I put my nose to the grind. Let’s just say, this book took a lot out of me emotionally as well as physically. Some nights I couldn’t shut my mind down. Even though the story flowed through me, there was something holding back. I didn’t know until I was midway through the book what that was. But if I tell you, it will spoil the book. Let’s just say, if you read this book, send me a message when you figure out what it was.
I’ll give you a look into To Dance with Dragonflies without giving too much away. This book is a mix between inspirational, Christian, and contemporary romance. The main character, Kaity, is an introvert, just like me and so many other writers. She stays focused on the life around her, not really getting into everyday world events. She has a faith that is strong, but she feels something is missing. Her favorite place to be is lying in a field that is just below her house. That’s where she can get lost in her talks with God, and watch the dragonflies dance from one place to another.
Then in comes Derek, a billionaire that’s walking through life in a haze. He has anything he wants, but there’s something lacking in his life. And he knows he can’t buy it. His search leads him to Savannah, Georgia. It’s a beautiful old town with a lot to offer. That’s where he meets Kaity. She’s different from anyone he’s ever met and the feeling he has the first time he meets her, well, it’s magical.
I had to do a lot of research for this story, but you’ll get that once you read it. It will make Kaity question everything she’s ever believed in and test her faith to the limits. Life will take on a new meaning to both Kaity and Derek. Forever doesn’t seem to be in their future, but with faith and hope, they push forward. Derek won’t give up, even as Kaity decides to let this life go.
Ok, I’m stopping there, because I may give away too much. Needless to say, this wasn’t an easy story to write. Inside this story I had to face some demons of my own. Some of the story is centered around something that has taken many of my family and friends lives. It pulled at every part of my faith, my strength, and my resilience. But, in the end, I was able to get it published. It was powerful!
With this book, it took me a little longer than I’d anticipated. The emotional level that was reached in the book made me have to walk away from my laptop several times. A couple of times I had to get up and get my head back on straight. If you think a book you’re reading makes you cry, try writing one.
Here’s some advice before I leave you. When you are writing a book, if it doesn’t affect you in any way, then something needs to change. Your writing needs to come from your heart. In order to take the reader to another place, you need to make sure that they will have an emotional bond with the book. They need to feel every emotion alongside your characters. And if they don’t, then it’s just words on a page.
So, take time to laugh with all you heart, cry during a book or just sit quietly and watch a dragonfly just doing life. You never know where your next piece of inspiration will come from.
Stephanie picked up her first
romance novel in her early teens and fell in love. She began to pen stories in
notebooks in her teens and throughout her twenties. It was in 2012 when she
decided to publish her work and let the world in on her version of romance. Now
she has 50+ books published and many more in the works.
A busy woman, sheps an
accountant, children's minister, wife and mother. Her life may be busy, but
when she sits down at her laptop the world slips away and she goes into another
place. Sometimes it's a ranch full or horses, or back to the Civil War saving a
heroine, helping her find her love, but as always, she'll find romance even in
the most remote places.
All of her books are
clean, wholesome romances, some even dubbed as Christian romances. Her books
range from western, historical, time travel, Christian, and she might even
dabble in a little paranormal from time to time. https://twitter.com/StephanieHurt4
Stephanie,
ReplyDeleteThank you for being vulnerable and transparent in this article about what the writing process did to you. It is helpful to all of us who write--whether we write fiction or nonfiction. Each of us are on a journey with our writing life. You helped us see the road a little clearer. With gratitude,
Terry
author of 10 Publishing Myths, Insights Every Author Needs to Succeed
Stephanie thank you so much for sharing your dream with us in part 1 and part 2 today. I am always grateful to you for taking your time to post. You are the busiest person I know and yet you always find time to help others. Thank you
ReplyDeleteI so agree that writing has to come from the heart. Cheering you on as you write more heart-stories!
ReplyDelete