Today we continue our series of Novel Matters introductions. Please give a warm welcome to the lovely Kathleen Popa.
Her latest novel, The Feast of St. Bertie, is a banquet of words. You can read the first chapter here and view the book trailer on Kathleen’s website.
Her wealth is only an obstacle. Roberta Denys has a lifelong dream, to live a simple, devout life like Theresa of Ãvila, or Julian of Norwich.
Newly widowed, she thinks it will be simple now to give her money to the poor and exchange her affluent Silicon Valley lifestyle for the poverty and solitude of an abandoned shack in the Santa Cruz Mountains of California.
But a lost son and a series of arson fires leave her holding the pieces of a life she never knew was broken. Can she find both God and her son? Is it possible to find one without the other?
Can you share one odd writing habit that you have?
I want to know what my character does with her body in a particular scene. So I put myself in her skin: think her thoughts, feel her emotions. Soon I find myself pounding my head with both fists and moaning incoherently. I stop just long enough to type, “Hermionie pounded her head with both fists, and moaned a wordless lament.” Then it’s back to the head pounding till Hermionie raises her eyes to the face of her beloved. You can see why writing must, for me, be a private business, best done with the door closed. Locked, in fact.
Afterward I did a little reading in the works of Theresa of Ãvila, Brother Lawrence, the Desert Fathers and others. I was struck by the way so many of them had given up great wealth and position in order to live lives of poverty and devotion, so that they could better know and please God. The idea was no less wondrous to me than the aforementioned mysterious oceanic event.
Things like that, with no obvious connections to each other, began to weave themselves into characters, and those characters began to whisper one word, and that word was “wonder.” We’re back to the tics and spasms again. I would go around muttering, It’s all about wonder, you see? And people would take my arm, ask me to leave their smoke filled cafe’s, go home and get some rest.
Then once I got home, I’d start to ask myself, What if a well-heeled woman who likes her comforts decides she’s going to give everything to the poor and move into a hovel someplace in order to find God? Will she get to keep her cell phone? And what if life gets in the way? What if it really, really, really gets in the way?
You ask an interesting question: how does that impact my writing? When I think of it, most of my best ideas come to me when I’m out of town, out in the wide spaces. And the quiet feeling I try for when I sit down to write is much the same as what I feel out there, leaning on the hood of my car.
All of the authors on Novel Matters, and so many others have taught me that the best stories, the ones with the power to touch a reader deeply, will cause their authors pain in the writing. There’s something holy about that to me, that authors are willing to revisit their own suffering in order to offer some little bit of healing to someone they may never meet.
I’m writing about a timid single mom whose nine-year-old daughter filled out the family tree assignment from school with people like Pocahontas, Mother Teresa, and Pippi Longstockings – all women, no men, all because as far as she knows, she has no family but her mom. So the mother finds a way to stand up to her ex-husband’s dysfunctional family, to rescue his eccentric uncle from an early retirement in a nursing home on the one hand, and an early grave on the other. In the process, she establishes for her daughter – and herself – a loving family they can make their own.
If you’d like to win a copy of The Feast of St. Bertie, just leave a comment on this post telling us about something you’ve given up in your life, whether it be smoking, bell bottoms, or God forbid, chocolate. We’ll choose the winner on Monday.
Nice interview, Katy (though you made me cry). I love how the ladies of SheReads are being so nice to us! They do such a wonderful job with this blog. Whoever the fortunate winner of The Feast of St. Bertie is will love it. LOVE it.
i am loving this site and all the new authors you are leaading me too!!
I gave up most sugar and white flour when I found out I have diabetes. (Though I’ve found that “just a bite” of my husband’s goes a long way toward helping me stick to my dietary changes!
I have given up TV for the last 7 years. I found it was a temptation for me to fritter away time. Also, I have found it has increased the time I have to spend with my family.
julesreffner(at)gmail(dot)com
Katie, I think you have your finger on the pulse of a deep need that readers have: for a return to a more authentic, personally-involved Christianity. I think that’s what the interest in Amish novels shows, too — a desire to pare away the unnecessaries and get to the core of faith
One thing I love about your novels is that very sense of wonder and awe, the childlike heart you have which shows on every page. Jesus loves you, this I know: Because you come to Him like a little child, and teach us how to do that too.
I have always loved reading, and in the past few years I’ve been reading Christian novels exclusively – how fortunate for those of us who enjoy reading to have so many talented Christian authors! I’ve never read any of your books, but this one intrigues me. Thank you, SHE READS, for introducing us to such wonderful writers!
The novel, The Feast of St. Bertie, sounds like a very deep read and one where you contemplate what the Lord is asking of you to give up in order to know Him in a deeper way. I find that I have given up friendships with others who are not walking with Christ as a loss that hurts but makes me realize that the only life worth living is with those who are abandoned to our Lord.
Opps, forgot to say what I’ve given up ———– sugar and coffee. I finally got the message that taking care of my body is a spiritual discipline! It’s been over a month and I’m still alive to tell about it —amazing!
Latayne and Sharon stole all my words! Katy, I can’t wait for the winner of this giveaway to dig into your fantastic novel. She will enjoy a true feast!
I was having trouble thinking of something I’ve given up, other than the glass of wine I sometimes have at night. And I broke down the other day and bought a bottle, so that doesn’t count any more. And then I read about the person who gave up white sugar and flour because she has diabetes. I’ve given up peanuts, VERY reluctantly. I LOVE peanuts. But the last time I had some gooey natural peanut butter, just scooped out of the jar, I had puffy eyes and my lips blew up. I went to the doctor, who prescribed an EpiPen, one of those things you jab yourself with in case you have such an allergic reaction you can’t breathe. I’m going to an allergist to see if that’s really the culprit, but in the meantime having it prescribed scared me so much I read labels to make sure what I’m eating doesn’t have nuts!
I’m not very good at giving things up. It took me forever to quit smoking. In that case, it was more about doing it for my young children, who never saw me smoke and don’t smoke now as young adults. But I was never very good at giving up something as a way to get closer to God. As a child, I’m not sure I was ever good at resisting the lure of chocolate during Lent. I’m interested in seeing how it works for Roberta!
I gave up living a mile from Disneyland to live in a very small town in Northeast Indiana. I miss driving by Disneyland every day and going whenever I wanted to…I am a big fan of THE MOUSE (Mickey)….but I moved to Indiana to marry my husband so I got the better part of the deal.
Great cover on The Feast of Saint Bertie…love the pomegrante. I would love to be entered into your drawing. Thank you for the opportunity.
Smiles & Blessings,
Cindy W.
countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com
Such great comments here! It’s a pleasure to meet the SheReads readers. Carlene and Kathy, I’m honored that you plan to read St. Bertie.
Sharon, Latayne and Bonnie – aw shucks. Thanks ladies.
Voni, I’m talking to myself about sugar and white flour, too. More and more I even listen to myself and go for the whole grains and broccoli. I have actually stopped eating chocolate that isn’t Fair Trade. That means I eat much less than I used to.
Just don’t take my coffee pot.
A few year ago I felt called to leave my management position to stay at home for a while with my kids and foster kids. This started a complete lifestyle change for my family. Although at this point, I have returned to work and we no longer do foster care. I no longer bring work home. I enjoy time with my kids and realize that they are growing fastest than I can believe.
Most recently, as I returned to the workforce the beginning of this year, I gave up all soda and caffeine. The only caffeine I have now is if we go out to eat, I’ll occasionally grab an iced tea.
This book sounds truly interesting to me. I have often longed to be willing to walk away from all my earthly things just to spend time helping others and growing in my relationship with the Lord. Leaving my position a few years ago helped me realize how much less we can truly live with. Although, I’ve made mistakes and taken a few twists and bumps in the road along the way, my current relationship with the Lord and with my family is stronger than it has ever been.
I would be truly honored to read this book and pass it on once I have read it.
Thanks for your time.
Living in Christ’s Love,
Jessica
I’ve given up soda and I don’t miss it!!
~Amy
Katy’s books are wonderful! Deep, inspiring and entertaining, all at the same time. I can’t wait for her next one!
a wonderful interview…this book is on my ‘wish list’. i, too, gave up ‘soda pop.’
Love this site…just need more time to read all the wonderful books I am finding on here! I gave up a full-time nursing career in obedience to God telling me I needed to be in Women’s Ministry. I have not missed it at all and I am learning more about God’s ways daily!
After reading these two chapters, I’m yearning for read more! Hopefully I’ll win!
My husband and I had been working in full-time ministry with high school students for many years. We were about to move to a new state, my husband was going to start school, we were leaving full-time ministry and I was expecting our third baby. At the prompting of the Lord, and the encouragement of a wise mentor, I was going to “give up” ministry for a year. The year proved to be a good time of renewal,rest, and refreshment. Thankfully, the Lord has graciously provided numerous opportunities to minister in various capacities since then.
Jessica, I applaud the choices you have made for your family. I made similar choices years ago, and I’m glad I did. Andie, you too. It’s inspiring to see women making radical changes in favor of the things they value most.
Debby, I’m so glad you gave up smoking, and that your kids never picked it up. As to the chocolate, try the Fair Trade thing.
And all of you who have given up things you love for dietary reasons, good for you too. I don’t know if it’s really true that in heaven, Hostess Cupcakes will be good for you, but I’ve thought of dropping it in the suggestion box from time to time.
Thank you, Debbie, for your kind words.
Happy Easter, everyone. He is Risen.
I gave up nasal spray. I used it for 20 years and couldn’t go without it. I panicked when I would run out and couldn’t find the brand that I used. One day God gave me a big push, I couldn’t find the brand anywhere. God had been on me, along with my husband, for years to quit and I didn’t. Now I had to quit or try another brand. Well I decided since God was with me and my husband I would quit. I asked God to help and he did. It took awhile for me to get over feeling to see if I had my bottle in my pocket but I did. I have been free from it for 4 years now and it has been great. No more nasal/sinus problems due to using it and I am closed to my Lord now than I have ever been.
I gave up coffee about 14 years ago, but still love to smell a bag of coffee beans.
I’ve given up different things over the years that have stuck but the most recent was when my husband asked us to go on the road with him with his job. The kids and I travel with him and go home twice a year for a 2-3 months at a time. At first all I could think about were all the things we were giving up, activities we could no longer be involved in, friends we wouldn’t see on a regular basis. Instead God has blessed us with deeper relationships with in the family, pruned away the busyness of life and given us an appreciation for those who chose to maintain the friendships. Best of all, my relationship with God today is so much deeper than before, for He is all I have and all I really want. The rest is just icing on the cake.
Thank you so much for allowing us a glimpse into your heart. I look forward to reading your book.
Would love to read The Feast of St. Bertie! I have just finished a 7 week Daniel fast that my husband and I did together during Lent. I am in my late 50s and have NEVER successfully fasted for that long; it was a wonderful experience. I grew up on a farm, so to abstain from meats, dairy and sweets for so long was something I didn’t think I could do, but God truly met us there. Fasting is not about the food, but about getting more of God and less of us!
I have given up watching soap operas on TV. Being a stay at home mom, it was so easy to get caught up in these wordly stories, but I have been able to give them up (and I’m still a stay at home mom!).
I think this would be a neat book to read!
In my life, I think I have given up friends. Such a hard thing to hand over to God. But there have been a few times in my life where I just felt God nudging me saying, love this person from afar. Continue to pray and be there for them, but do not continue to be so close. When I did not listen I feel like it brought me so much heartache. When I did it was like a burden being lifted and that God was protecting me from hurt and pain. I am so greatful for a God who watches over me and asks me to give up what would hurt me in the end.
I have been sufficiently teased. I can’t wait to read this book!
I have had to give up my life. SIx months ago I had plans, I had life plans, and a timeline. I have always been a Christian but it was until about six months ago that God really got ahold of my heart. Now I have no plans, I had to give up my plans and my life to really appreciate my one true love. Now I follow his plans, many things have change in my life. I have had to let go of things that I never thought I could ever let go of. But he God has been so gracious and his plans are some much better than anything I could have imagine. Now I live in what God has planned for me, and I am happier than ever. I have joy I never thought I could feel. I have a comforter, a lover of my soul, and He only wants the best for. So I had to give up my life, to find my life
. The bible has never rung more true in my life. I had to die to live, I had to loose myself to find myself. Thank you Jesus for all you do in my life.
What a pleasure to read of the small and large sacrifices you’ve all made to live a life more fully given to the Lord. It was recently suggested to me that one of the purposes of giving something up (as in “no, I won’t drink coffee today) is to practice denying ourselves, so that when a really difficult choice comes up (as in “no, I won’t say what I want to say to this person who just angered me”) we will find it that much easier.
Thanks, all of you, for your wonderful comments.
Thanks for the opportunity to win this book. I am sure it will be an enjoyable and encouraging read.