Connecting During Corona
How are you connecting with others during current shelter-at-home orders? As a writer, I am accustomed to working from home and sometimes not leaving my house for several days in a row, but after all these weeks, even this introvert is getting lonely and eager to reconnect with others, and I imagine you are as well.
Our pastor giving an excellent message.Like many of you, we are attending church online. The sermons are excellent, but except for a few people sharing comments or prayer requests, it’s not terribly interactive, and certainly not the same as greeting each other in person, singing together, or exchanging hugs. I miss that!
ACFW: Minnesota Christian Writers catching up online.I’ve attended several Zoom Meetings over the last few weeks:
Small Group Bible StudyAerobics ClassGirlfriends’ “Happy Hour”Writers Group Gathering
I’ve really enjoyed these opportunities to see dear faces, talk, and laugh together.
Laughing together as Erica Vetsch models her book-stack mask.I’m endeavoring to read scripture and pray more consistently. Amid all the uncertainty, it seems more important than ever to stay connected with our loving God, who knows all that’s happening in our lives and in our world.
I’m also thankful for the arrival of pleasant weather in Minnesota and the ability to walk outside. I find myself waving to passersby like never before (and am also enjoying listening to more audio books).
Tonight, I’ll be “attending” a Facebook bridal shower and soon after, the Minnesota Book Awards Ceremony online. Both new experiences and new ways to connect when we can’t gather in person.
I’ve heard of people meeting in driveways for “six-feet-apart” picnics. I think that’s one new idea I’d still like to try with friends. What about you? Any ideas to share with the rest of us?
Either way, I hope you are well and finding ways to connect with others!
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I love your books and you are such a cool person.
What inspired you to write your books?
Kadence, shortly after my husband and I married, we followed his job to the Caribbean island of Anguilla. Because of government restrictions, I couldn't work there. I'd been an avid reader all my life and, during that season, continued to read and read and read. One day, I thought, "I wonder if I could write a book?" I had an imagination, a computer, and lots of free time. So I sat down, and started writing. :)
I immediately fell in love with it! However, it took me four years and four manuscripts (and a flood of rejections) before I became proficient enough at the craft to publish a novel.
That is so cool, I'm so glad you continued to try even when you where rejected. I love your books so much that I even got two of my friends to read your books and they love. Falling for you is my favorite book in the Bradford sisters romance, Corbin is so nice and funny.
Thanks so much for telling your friends about my books! I'm delighted to hear that you love them. p.s. I'm a fan of Corbin's, too :)
How do you add emotion to your books to be able to make us readers truly feel what the characters are?
In order to add authentic emotion, I first have to know my characters very well. I have to understand their backstory, their dreams, their fears, their weaknesses. Then I put them on a path toward a goal and emotion follows organically as they face obstacles and grapple with conflict.
That makes more sense, when I try writing they always just seem like an essay so next I will try doing that. Thanks for the great advice!
