gelling. I didn’t know what to do. Usually I can make it more than four chapters before I’m ready to throw in the towel. So I started praying about it. I didn’t like the answer I got. So I prayed some more, hoping for a different response. If anything, my conviction of what needed to be done grew stronger. And so, grudgingly, I went back to my novel and started tweaking.
What made it hard? My heroine, Jen, suffers from depression. Serious depression, not the “Oh, something bad happened and I’m sad” variety, but the clinical, nothing is really wrong and yet I feel like my life is worthless kind. That’s not usually a recipe for someone that people are going to flock to. Not in real life, at least. (I know this because, like Jen, depression is something with which I’m quite familiar.)
David, the hero, has his work cut out for him. Thankfully, his sister has struggled with depression, so he knows at least a tiny bit about what it takes to love someone who’s hurting in that particular way. But he still has to decide whether or not love is worth the effort. Because loving Jen takes a lot of work.
What’s been fascinating to me is seeing how God has put little reminders in my path of just how much the Church needs to see that the depressed are lovable, and how depression doesn’t need to be something that we force people to suffer with in silence. It shouldn’t be a source of shame. It isn’t an indication of a lack of faith. One of the things that I ran across was this video — it’s so worth your time.
At the end of the day, I’m very pleased with how the story came together (and once I stopped fighting it, the story came together very quickly.) I hope that readers will be able to identify and sympathize with Jen, even if sometimes she’s frustrating while she struggles with the lies that her depression makes her believe. And I hope that they’ll see in David the strength that it takes to love someone who struggles to love herself.
Here’s the blurb:
She wants to be worth loving.
Repeated heartbreak has convinced Jen Andrews she’s unlovable. When the groomsman she’s paired with at her best friend’s wedding shows interest, she wonders how long it will be before he realizes his mistake.
David Pak is ready to settle down with the right woman. After a disastrous first date with Jen, he’s determined to look elsewhere. But he’s haunted by the wounded look in her eyes.
How will David set aside his hesitations and see past Jen’s barriers to find love? And if he tries, will she let him?
You can pre-order A Handful of Hope for just $0.99. It’ll release May 17th and the price will go up to $2.99 then.
Jill Weatherholt says
It’s reassuring to know I’m not the only one with those “throw in the towel” moments. Congratulations on pushing through to the end Elizabeth. I look forward to reading Jen and David’s story.
dlw says
I look forward to your book. One of my daughter’s good friends has struggled with that issue. We keep praying and loving her though the victories and set backs. They’ve been friends for most of their life and she will be in my daughter’s wedding in the summer, exciting!
rcraig418 says
I can’t wait to read Jen and David’s story! Of course I have pre-ordered my book.
You are so right about depression and the grips it takes on people’s lives. I have never personally struggled with it, but I have a loved one who has. It is a horrible disease and I have felt so helpless just watching her suffer through it. I just go to God, pray, pray, pray, and pray some more. My loved one has been able to overcome so far, and I pray that she never goes back to that place. If someone has never been through it, or watched a loved one go through it, they have no idea how real it is.
Elizabeth Maddrey says
Thanks, Jill! I suspect it’s pretty common amongst writers :) hope you enjoy David and Jen.
Elizabeth Maddrey says
Congrats to your daughter on her wedding! I’m glad you’ve been a constant in love and prayer for her friend. Those kinds of people (who don’t give up in you) are hard to find.
Elizabeth Maddrey says
Thanks Rachelle! It is hard to watch, because there’s nothing purely tangible that can be done to help. Loving and praying for the person are really the biggest helps. Even when they don’t seem like they are.
Valerie Comer says
I’ve found sometimes God leads our characters through the journeys He wants US to take. Kudos for hanging in there, and I’m sure you felt God touch your own life through the journey. Also ((((hugs))))! And also, yes, preordered!
Ann Ellison says
I do enjoy Elizabeth’s books, and I am certainly looking forward to reading this one.
Elizabeth Maddrey says
Oh definitely God at work for me and, hopefully, others. :) and thanks!
Elizabeth Maddrey says
Thanks, Ann! I appreciate you!
juliejobe says
Thank you for “giving in to the Lord” and not “throwing in the towel” on your book. I agree that this is a topic that isn’t discussed much in the Christian realm. After my 5th pregnancy, I experienced some intense postpartum depression. It was scary and it was rough and difficult to overcome. It was really tough on my husband and family, but he patiently and steadfastly loved me and stood by me through it all. I think it helped when we finally started talking about it to each other and then when I began to share with others what I was going through. The Lord also gave me a verse to cling to which I did like I had never clung to anything before. He didn’t take me out of the situation at the time, but He brought me through it and I learned to rely on Him more.
Sally Bradley says
Sounds like a good book, Elizabeth!
Narelle Atkins says
Elizabeth, congrats on pushing through and finishing the story :) It’s not an easy topic to address, and I’m looking forward to reading it.
Elizabeth Maddrey says
What a fabulous story – I’m so glad your husband was there to support you and love you!
Elizabeth Maddrey says
Thanks, Sally.
Elizabeth Maddrey says
Thanks, Narelle!