Welcome to those stopping in from Bonnie’s devotion at Proverbs 31 Ministries! You picked a great day to visit. Not only are we going to introduce you to one of the most gifted writers around today, but we’re also going to give you the chance to win some really cool prizes.
Today’s grand prize winner will receive a copy of Bonnie Grove’s debut novel, Talking to the Dead as well as an iPod Nano, pre-loaded with the songs Bonnie listened to while writing. Four additional winners will each receive a copy of her novel. All you have to do enter is leave a comment on this post or sign up for the She Reads monthly newsletter. Winners will be chosen on Wednesday, November 18th.
Bonnie Grove started writing when her parents bought a typewriter, and she hasn’t stopped since. Trained in Christian Counseling, theology and psychology, she developed and wrote strength-based social programs for families at risk while landing articles and stories in anthologies. She is the author of the non-fiction Your Best You: Discovering and Developing the Strengths God Gave You; and Talking to the Dead.
Bonnie’s ministry has spanned decades and includes such varied activities as leading street drama, door to door evangelism, Divorce Care, Alpha and other compassionate care ministries. She is a small group leader of a women’s ministry group. Bonnie speaks to women’s groups about how to discover and use their strengths. Her husband, Steve, is the Senior Pastor of Louise Street Community Church of the Nazarene in Saskatchewan, Canada. They have two children, Benjamin and Heather.
Talking to the Dead Summary:
Twenty-something Kate Davis can’t seem to get this grieving widow thing right. She’s supposed to put on a brave face and get on with her life, right? Instead she’s camped out on her living room floor, unwashed, unkempt, and unable to sleep-because her husband Kevin keeps talking to her. Is she losing her mind?
Kate’s attempts to find the source of the voice she hears are both humorous and humiliating, as she turns first to an “eclectically spiritual” counselor, then a shrink with a bad toupee, a mean-spirited exorcist, and finally group therapy. There she meets Jack, the warmhearted, unconventional pastor of a ramshackle church, and at last the voice subsides. But when she stumbles upon a secret Kevin was keeping, Kate’s fragile hold on the present threatens to implode under the weight of the past and Kevin begins to shout.
Will the voice ever stop? Kate must confront her grief to find the grace to go on, in this tender, quirky story about second chances.
You can read the first chapter of Talking to the Dead here.
Those who love books will find a kindred spirit in Bonnie. So we couldn’t help but pin her down and persuade her to fill us in on what it looks like to live and write in her world:
Tell us about yourself:
I’m a Canadian – my family and I make our home in Saskatchewan. My husband, Steve, is the senior pastor of a Nazarene church and we have two children, a boy age 8, and a girl age 6. Before I embarked on a writing career, I developed and wrote social programming for families at risk, focusing on issues of addiction. Now a days, I use my training in counseling, psychology, and theology in my writing. We have a busy, happy life that keeps us all hopping.
What made you start writing?
Simply not knowing I shouldn’t, I suppose. I love stories. Want my full attention? Tell me a story. I’ll sit there, wrapped up in the world you create until you tell me “The end.” I suppose it’s a natural progression from story lover to storyteller, to writer. By the time I was in high school I was writing what I thought of as “emotionally complex” stuff. Then my parents bought a typewriter and I wanted to try it. I wrote a very bad romance novel my mother loved, and I’ve been pounding out ever improving prose ever since.
Why do you write?
Like many people, I’m creative. I can’t play piano, and I’m the absolute worst scrapbooker you’ve ever seen (which is a total bummer!)My creativity flows with concepts and communication – words. Writing comes naturally for me and is simply an expression of who I am acted out in the world – just like all other forms of creativity we encounter every day.
Do you put yourself into your books/characters?
Am I a character in my books? Nah. But characters are a creation of the writer, so yes, I’m *in* there. Bits and pieces of me, and my take on people. When you write fiction you talk to people, research, and explore the ideas and concepts you want to talk about in the book. But, at the end of the day, you choose which angle you will come from, which side of the issue, which voice needs to speak, and ultimately, how the story will end. On that level it’s all me. But in time the characters move and breathe and make choices too, and that’s when I take my hand off and say, “go.”
How important is faith in your books?
I’m a Christian first in my life, before anything else. I live from a Christian worldview and I write from one. The way I approach faith in my writing is that I’m privileged to contribute to the ongoing discussion about what it means to be human. For me that means also discussing what it means for humanity to encounter God.
What themes do you like to write about?
Grace. I’m endlessly fascinated by God’s grace and what it looks like in the world. How it enfolds us, how it chases us down, how it strips us bare and shows us our need. Everything I’ve ever written is an exploration of some facet of God’s grace.
Within that over arching theme, I also like to explore the idea of “life as journey” or “process” as opposed to a rigid set of ideas about what life is and what we should be doing.
Lastly, I asked my husband what he saw as a theme in my writing. He said that all my work explores some kind of loss. After we talked about that for awhile, we decided that what I love to explore is the things we hold on to, and believe are “ours”, but they never were really ours – and that moment when God asks us to let go.
What’s your biggest challenge in balancing writing time with your other responsibilities?
Knowing when to stop. Everyone who works from home understands the challenge of how to keep work and home life separate. During the workday it’s so easy to just run downstairs and throw on a load of laundry. And on the weekend it is tempting to pull myself away from the fun in the backyard with the children and just jot down an idea or two. . . or three.
Perhaps it’s just a matter of learning to love the blurred lines between work and rest, but I’m hoping to find a greater balance. Novel writing takes up large chunks of my brain. When I’m not writing, I’m thinking about the book. If I’m not thinking about the book, I think I should be thinking about the book.
I’m working on balance. I talk to my husband about it, I plan my days so I take extended breaks when my children come home from school – things like that.
Ask me in five years how it’s working!
Who is your favorite author and why?
In January I began blogging with five other authors on a blog called Novel Matters. We all write fiction, and as part of the process of getting to know each other, we exchanged books. I’m blessed to have read the works of Patti Hill, Sharon K. Souza, Kathleen Popa, Debbie Fuller Thomas, and Latayne C. Scott. These are gifted writers who have taught me so much about writing. I highly recommend all of their books.
Other standout books have been Francine Rivers’ The Mark of the Lion Series (love, love LOVE her books), Susan Messiner’s The Shape of Mercy, Joy Jordon Lake’s Blue Hole Back Home.
I read a great deal of non-fiction as well and have fallen for writers like Brennan Manning, Francis Chan.
What has God been teaching you lately?
A deeper sense of how my identity is found in Him. This spring I was pushing myself hard to meet a deadline – really relying on my own ideas and talents to push out a book. I exhausted myself. I was discouraged! But God’s grace tracked me down, soothed my soul and then He assured me that He was in control and I didn’t need to push or force anything. My job is to put my faith in Him, rest in His grace, and do the job He has put in front of me. Because at the end of the day – it’s about Him, His kingdom.
Got a question for Bonnie? Leave it in the comments section below, and you’ll automatically be entered to win!
If you are interested in Talking to the Dead, would you consider purchasing it from Proverbs 31 Ministries? All proceeds from book sales go to support this powerful women’s ministry.
About Ariel Lawhon
Ariel Lawhon is the co-founder of She Reads, novelist, blogger, and life-long reader. She lives in Texas with her husband and four young sons (aka The Wild Rumpus). Ariel believes that Story is the shortest distance to the human heart.
Bonnie, it is so nice to meet you through your Proverbs 31 message today and then through this website. Your words on the gift of silence are very helpful. I’d forgotten about Job’s friends doing that. I love good fiction too and look forward to reading your recommendations. My question is: how does one discipline oneself when ‘lost’ in a good story so that one’s other responsibilities, including getting a good night’s sleep, are not neglected? On a different note, I am happy to learn that you have the joy of two living children. I can empathize with the loss of your other children as our first baby lived only a few hours. We went on to have three wonderful children who are now in their twenties.
Eva from Nova Scotia
Dear Bonnie,
Your devotion article of today was quite intriguing to me. What a powerful tool we all have in our hands: listening ; be quiet and let God work/talk. Let Him do the work. I love the interview about how you cope with everyday life.
Next week when I’ll be in Miami I’ll rush to the bookstore and try to get a glance of the books of the different authors you recommend. I am very interested in christian literature right now. Before I buy a book I have to hold it in my hand and read some pages. It’s a ritual I love. I’m so glad with this blog. The world of christian literature is open to me. Thank you all so much and Bonnie keep doing the good work. Blessings for you and your family together with the family of proverbs 31 ministeries.
Lydia from curacao netherlands antilles
Thank you so much for posting on P31! I enjoy writing and have recently discovered my daughter’s interest in it as well. While I know it is not the focus of your posting, your comment about your writing career beginning with your parents giving you a typewriter was something we can identify with here at home. Thanks for putting out great Christian fiction!
Bonnie, this sounds like a wonderful book! I love reading fiction that tells a story in which God shows up. After reading, I take time to examine my life to see how God is working in me.
I enjoyed and appreciated your “Encouragement Today” devotional, “Being in the Stillness”. It truly touch my heart.
This was the first time I read your Introduction and about your ministry. Thank you, you truly have, not only a gift with the written word, but the ability to craft your story in a way God can apply it personally to your readers.
God’s Blessings,
Penny Bolton
Bonnie,
I so appreciated your comments about listening from the P31 devotional. I have been through many of my own struggles and I was challenged to consider silence not as awkward, but as the tool God can use to speak to us. Thank you for sharing!
Bonnie, I just read your devotion at Proverbs 31, beautiful. I have struggled for a week or so with ‘how’ to help those around me that are struggling so. I needed that simply reminder that when I can not ‘do’, I simply ‘be’. I have felt so helpless. So, now I will simply be there and listen, and remember that in itself is valuable as well and needed just as much. Thank you so much for sharing.
Intriguing . . . looks like a worthwhile read and something into which you put a lot of yourself.
Thank you so much Bonnie for that reminder of silence and listening. One thing I have to work so hard at and this was a wonderful reminder of the beauty found in that silence of truly listening to someone. I look forward to reading more of your writings and would love to win in the drawing!!!
Hi Bonnie,
Here is my question: Can you describe to me what it looks like when you actually sit down and get busy to write that first chapter or that first outline, scratching out on paper the beginning of what will eventually be the story?
What are you thinking , feeling? I guess I want you to paint a picture for me (with words, of course) of you in a productive writing state . I would really appreciate that.
Thanks, Dawn Paoletta
I am nearly speechless after reading the first chapter and your answers to the questions… wow! “…that moment that God asks us to let go… and then his grace chases us down, strips us bare, and shows us our need.” You put it so perfectly. I’ve lost so many people in my life that I feel like a professional funeral-attendant… But God’s infinite grace has washed over me far more times than I deserve and he’s blessed me to be able to use it in his service to others during their loss. I can’t wait to read this book. Thank you so much for sharing your gift. Abundant blessings to you and your Family.
I love to read and am amazed with those who can write such compelling novels. Looking forward to reading it!
I love the P31 article about listening. I love telling stories, reading stories, and listening to stories. At the last big story teller festival while I was listening to a really amazing lady share I noticed that she would pause, simply stop, while making eye contact with her audience. At first I thought “Oh, she forgot her story”, but then I realized it was a very intentional pause, a moment of silence, a listening………As I looked around I realized that it served to draw the listener in, to kind of pull you forward on your seat, mentally, to increase the anticipation of continuation of the story. I think silence does that in our time with God, HE waits for us to still…be drawn in, and hear the wisdom of HIS story.
*Hello fellow Canadian! God keep our Land. Have a “Timmies” for me today!*
Your book sounds very intriguing. The video clip caught my attention, but the music did creep me out a little… :]
Thanks for your Prov 31 devo Bonnie. I am blessed to work with Jr High students and they LOVE to share. I often feel I need to give input, direction or fix the problem. You have reminded me to listen, to be still, and to let the Holy Spirit speak to the situation!
Now I’m off to listen to the very kind lady who serves me the second best coffee in the world!
Thank you,
Far from home,
Living God’s Plan in Chicago
Hi, Bonnie! (It’s weird calling adults by their first names because I am a “new” adult lol.) I have always been a reader – from as early as I can remember, my mother used to take me to the library every two weeks, and I would check out a bagful of books and finish them before it was time to go back! Now that I am a busy adult, I hardly have any time to read, but I have recently been able to read at least a few pages a day. Since I have given my life to Christ in college, I have not read any fiction books because I didn’t really know of any that would be appropriate for Christians. However, writers such as you give Christians the opportunity to read fiction that can inspire. Thank you!
I read the first chapter of the book, and I almost cried! I just got married this year, and I can hardly think about losing my husband. What do you think about as you write on topics such as these, topics that would be difficult to face in your life? How do you keep yourself from being sad about these topics?
Thanks for “listening!” May God bless you!
Thank you so much for your post on the P31 site. What a great reminder that we don’t need to fill every waking moment with our voices, but to leave room for God’s voice to come through. The novel looks like an interesting read as well.
Blessings!
Wonderful post today! Encouraged me as a writer. And I can’t wait to read the book!
I have experienced the difficults of divorce and taked care 2 children by myself. I have experienced God’s grace and mercy through my life. It is so nice that you can comfort those people they have needs through what you have experienced. Hope we all can do it. Share our love and concern to other people.
God bless,
Maureen
LOVED the devotion! In my fast moving life, I need constant reminders to be still and and really listen….to God, to my husband, to my children, to my friends. Thanks for the timely remind straight from the Word.
Can’t wait to read your book!
Hi Bonnie! I enjoyed reading about you and getting to know you a little better. My question for you is how do you file or sort through all of those writing ideas that pop into your mind each day? I’ve been keeping a small notebook in my purse, but it seems all jumbled and unorganized. Any advice would be appreciated!
Prayers and blessings!
Rebecca
Hi Bonnie. It was so nice to read your post today. I am looking forward to reading your book! I love everything about books and writing however, I am not a writer myself! Just an avid reader!!
Thanks for sharing.
Jennifer
Hello~ I am so excited to have read you post. I love reading! I am always on the look out for books by authors I haven’t read before. I can’t wait to read the whole book. Thank you for sharing your gift with the world.
Blessings,
Megan
Bonnie, I thoroughly enjoyed your devotional today on listening. I am a chaplain and I find most of what I do is listening. Listening is the greatest act of love we can give someone, yet it is the hardest thing for us to do at times. Your piece resonated with my heart today and gave me a reminder to keep on listening. Thank you.
I can’t wait to read the book. She “She Reads” website is so helpful also. I enjoy getting suggestions to Christian books to read. It’s hard to find that information anywhere else.
Thanks again.
Your devotional was a timely reminder for me to listen and let others say what’s on their minds without jumping in with advice or comments.
In your interview you said “My job is to put my faith in Him, rest in His grace, and do the job He has put in front of me.” I hear that often but wonder what it really looks like. I often think it’s really me doing it in my own strength because I don’t really have a “picture” of what that looks or feels like. If anyone can paint a word picture of it for me I would love to hear it
Thank you for your devotion today. My husband and I took an early morning walk today and I was just telling him how sad I was about not being able to carry another baby. We have 2 boys and have always wanted a 3rd child. God used your devotion to remind me that others have experienced the same pain and made it through victorious.
The theme of being still and just listening was a great reminder to me as well. I do some lay counseling and need to be reminded that sometimes a good listener is all that a person needs to begin their healing process.
Thanks for writing…you’re touching lives!
I have always had my nose in a book for as long as I can possibly remember. But I haven’t read a fiction book in at least eight years. With six kids and ministry and my small business, reading is such a luxury. The plot summary has me intriqued since I have a dear friend who is approaching her one year mark as a widow. So glad to be introduced to the author through this forum!
Thank you Bonnie for this GREAT devotion this morning…without saying ‘too much’ this is a beautiful answer to prayer!
May you know He smiles on you today!
It was great to read your post today. So inspiring to read how you are using the gifts God has given you! Looking forward to reading your book!
Blessings,
Michelle
Bonnie, thank you for sharing your heart with God’s gift of writing. Your Words of Encouragement posting today was a confirmation of a similar experience I had years ago. My life has always been filled with “things to do”, and being a church musician, continually filled with goals to accomplish in the most excellent way possible. But I found during my “dark days”, that those who ministered to me most were those who simply listened to my grief. And the appreciation for silence in the midst of busy lives has grown through the years. We show the deepest love to those who have our undivided attention….we should offer nothing less to our Lord.
Hello Bonnie. Your book sounds very interesting. Reading is my favorite past time and I’m always looking for something new and different to add to my collection. I look forward to adding this one to my long list of books to read.
Well, I am almost speechless. (Almost
) I just received so much from reading this interview and the Encouragement for Today. As an aspiring writer and a lover of new and great things to read, I am excited to see here a new(to me) writer, and to find a list of other recommended reading. Currently, I am working at a very well known bookstore and am often overwhelmed by all that is available and is NOT edifying or encouraging. We do have an “inspirational” section and carry even some of the authors you mentioned here. I am grateful for that, but LONG for more of the books that offer LIFE and TRUTH. Sometimes, when I see the things that people select to read, it is all I can do to keep from grabbing them by the arm, steering them to the inspirational section and saying something like,”Please buy something that matters! Please don’t fill your soul with the vain and empty garbage you just brought up to the cash register!” I do however need the paycheck I receive each week and so cannot carryout the little fantasy I just shared. I do keep praying for the Lord to draw these people to Himself though…and to better books! I look forward to reading yours!
Sounds like a fascinating book–would be interested to read it. Thanks for giving us some insight.
What a wonderful devotion about listening…to God…to others. That has been on my mind a lot this year…be silent…know that I am God…listen. Thank you so much for sharing today! Godspeed!
Oh my, I need to read this book. The short part of Chapter one was intriguing and your interview touched something in me, especially your answer to the question on the themes you write on. I’ve recently been writing down a couple of stories that I’m convinced God must be putting in my head, as I’m not the person who has been writing since I was 10, and I feel so inadequate as a writer. I’ve much to learn and I know one way to learn is to read others writings. Would love to receive this book, but whether I do or not, it’s on my must read list. Thanks for providing the interview.
Wow, Bonnie this book sounds so good. I plan on purchasing soon! Can’t wait to read it. I have to say, I haven’t read any of your books so far- But plan on doing so. Francine Rivers is one of my favorites too – as well as Karen Kingsbury & Terri Blackstock. Thanks so much & God Bless.
Renea Harrin
Candler,NC
Bonnie – I felt like today’s devotion was meant for me. Sometimes, I think I get too caught up in doing/saying, instead of focusing on listening. Thanks so much. And, I can’t wait to read your newest book.
Hello Bonnie,
Your book looks interesting and it is something I think I would like to read. Unfortunately I cannot buy every book I want to read. Do you think libraries will carry it? Does that count as my question for the contest? I am an aspiring writer, with several ideas in my head. I’m struggling with the fear of moving forward with this and it is hard. I’ve actually started a book and outlined several others but my fears keep me from doing the work involved. I guess it is fear of working so hard and then failing, or working hard and actually succeeding, even the fear that I’m on the wrong track and writing is not for me, it’s just a dream. You know, I’m not smart enough or educated enough to actually do it.
Anyway, I’d love to be entered in the contest. I’m always looking for a chance to win a book!
Josey
Hi Bonnie,
I read your devotion on P31 and loved it especially as a constant reminder for me as I work for a ministry working with women from all over the county. They come in with hurts and loses that are so painful and this is so helpful for me to keep in mind that God speaks in the silences of our lives. I do not need to fill in the silence or try to fix their pain with my talk but to allow the Holy Spirit to comfort and speak to their hearts.
Thank you for the words to match what is in my heart.
Deb
Bonnie: I am looking forward to reading Talking to the Dead. I was wondering if you found the switch from non-fiction to fiction easy or difficult since the two are so different? Thanks!
Eva: Ah, the old “how do I balance the things I love with the things that need doing”. I sympathize! One way is to employ delayed gratification. Those wonderful times of getting lost in a story can be a reward you treat yourself with once you’ve completed some tasks that need doing. And every once in awhile, just let a few things slide and nestle in with a good book. Quiet alone time engaging in creativity (yes, reading is a creative act) is good for the soul.
And thank you for sharing your story about your children. It’s a blessing to hear.
Lydia: I’m excited for you! I too love to spend time at the bookstore. It’s like visiting with friends. I’m so glad to hear you have an interest in Christian fiction – there are so many great novels out there and wonderful authors to discover!
Lisa: Thanks for stopping in today! It’s wonderful to hear you and your daughter are interested in writing. Sharing that will be a wonderful way to further nurture both your relationship and your writing!
Shannon: I love how you said, “I take time to examine my life and see how God is working in me.” It’s wonderful to know fiction can serve that purpose in someone’s life. And it’s wonderful how God speaks to you so personally. Thank you for sharing!
Penny: Thank you so much for your kind words. They have touched my heart – blessings to you today, Penny.
Amy: Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts today – I’m privileged to hear I’ve played a small part in encouraging you. Praying God will speak through you to many who need to hear from Him.
Marie: Praise God for your caring heart, Marie. I’d love to hear how it goes for you as you let go of words and listen more deeply to the hurting people around you. May God use your willingness and compassion to bring healing.
Terry: Thanks so much for coming by today, and for your warm words.
Beth: Beauty in silence – it sounds paradoxical, but you are so right. Thank you for sharing those lovely thoughts with us!
Dawn: Thanks for asking! I’d love to say I’m so savvy I have this novel writing thing down to a science, but I don’t – and sometimes that can end up looking scattered and a bit harried. In general, it begins with an idea (often a single sentence) I turn over in my mind. I ask myself “What would it look like?” and “What if?” questions about the idea until (if I’m lucky) the idea swells and overflows my poor brain and I need to grab pencil and paper. I use my computer in the idea stage, I actually find it too confining – I like to be mobile, taking my ideas around the house, outside, upstairs, downstairs. I don’t worry about details at this stage – character names or sometimes even the setting – I just think pure story.
If I love the idea, find it compelling, find it won’t go away (lots of ideas pop up, seem great, then go away – so waiting to see if it sticks around is an important step), I begin to outline. Outlining means different things for different writers. There is no one “right” way to outline. I have a very open way of outlining the story, but I focus on character development, setting, subtext, and meaning in addition to plot. I do this in a journal. Each book I write has its own journal filled with my scrawling, ideas that lived and others that faded to the background. Once I am satisfied I have a real story, I’ll type up the outline on my computer. At this point, I like to get my editor involved, run it by her and she helps me fill in gaps and ask questions I hadn’t thought of.
Whew! Long answer! Thanks so much for asking, Dawn!
Wow Bonnie!!! The devotional today and chapter 1 really spoke to me because I too am a talker but since I’ve experienced grief before (11 years ago with the loss of my mother, which after 3 years of torment, drew me to God) and 2 years ago experiencing a miscarriage and 5 months later the loss of my father in law, I’ve become a listener. I can relate to your character also. This book feels so real, not like fiction. Many blessings to you and the P31 Team for the devotional and blog.
It was nice to read your message on Proverbs 31 ministries; I have particularly hard time with learning how to “silence” my mind. It always seems to go in a continual loop of worries and anxiousness, when I know in my heart that Jesus has all things in control. So, thank you for the advice I am sure it will be helpful to me.
Your new book sounds great, hope all goes well.
Kimberly
Looking forward to reading your book.
Thanks Bonnie for that devo this morning. It’s so funny you spoke about being silent. I am learning that listening asnd not speaking is the best policy. It allows you to hear God. Thank you!!
Bonnie–As a fellow Christian counselor, two scriptures came to mind after reading your P31 devotional. James 1:19 “…everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak….” and 2 Cor 1:3-4 “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.” Thanks for the reminder of who the actual Counselor is. In Him, Amy
Was glad to read the devotional today. I was encouraged to be a better listener after reading. Thank you for this devotional!
Nora: Thank you for sharing a part of your story with us today. God’s grace is our daily requirement in all circumstances. Thank you for the blessing!
Traci: Thanks so much for stopping by. I’d love to hear your reactions to Talking to the Dead!
Leslie: Wow – I would have loved to have listened to the woman storyteller. She sounds like a master. I too adore listening to stories. My earliest memories of my love for writing come from a love of listening to stories other people read to me or told. I agree with your thoughts about God speaking into our silence. He is always speaking.
Lara: I’m happy to have a Timmies for you! They very nicely built one not too far from my house – wasn’t that considerate of them?
(Between you and me – the music on the book trailer gave me the shivers the first time I heard it, but I’m thrilled with the great job the folks at David C. Cook did putting it together.)
Happy coffee, and happy listening!
K. Thomas: You are so sweet – I can tell just by your comment. Welcome to the world of Christian fiction – you are in for such a treat! There are so many wonderful Christian authors writing amazing books today.
Congrats on your recent marriage!
As to your question about how I keep from being sad when I write about difficult topics: It’s a good question. There are times writing gets emotional, no two ways about it. If you have a vision of a cool, collected author pouring out ideas with ease, I’m about to shatter that image – at least for me, writing emotional scenes is emotional. I cried several times while writing Talking to the Dead. There are passages I avoid reading in public at book signings because they still make me cry (some make me cry in a good way, too). I let it happen. It is part of the process, and I think it keeps things real. The feelings while I write, however, are not as poignant as emotions experienced “out there” – as they happen. I have times when I am writing and when I look up from the page I think, “Oh. It isn’t real.” Like waking from a vivid dream and needing to be reminded it was just a dream.
Sometimes I have to remind myself those lingering feelings are not mine, but belong to the characters I’m writing about.
Wow, your devotion really spoke to me to. “Listening is an act of love.” I’ve never thought of this. How we try to always “fix” things by offering our opinions but sometimes all we really need to do is listen. I love She Reads. I’m so happy to have all these wonderful recommendations for new books to read!