Awestruck Wonder
Two and a half years ago, when I was seeking inspiration for my current Sons of Scandal series, I stumbled on an article about the total eclipse of the sun that would be coming to areas of Maine (the setting of my series) in 2024. That caught my imagination right away. I did some research and decided to integrate a total eclipse into the overarching story of Fiona Camden (the mother of the first two books’ heroes). Fiona is a “point of view character” in the series. I have a secondary romance going for her + a family plot line in which she’s seeking forgiveness from her estranged sister Isobel, who she wronged decades before.
In Memory Lane and Rocky Road, we learn that Fiona and Isobel saw a total solar eclipse together when they were kids and were both completely amazed and overcome by it. They made a pinky promise to one another that they’d experience together the total eclipse coming to their home state of Maine decades in the future (when they’re in their late 50s and early 60s). Fiona makes it her goal to fulfill that pinky promise . . . if she can gain Isobel’s consent.
Which is what led a reader to tweet this past Monday, the day of the Great American Eclipse…
I told her that I’d answer that very question in my next novel! 🙂
Back when I chose to write about the solar eclipse in my books, I had no idea that the same path of totality that was going to fall over Maine was going to fall directly over my head, too, here in Dallas, Texas! I was delighted when I realized this a few months back. I’ve seen a lot of partial eclipses in my life, but I’ve never lived through a total eclipse. To be honest, I wouldn’t have traveled to go and see a total eclipse. But if it was happening OUTSIDE my door? Yes.
My husband was at work on Monday and the only child I have left at home was at school.
So, my only eclipse viewing companion was…
I wasn’t sure exactly where in the sky the sun would be positioned during the eclipse and because I have lots of mature trees in my front and back yard, I was hoping I’d have a decent sight line at home. As it happened, the sight line was absolutely perfect from my favorite chair on my deck, the chair where I sit and write every day when the weather allows.
The eclipse began more than an hour before it reached totality. At the start, hot sun was beating down on me. But as it neared totality, the light and heat dimmed. My string lights are set to illuminate at dusk and they flicked on.
It got darker and cooler.
I watched (through the glasses) as the moon completely covered the sun. In that instant, I was filled with a giant wave of awestruck wonder. I took my glasses off and gaped at the eclipse and also at my dark backyard around me. It gave me chills! It was supernatural. Phenomenal. How incredible, that God would make the sun 400 times bigger than the moon but also 400 times further away so that they’d align like that exactly?
As you’ll see in the below video I shot with my phone during the total eclipse, I’m talking in a reverential whisper (as if I was in a cathedral) because that’s what felt fitting. Also, please notice what happens the moment I mention the quiet. Ha ha!
The partial solar eclipses I was familiar with were nothing like this total eclipse. Now I understand why people travel to the path of totality. I want to experience that again! My husband, daughter, and son (who was also in the path of totality at his college in Arkansas) were similarly, unexpectedly blown away by this phenomenon.
And guess what scene I’m about to start writing? The solar eclipse scene in my book! Just days after living through an actual one. I knew my characters were going to view a total eclipse. But how very gracious of God to give me a front row seat to that very same thing.
Did you experience the eclipse on Monday? What was your reaction? Thoughts?
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So cool that at least three of the authors on Inspired by Life…and Fiction were in the path of totality. I loved hearing yours and D’Ann’s perspectives on the eclipse and it’s so cool that you have a scene in your novel depicting this!
Yes, I love that you two were also in the path of totality. It’s rare (and awesome) to experience something collectively with millions of others.
We had about 95 percent and it was still awesome. I love that it happened just before you write about it. We’re getting the background story next. Yay.
The timing–me seeing the eclipse immediately before writing about it–couldn’t have been more perfect. 🙂
Wasn’t it mesmerizing! I was so worried the cloud cover wouldn’t lift in time to witness the eclipse, but God parted them just at the right time. It’s something I’ll never forget! I can’t wait to read your eclipse scene.
I was worried about the clouds, too. But it worked out beautifully!
It was awesome and I don’t use that word lightly. I didn’t expect it to be as moved as I was. I saw it with several residents of my apartment complex and we were all amazed.
I live in Indianapolis and thought the hype was a little over the top, Ut I was wrong and it lived up to the hype.
“I didn’t expect it to be as moved as I was” DITTO!!!
I love that you got to experience it before you write the scene! Like you, i found it unexpectedly moving and awesome. That scene will be so rich in your book now!
“unexpectedly moving and awesome” Yes. Sometimes in life, the reality doesn’t meet up with our anticipation. But, for me, this was the opposite. It was way MORE than I’d expected.
My reading of Memory Lane has been a bit interrupted by my visitors to see the eclipse here in Austin! Even though I’m loving the story, pausing was worth it in order to see the eclipse with my son, daughter, all three grandchildren, and my one precious great granddaughter. Now I have my sister and her husband! I haven’t seen them is six months. Thank you, God, for allowing me all the experiences this week. It’s good to know Memory Lane will be waiting when things are back to normal.
Memory Lane will absolutely be ready to welcome you back when you’re able to return to it. How wonderful that you were able to experience the eclipse surrounded by family. 🙂
I love your hushed reverence in the video!!
It was SO COOL to be in the path of totality, as we were here in New Brunswick, just miles from where Fiona would see it!!!
Yes! You (in your eclipse glasses) could have waved to Fiona (in her eclipse glasses).
I am also listening to Memory Lane right now (thanks to your recent, generous gift to newsletter subscribers!❤️) and was pleasantly surprised to see the eclipse mentioned just as we were experiencing it! (Though I’m in Little Rock not Maine.)
The Lord’s power & splendor was definitely on display in an amazing way. I’m enjoying Memory Lane & have already bought the ebook of Rocky Road to keep the fun of the Camden boys going!
Thank you, Amy!! I’m happy to hear you’re enjoying Memory Lane and already have Rocky Road ready to go. I couldn’t agree more that the Lord’s power and splendor were on display through that eclipse.
I was also in the path of totality in an Indianapolis suburb, so my kids and grandkids from California and Chicago came to visit for the eclipse. It really was quite the event, and the weather was wonderful!
How wonderful that 1) you were able to experience that with visiting family and 2) that the weather was great. 🙂
I’ve tried to reply twice, and it hasn’t appeared.
Well that one came through, so let me try to add. I only saw the partial eclipse, but it was awesome.
Thanks for sharing your pictures, thoughts, and video.
You’re welcome, Betty! Thank you for being such a supportive reader of our posts here on the blog. 🙂
Wow…just wow! Our God never ceases to amaze me. His timing is exactly perfect and now I can’t wait to read this scene. What an absolutely loving gift from our Father! 🙌 ❤️
I was excited to have the opportunity to view the (partial here in Riverside) eclipse through borrowed glasses between my BSF leader’s meeting and our staff meeting. Again…God’s perfect timing and provision! ❤️ My friend, who pays a little closer attention to these things than I do (and traveled to be in the path of totality himself) said that Riverside experienced about 60% totality.
“Our God never ceases to amaze me.” YES! Amen.
My hubby and I got to watch the eclipse together in our backyard in Cleveland…my hubby who until we had our kidney transplant, was very ill. That alone nearly brought me to tears. But when it hit totality, it was like the earth took a breath and held it. It was so awe inspiring! I’m really glad you got to see it, and I know you’ll do that scene in your next book absolute justice.
“when it hit totality, it was like the earth took a breath and held it” TERI!!! That is the perfect way to describe what happened. I love that you were able to watch it with your husband following your kidney transplant.
The eclipse was just outstanding, and your novel made me all the more excited for it. Yes, now I understand why people travel to view it. It all makes sense. I’m so excited to read your next novel, Becky. ❤️
Traveling to totality now makes sense! 100% 🙂
We were not in the path of totality, but we were close. We were at about 96% covered. It just looked a little hazy & overcast, kind of a different light, & the temps dropped a few degrees. It’s so amazing how bright the sunlight still was with only four percent showing!!! It made us wish we’d driven a few hours to see totality, but it was still awesome to see. God’s creation is full of wonder & beauty!
*I loved your video! 😉
God’s creation is FULL of wonder and beauty! It was incredible to be grated such a mighty display of that very thing.
Our God is an awesome God! Thank you for sharing your pictures and video (haha on the kids breaking the quiet…”unless you become like little children…❤️). I live in Oregon and we experienced an eclipse back in August 2017, similar-on back deck with my kids roasting in the sun until we weren’t…we did not travel to area of total eclipse but did experience the “strange lights”—and our rooster crowed…The only other eclipse I’ve experienced was back in grade school with my little shoebox viewer and remember the “bite of cookie” shadow crowing larger and the street lights coming on.
It is wonderful that the Lord who orchestrates everything for the good of those who love Him, provided this opportunity for you so conveniently (!) before you write the scene with the eclipse! I can’t wait to read it. Read Memory Lane in nearly one swoosh, though I tried to slow down and savor it (certain scenes gifted laughter when I most needed it ❤️)
I had not realized you had been experiencing major challenges during its writing but thank you for your courage in sharing your story as both an inspiration and reminder. May God continue to bless you as you share your gift with others.
PS…any more novellas in the works?? (Selfish question, but inquiring minds….)
Theresa, thank you for this very kind and encouraging comment and for reading Memory Lane. Your words have blessed me today!
I don’t have plans for any more novellas at the moment but I definitely did enjoy writing the novellas I published. If God calls me to write another, I’d be glad to do so. 🙂
Becky isn’t amazing how our God works? Often confirming our calling in the mind blowing ways! I went home to where I was raised in Jonesboro, AR to experience the eclipse with my 83 year old mother. The way the shadows of the trees and leaves looked was so cool too! Blown away by the experience!