Is now the time for another book?

At a time when it seems there is nothing we all agree on, it seems that everyone agrees that we are living in crazy times. It would be hard to find someone who did not consider 2020 to be one of the most difficult years of their lifetime. The beginning of 2021 feels difficult as well.

There are race issues bringing out the worst in some people, an inauguration coming up under the tensest of circumstances, a pandemic raging and economic upheaval.

Is now really a good time for a new book?

I don't mean a book of spiritual guidance, political analysis or financial advice. It seems we should really read a few good books like that.

But what about fiction? What about the novel, or short story? Do they have a place in turbulent times? Whether you are outlining, writing your first draft, or setting up to publish a story, the question must cross a writer's mind in early 2021: does fiction do any good right now?

That question was in my mind as early as last April, when The Jewelry of Grace was still in the earliest stages of editing. The longer the pandemic lasted, and the more people I saw lose jobs (or at least, portions of their income), the louder the question echoed. I had always intended on releasing The Jewelry of Grace in late January, figuring a few weeks before Valentine's Day was a good time to publish a romantic story. I stuck with that target date because I am, if nothing else, stubborn about such things.

But even then, I wondered if anyone would care about my story - or any story - with the world on fire.

Then I received some feedback from one of my Beta readers. After reading the prologue to my story, in which a once-successful father is forced to sell family heirlooms to keep a roof over his family's head, she told me that The Jewelry of Grace is very relatable to people going through economic adversity today. I may strike a nerve with many readers because I am releasing it now.

It was not my original intent. That opening scene was written long before I ever heard the term "COVID-19", but if I can give the reader something he or she can relate to in this moment, I've done my job as a writer.

And while I would never equate my work with that of Agatha Christie or C.S. Lewis, two writing giants of the 20th century, I am reminded of how their works flourished in their home country of England during World War II. The people of England, London especially, lived in fear of bombings every night. On the surface, it did not sound like a great time to be publishing mystery novels or reading portions of spiritual analysis. And yet, people turned to Christie's novels to escape, and listened to Lewis' "Mere Christianity" on the radio for hope.

Eighty years later, the writier and the reader are in a different situation, but can both come to the same conclusion.

There may be better or worse times for your story. But there is never a wrong time.

Next week: And the waiting begins...again