As authors, it's impossible not to insert those things that have influenced our lives - good or bad or whimsical or worrisome. If we don't pull from our life experiences, our words and stories tend to be less relatable. Whether romance or sci-fi or historical or thriller, somewhere within those words, there must be someone or something the reader can recognize in a personal way. Of course, that "something" might be different for many readers. The variety is endless.
Some novels are more confessionals than others. The author's passion shows up in multiple ways. Any intensity in a story - even in a comedic effort - must be heartfelt which makes it personal, emotional.
Reading novels that leave us unmoved about what we've just read is a failure - no matter how technically well-written.
Passion for the story starts with the heart of the author's investment in telling it.
Go deep. Get personal.
Father, apart from you, I can do nothing. Thank you for it all. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.