Writing...

When I dated my first boyfriend, I started writing "letters" or "notes" to him. While sitting outside overlooking the view at my parents house one day, my dad came up behind me and said, "Rachel, don't ever write anything you don't want anyone else to see". Every time I have written anything after that, I've always heard those words in my head.

I've always kept a journal but, I've never let anyone read my journals. It is so strange writing in my blog like a journal yet, everyone and anyone can read it. The amazing thing about writing is that words are so powerful. When I read something, I feel as if I'm right there on the page. I feel what the writer feels. My mood is set by the tone of the paragraphs. I empathize with whom the writer is portraying.

How can I, as the reader, feel so many emotions in one book? One of my favorite authors is Francine Rivers. So many people have told me that I have to read "Redeeming Love" by Francine Rivers. I have read several of her books, my favorite thus far being "Atonement Child" (which I highly recommend). Anyway... I decided the other day to read-yes you guessed it- "Redeeming Love". As I am about a quarter of the way through the book, I wonder what all the fuss was about. This leaves me with many questions in my mind...

What makes a book great?
Will the next chapter of this book be the chapter that makes me love it?
When I'm through with the novel, will I only then understand the fullness of it's greatness?

These questions are another glimpse at what intrigues me with writing. Until the poem, paragraph, page, or novel is done, I can never understand the full content. The statement, "You can't judge a book by it's cover" is true in many ways.

For all of you "Redeeming Love" fanatics out there.... I will give you the benefit of the doubt. I will continue reading. I will not stop just because it isn't my favorite book so far. I will continue to write my blogs with updates about "Redeeming Love" and let everyone know how I truly feel when the novel is read, and the feelings/moods/empathizing are over; only then can I get the true vision of the novel I read.