The CreateSpace copyeditor said this about Where Love Once Lived:
Clearly, Christians interested in light romance are the target audience. While I have read little Christian fiction prior to this work, the love story between Brian and Karen really drew me in, so the book could easily reach a broader audience as well. The manuscript almost had a Nicholas Sparks quality to it, yet left me feeling happy and fulfilled without all the tissues.
Looking back on this paragraph, I see it is a compliment to be compared to a writer of Nicholas Sparks standing, even with the word almost inserted as it is. However, when I first read it my reaction was, yes you do need tissues. I cry every time I read parts of the manuscript. I don't know if anyone else does or not. I'd like to know, but it's not something that's easy to ask someone, especially my male friends. They're going to say no. Perhaps it's because I know the characters so well. Or, am I such a good writer I can make readers feel a wide range of emotions. That's got to it.
Are you willing to admit you've gotten caught up in the lives of fictional characters to the point of tears?
One of my short stories, "Advent," always makes me cry when I read/revise it before sending it out again. The story traces humankind's longing for God, but,unfortunately it doesn't seem to have any effect on editors. It's been rejected seven times!
ReplyDeleteI also empathize with your desire to "show the love of God without being preachy." That's a very great challenge, but I think a few fantasy authors have achieved it. One that comes to mind is Connie Willis in her Hugo Award-winning The Doomsday Book, and the other Maria Doria Russell in The Sparrow, with its sequel Children of God.
Thanks, Vernie. Good to hear from you.
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