Those of us who live in the frozen Northlands share an annual experience of coming out of our homes after a long, cold, dark winter, and wincing up at the bright orange orb in the sky and having to grow accustomed to warmth again. This year, I experienced something similar, but at the end of July. Attending an in-person readers retreat (Mississippi River Readers Retreat) was like a Minnesota gopher coming out of its burrow after a long, cold, dark winter, into the sun. Into the warmth of fellowship. Plus, it felt like quite an accomplishment to put on real clothes and talk to real live people. 😊
I was asked to be one of two keynote speakers (the second was talented author/agent Cynthia Ruchti). And since we are all readers here (even if we write, too) I thought I’d share just a little bit of my talk:
You all are Superhero(in)es—Super Readers, in long red capes with big Rs on your chests, because you are able to:
“READ faster than a speeding bullet.
WITH BRAINS more powerful than a locomotive.
Able to leap THROUGH TIME AND SPACE in a single flip of a page!”
I’ve always felt a little sorry for people who aren’t readers, but even more so after the last year and a half of shut downs and lock downs. I’m not trying to minimize what we’ve all been through (and are yet going through), but at least when readers are stuck at home, we have entertainment and hope and inspiration at our fingertips. Travel restrictions? Who says? We can travel anywhere we want through the pages of books.
Readers, we couldn’t do this without you—or at least we wouldn’t want to. You’ve probably heard the philosophical question: “If a tree falls in a forest, and there’s no one around to hear it, does it make a sound?” One might similarly ask: “If someone writes a book, but there’s no one around to read it, does it make any difference?”
I realize that in God’s economy, it still has value, but either way, I am sure glad we don’t have to ponder that question too long. I am so thankful for readers who enjoy the kinds of books we write. (And I’m sure all the authors here on Inspired by Life and Fiction would agree.)
I have met a few people over the years who think fiction is just fluff. But you get it. You superhero readers see the subtle threads of faith, and beads of hope and truth we attempt to weave into our novels. Your encouragement keeps us going and motivates us to write another book. I hope all of our books will continue to bless you—even a fraction of how much you bless us!
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Thank you and other wonderful authors for providing these books! During the worst parts of the pandemic, I never felt the need to go out of my house. I could order food and supplies, and I always had my books.
I am about to finish A Castaway in Cornwall, which keeps me current with your books. Also, through this blog I have become more informed about Christian literature and authors. Over the past 5 years, I have found myself turning more toward Christian fiction as a first choice in my reading life. Glad you enjoyed the retreat!
Thanks so much, Betty. Always a pleasure to hear from you.
I’m totally with you, Julie. With a book you can travel to every country in the world – even space – every time period (past, current or future) and a meet interesting characters. THANK YOU SO MUCH all our favorite authors for so many great books. You face so many solitary hours and hard work until the book is done. I hope you are as blessed as we the readers are. YOU ARE MAKING A BIG DIFFERENCE! God often speaks to me through fictional books so keep them coming 😃 and never believe it hasn’t any value even if you can see (hopefully the readers will reach out and tell you in person). Now I have to return to my superpower of reading 😉 but not sure which world I will plunge in today…
Love this. Thanks so much, Coco.
Yes, I am a Reader! Last week, I finished listening to the audio book of A Castaway in Cornwall–another excellent Christian historical novel by Julie Klaussen–which was the 92nd book I’ve read and/or listened to this year. I was able to travel both through time to another century and to other places–Cornwall and Jersey–without leaving the comfort of my home! Thanks for writing such authentic and intriguing Christian fiction!
Thank you, Martha. 92 books already! Very impressive.
I borrowed and read “A Castaway in Cornwall” from the library. It’s hard not to think of “Poldark” with the illicit smuggling on the coast at the time.
Look forward to your new novel releasing later this year! And thanks for sharing these photos from your writer’s retreat with us blog readers. 🙂
You are welcome, Elisa. And thank you! (I did not watch the latest Poldark series, although I saw a bit of the original 70s versions a long time ago.)