I suppose there may be some writers out there who are extroverted though most I’ve met claim not to be. Personally, I am highly introverted. There’s not much I love more than being at home with my books, writing and music – and yes sometimes a Netflix binge - other than hanging out with my daughter.

There are slow, steady signs out there that the world is trying to understand introverts a bit better. This doesn’t mean, however, that we should use it as an excuse to isolate ourselves, or to refrain from reaching out to make connections with others.

Writing about what has caused my characters to set up emotional boundaries and then figuring out what will help those boundaries to start being deconstructed always makes me take a long, hard look at myself and what I may need to change, especially if I want to be a good ambassador for Christ in my writing.

While writing A Child to Bind Them, I was once again confronted with the fact that I cannot truthfully, or even adequately, write about characters who have genuine questions about their faith, who are taking chances, who are discovering new things about themselves and others, if I don’t experience some of that myself. Yes, writers have imagination, but that can only take us so far.

When I wrote my first book for Love Inspired, one of the notes I got from my editor was, “Your characters spend a lot of time sitting around drinking coffee. Get them out doing something!” I still smile when I think about that, but it’s so true! I’m sure that no one wants to read a book where the characters enjoy staying at home and watching television.

Aubrey, the heroine in my latest book, has struggled to make connections with people because her past and a rather transient lifestyle has made that difficult. As I started to think about ways that she could realistically take steps to change this, to start building trust while still staying true to her character, I begin to think of the groups of people I am grateful for that help me do the same, such as the monthly women’s Bible and Christian book study group at the church I attend. Fun fact: I included the group in this book’s dedications.

Introvert or extrovert, as Christians, we are called to care for others, to form communities and make genuine, caring bonds with others. So, just as my characters must take chances and reach out, I realize that I do too.

I am so grateful to all the readers out there who appreciate the Love Inspired stories. I have no way of knowing what is going on in the lives of everyone but, being human, I can imagine there is a mix of joys and sorrows, some may be facing huge challenges, while others are finding reasons to celebrate, and, of course, there are those countless mundane days in between that we are all getting through, putting one foot in front of the other.

Thinking about all of this makes me think about what I would want readers to take away from this story:

First and foremost, God loves you, He “gets” you and He wants to help you become the best you possible, but He still wants you to be YOU.

Although characters experience growth and change during a book, I always try to make sure that each of them is falling in love with the true core of the other person and that no one has to pretend to be someone he or she is not.

I would want readers to remember that life is ever-changing. I’ve heard it said that the three happiest and saddest words spoken are “Nothing lasts forever.” But, with every change, there is a new opportunity to reach out, to meet new people and to have experiences we might never have thought of.

At the beginning of my book, the hero is hopeful for a new start but falling in love isn’t even on his radar, while the heroine has almost completely resigned herself to her current lifestyle. Well, since this is a romance, we know that they will both be (happily) proven wrong.

As I take my characters through their journeys, I like to think about where I am in life, what my faith means to me and how I can best share that, and I also pray that my books encourage readers to think about their own journeys.

Thank you for having me as a guest on your blog today! 

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Until next time, may your reading bring both light and encouragement.

Happy reading!
~ Danielle.