Some of the tried and true advice out there in the world is “write what you know.”
I’ll be honest, I’m not sure how much I believe in that as a statement, although I can make a case that what I don’t know, I can learn, and then I can write about it. And I do that. I think all writers are also good Googlers. (And other forms of research, of course, but man, I’m glad I write in the age of the Internet and search engines.)
That said, I have one series that is definitely based largely on my own life experience. It’s not one I tend to do a lot with, or talk about. Probably because it’s based so largely on my own experience. Some of the writing was cathartic. Some was fueled by a desire to help others understand even a glimmer of what it’s like. And the rest was because the story wouldn’t leave me alone, no matter how hard I tried to tell the characters to hush.
I don’t often mention my Remnants series here because I consider it women’s fiction. But Robin Merrill’s post last week about “married romance” — and the comments on that post — made me realize that maybe these books deserve a mention over here now and again after all.
Because for all that they’re women’s fiction, they are definitely also about struggling marriages, reconciliation, and restoration.
Oh, and also infertility.
Because, at least in my world, there is nothing that has challenged my marriage as much as our years of actively working to start a family. It’s the worse, the sickness, and the poorer of a couple’s marriage vows all rolled into one.
In Faith Departed, book one of the series, we meet twin sisters June and July (pronounced Julie). Both are married. Both are young professionals (as are their hubbies) and both are established enough in their lives that they’re ready to start a family.
And both are having trouble.
June can’t get pregnant. July can’t stay that way.
It’s hard, for both of them. And for their husbands. And so the couples are struggling to remember that they’re a team and that there was a reason they got married in the first place.
In Hope Deferred, book 2, the tears in their marriages are brought into the stark, harsh light. They’re looking for answers.
And they’re not finding any.
And they’re not seeing God in the midst of their pain.
And they’re living out the verse, “Hope deferred makes the heart sick” without remembering that God is the only one who can fulfill their longings (Proverbs 13:12).
Finally, in Love Defined (book 3), both couples return to God and return to one another. There are happy endings – although those happy endings don’t look the way either couple pictured them at the start of the series.
Isn’t that so often the way our lives go though? Proverbs again (16:9), “The heart of a man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.”
Sometimes, we have to take a long, hard look at our definitions of things in order to see where we are wrong and where God’s definitions truly are best. So often, we define love as romance. As tingly feelings and swoony kisses. And oh boy, I’m all about tingly feelings and swoony kisses! But that’s not all love is.
Marriage is where love puts on tire treads and goes off roading.
And that’s definitely what happens in these books.
As an author, I want to assure you that each book ends with a satisfying and happy-ish ending. No cliffhangers. And no brink of despair (although there are reviewers who complain that June is whiny. And maybe she is. I know when I was dealing with infertility, I was definitely whiny. And angry. And shaking my fist at God practically daring Him to come down and explain Himself to my face.)
So if you’re one who’s all about the “married romance,” maybe this series is for you!
Best of all? Book one, Faith Departed, is free through the 13th (and the series is in Kindle Unlimited if you’re a subscriber as well.)
Do you have a Bible verse that you turn to over and over when things get hard? I’d love for you to share it in the comments and how it speaks to you!
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 use to say „know what you write” instead, because I am writing historical fiction mostly. Everything is well researched, but for me it would be boring to write what I know instead of discovering new environments, new traditions, new historical events.
Ohhhh! I like know what you write so much better!
My go to scripture for EVERYTHING is Eccl 3:1-8. It fits every situation, and gives me hope, because I know whatever comes, it’s only for a season, and I don’t have to stay there! And, it reminds me that no matter what, God is there with me, in the midst of whatever season, and He will ALWAYS be there with me!
Such a great reminder!
Hi Elizabeth. Thanks for the freebie. Downloaded. Now to find time to read it. Been a terrific summer with lots of great freebies and discounted books offered by authors. In June I picked up 28 books – I also read cozy mysteries and historical fiction.
Since my teens my verse has been Romans 8:28: And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose. Helped applying to colleges, finding a mate, 30 years as pastor’s wife, 50 years as wife, through a house fire, being a mom and OMA and more. God is in control. Often followed by Phillippians 4: 6-7: Pray without ceasing.
Best wishes. Happy Writing. Enjoy your summer.
Love both of these. Pray without ceasing is such a necessary and good reminder for stressful days!
Jeremiah 29:11: “I know the plans I have for you…plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and hope.”
This verse always lifts my spirits when life just gets too hard.
Your post resonated with me deeply. I, too, struggled with fertility. I could get pregnant no problem, but I get really sick (to the point of death) at the 6 mos. mark and can’t carry a baby to term. We have our miracle daughter, and we’re good. Definitely know we’re blessed by God. But it was SO rough on my soul, my actual body, and my marriage. I am very glad we’re past that time. Looking back, I know God carried us through, but going through it felt like absolute misery.
Great verse! And big hugs – I definitely agree that I am grateful to be beyond the struggle. We were never given biological children, but we have two amazing boys through adoption and I see God’s fingerprints of family in them so clearly, I know they were always meant to be ours.
Thank you for sharing, both in this blog and in the series – I think like all things, reading about someone else dealing with something you are makes you feel less alone. I’ve not had anything like the heartache you and others have experienced, but have been through fertility struggles and losses that have meant the family I’ve been blessed with isn’t quite like the family I once naively planned for myself, but I know how blessed I have been to be where I am.
My verse is philippians 4 : 13, ‘I can do all things in Christ who strengthens me’, it has definitely been my guide getting through hard times.
So many great verses from the Apostle Paul!
And I think sometimes (for me at least), letting go of my vision of “perfect” in order to embrace God’s vision is the hardest. But so, so worthwhile.
Thank you so much for the free book. I hold on to Proverbs 3:5-6. I also repeat I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Thank you for sharing. God bless you.
I think Psalm 121 works for me I will lift my eyes unto the hills from where comes my help.
I think books with married couples if they are the focus are still romance. Sometimes its good to see what happens next.
Love these! I hope you enjoy the book :)
Love it!