A local book club read my novel, Every Window Filled with Light, and invited me to join them for the discussion. Unfortunately, I forgot to ask the group for a picture.  The conversation was engaging because of their enthusiasm for books. The last thing on my mind was capturing an image for my blog and social media. A publicist would scold me; however, I’m glad I forgot because now I can share a bit of the discussion and protect their anonymity.

Most of the women in the group are retired professionals, and I was a little intimidated as my friend (I’ll call her Sally) led me to the dining room. The leader of the group told me they’d been meeting for years, and as they shared the titles of a few of the books they’d read and discussed, my palms began to sweat.  These women are avid readers and take literature seriously.

One participant said she didn’t usually read Christian fiction books because she found the characters too wholesome, too clean. However, she said she was pleasantly surprised the characters in my novel were flawed, realistic, and had depth. The knot in my stomach relaxed a bit.

Another reader said my book reminded her of William Kent Krueger’s This Tender Land. I had to swallow a lump in my throat because Will Kent Krueger is an accomplished writer I admire. I’ve read his work but not had the privilege of enjoying the title mentioned. The setting of the book cited is the South during the Great Depression. I can’t wait to read it as I’m curious if I will see similarities.

The readers had many questions about the writing process. One person asked, “How do you start a new book?”

I don’t really know the answer to that question other than God gives me the stories. Each morning, as I sit at the computer, I have to begin with prayer. Most of the time, I have nothing to say, and so I ask God to tell me what he wants me to say.

Sometimes, the words flow. It’s almost as if someone is telling me a story, and I am just the typist. At other times, each word compares to sipping a Wendy’s Frosty through a paper straw. I eventually get there, but it takes time, prayer, and sweating it out as the story takes shape. When my characters end up in a corner with nowhere to turn, I have to rely on God to lead them to a resolution.

I was asked if I love writing, and it surprised me when I immediately said, “No.”

Writing is hard work and fills me with insecurity. I don’t enjoy the writing process. But what I do love is reading a story I’ve written that touches my heart. It amazes me. I’ve read Every Window Filled with Light too many times to count through the editing process, yet some scenes move me to tears every time I read them.  Perhaps, I’m a bit like Daddy, who was a farmer. No one likes to sweat in the sun hoeing weeds, but when you reap the harvest, it’s worth the long hours of toil.

There are life lessons in my stories of which I need to be reminded. Below are a couple of my favorite passages from Every Window Filled with Light. Minnie is talking to twelve-year-old Harley.

Minnie took off her glasses and cleaned them with a napkin. “You said it was important to stand up for yourself. I’m hoping you’ll learn to let Jesus stand up for you. He’s the real reason I’m free to choose my response in any situation. I’m free to choose happiness, no matter how I’m treated. I’m free to shield myself from hateful words and evil people. Their words cannot penetrate the armor of God. I’m free to choose to love my enemies, no matter what they do, and that, my friend, really irritates that ol’ devil. Thanks to Jesus Christ living in me, I am free.”

 “If you want to discover happiness, learn to ignore unpleasant people and forgive. Don’t let their dirt stick to you. Walk around it.” 

At the age of twenty, even thirty, I couldn’t have created characters with depth. I’d not yet waded through deep grief, nor worried about a daughter late coming home from a date or, or felt helpless as a family member battled drug addiction. Without these struggles, I wouldn’t have the ability to describe my characters’ deep emotional turmoil, growth, and overcoming. There will always be a thread of hope in the books I write, and my heroines will overcome because she will turn to God, and the folks of Weldon…they’ll always come running, when someone they love needs help.

Every trial I’ve endured is worth the pain because God has allowed me to use it in my writing. Several members of the book club and many anonymous reviewers said Every Window Filled with Light touched their hearts, and this humbles me. I am unworthy of praise, but God is worthy. I pray that everything I say and, do brings honor and glory to Him. It’s all about Him and His plan.

Have a wonderful week. Please let me know how I can pray for you.

Warm regards,

Shelia