I think we can all agree that this year has been more than difficult for everyone. We’ve had to deal with the quarantine, adjust to educating our kids at home, and generally struggled to keep things normal when life is anything but.
I’ve read about some authors who have been able to take advantage of staying home and the quarantine by writing more books than normal.
Yeah, that’s not me – ha! In fact, I’ve gotten very little written in the last six months.
But those kind of writing difficulties isn’t what I’m referring to.
I’m talking about making the choice to write about a difficult topic – one that doesn’t come naturally. I’ve been struggling to write Marrying Emma, the next book in my Brides of Clearwater series. In fact, it was supposed to be written as the fourth book instead of Bonnie’s story. But every time I sat down to start it, I’d think about the topic, and find another book to work on.
Not because I wasn’t interested or invested. Quite the opposite, really. I hesitated because part of what Emma deals with in the book is pretty similar to how I’ve been feeling for a while.
You see, Emma has experienced many challenges and setbacks over the last couple of years, and it’s become difficult for her to see God’s hand in her life. Emma keeps waiting for Him to step in and fix things, or to do something drastic to change her situation. It takes someone from the outside to show her that, while she’s looking for one or two big examples of God’s love, she’s missing out on the dozens of little ones all around her.
I’ve come to realize that this is true in my life as well, especially when it comes to the health of our son. I keep looking for some answer that’s going to fix everything when I should be focusing on all of the little ways that God has improved our son’s life — and mine — over the course of the last 8-9 months.
I’m hoping that maybe, as I write Marrying Emma, she and I will both learn to spot those little things more frequently.
This isn’t the first time God’s used my writing, or a book someone else has written, to remind me of His love.
Have you read a book that’s made an impact on how you think about or view a situation?
~FREE Book~
You’ll meet Emma in Marrying Chrissy, the third book in the series. If you’re interested in reading the Brides of Clearwater, you can pick up the first book, Marrying Mandy, for FREE at all book retailers.
A marriage of convenience might be crazy… or an answer to both of their prayers.
Mandy Hudson swore she’d never marry. Abandoned by her parents and raised by her grandparents, she has a hard time trusting that real love will last. When her grandmother dies, Mandy’s shocked to discover a stipulation in the will. Considering marriage to her best friend may be the only way to keep her family’s beloved bed-and-breakfast.
The loss of his job threatens Preston Yarrow’s shaky financial stability. Besides, he can’t watch his best friend give up the only real home she’s ever known. Frustrated by Mandy’s stubborn refusal to let him help, he’s certain they are stronger together than they are apart.
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Mary Preston says
A lot of books have broadened my horizons and got me thinking.
Valerie Comer says
I’m happy to hear there’s another Brides of Clearwater in the works!
There’s so much value in watching and experiencing characters wrestle with some of the same things we readers do. It can be a subtle way of being challenged in our own faith, too.
Trudy says
I’ve learned many things from many different books, but one that’s stayed with me is the power of prayer by reading This Present Darkness by Frank Perretti. Evelyn Christiansen also had a great one, What Happens When Women Pray.
Linda R Orr says
That is why I like reading Christian Fiction. I can relate to faith-based characters and often find answers or help with a problem.
Melanie D Snitker says
That’s great! I have some that really made a difference in how I thought about subjects as well!
Melanie D Snitker says
So very true! I think it forces us to think through some of what we’re dealing with, or it can help us look at a problem in a different way than we might normally.
Melanie D Snitker says
Oh yes, Trudy! I haven’t read that book in so long – in fact, I think it might have been high school. It made such a huge impression on me. I need to read it again.
Melanie D Snitker says
I definitely find I relate to the characters more than I do with non-Christian fiction – at lest most of the time!
Lelia (Lucy) Reynolds says
I love Christian fiction as it encourages me not to give up hope.
Trixi says
I love Christian fiction because they always make an impact on me. I like to see how an author makes the characters go through difficulties because it helps me in my own faith walk. I find a lot of encouragement in them, and sometimes they help me with solutions as well.
Sandra says
Yes, This Present Darkness by Frank Perretti staying with me too. I have that one and another similar one by him. Also have What Happens When Women Pray. They are books that I keep.
denise says
I feel like I’m in a similar place.
Amy Perrault says
Now want to get all books
Melanie D Snitker says
And hope is so important, especially in times like we are all facing now.
Melanie D Snitker says
As an author, I love to hear that, Trixi. As a reader, I couldn’t agree more!
Melanie D Snitker says
Sending hugs your way! It’s helpful to know we aren’t alone.
Melanie D Snitker says
<3 <3 <3
Lincoln says
Melanie – Ain’t it the truth?! I struggle all the time with the loss of my health and job and even a sense of purpose. Nothing works the way it used to! And yet, I have seen God be such a faithful provider, often through other believers, friends who love us, family, even the seemingly humiliating means of medicaid and food stamps. The reality in my own life is that I have always had trust issues where God is concerned. What I am learning now is that those issues are tied to my desire to control my own circumstances, to keep myself “safe” from what I fear. Abba, on the other hand, seems to be pointing out the fact that even when the things I fear befall me, He is still utterly, and perhaps more significantly, lovingly faithful. His care for me and those I love is everywhere, even and especially when I am unhappy, overwhelmed and faithless. My two-dimensional, simplistic view of His care (Come on, Lord, the climb has been steep for a long time. Could we level off here a bit?) is being nurtured into a deeper, richer view of His grace. (My child, did you notice that I provided fresh air and healthy lungs for the climb?)
For me, it is sooooo easy to fall into the mindset of valuing my desires for a happiness where I don’t even know what I want, rather than agreeing with God that I have some weeds in my own garden that need pulling. Pulling weeds, God?! Really?! (eye roll aimed clearly at heaven). There is a great line from a Rich Mullins song that speaks to and about my heart so well:
“I’d rather fight You for something I don’t really want than take what You give that I need.”
As authors, I think it is hard to write about the struggles we face because we know that the happy ending we want to craft is the one we want and we know that God is saying “no” or “not yet” or “I have something better coming” to what we want. I have started to embrace the idea that I might not know what I’m talking about when it comes to my well-being. God really does have a corner on the whole omniscience, omnipresence and omnipotence thing. And what can really tick me off sometimes is that He has a sense of humor. A really sly, creative and in-your-face sense of humor. And His story ideas are better than mine. And usually less comfortable. Hmm, back to the God-being-God thing again.
So, my sister, you are not alone and our Heavenly Father is smiling. Even when our savior seems to be sleeping in the back of the boat.
Lincoln says
Oops, forgot the :) at the end. :)
Julie Arduini says
Melanie,
It never fails when I start a new book, the theme becomes my new journey. My current MS is about surrendering control and I was buzzing right along until September. There was a family emergency that is still playing itself out. I rarely know what state I’m going to be in or what news I may hear. I want so bad to fix it and take the reigns, but they are not mine to take. I know the personal experience will grow my writing, despite the delay I wasn’t counting on. I have to trust God was aware of the time frame, and will see us through.
I read your social media and know what a tough year this has been. I am praying for you all. May God bring a breakthrough that lasts for you all soon. (((hugs)))
Natalya Lakhno says
Once Upon a Christmas reminded me “how we only get to see something once. Every moment is unique and God-ordained for a purpose, and we often only get one moment to connect with someone to make a positive impact. No sunset is the same, and no interaction is the same. It’s about viewing life with the realization that you may never see this moment again.”