So. I've been asked, as I'm sure many authors have been, which of my novels is my favorite. One might think that's a fairly simple question. But it's not. In fact, it's every bit as difficult to answer as being asked which novel that I've read is my favorite. Ha!
All the "qualifiers" come out after that last inquiry. For example: Which genre? Because surely no one can expect just one answer to the "favorite" question. It's just not that simple. Ever.
Each novel that I've written at any given time can be my favorite or lumped together with a couple of others to occupy that temporary categorization. But, realistically, I can't answer that question. I'm not a prolific author. I began this second "career" rather late in life and went completely off the charts when after 8 1/2 years I produced my first novel (Hope of Glory), a comprehensive story of middle echelon Thoroughbred horse racing. Christian Fiction. That saga was 700+ pages in excess of 400,000 words. Is it my favorite? No. Yes. Sometimes. Not. You see how this goes.
We authors have to love what we write or why bother? I can't speak for the motivations of other authors, but I know for me I must love the characters and want to get deeper into their stories as they're revealed to me. They become my best friends. I hate saying goodbye to them, but there comes a time when they - and I - need to move on.
So, yeah, this Wednesday I'm wandering around "the favorite novel" topic and really, really love my new WIP. Sigh.
Father, thank you again for every story, every character, every word. Apart from you, I can do nothing. Thank you is never enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.