Every now and then it’s good to have someone tell you that what you pour your heart and soul into matters. I’d like to think that’s the case with The Shape of Mercy, which was named the 2009 Christian Book of the Year for Fiction by the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association last Thursday night.
I’d like to think this award is that kind of affirmation. The words that bled out of me during the intense months that I wrote this book seemed to have struck a chord and I am honored and awed.
The field of finalists is a talented bunch and I count such colleagues as Jerry Jenkins, Tim Downs, Ann Gabhart and Christa Parrish as amazing artists of the written word. They are passionate wordsmiths all.
When I accepted the award at the Dallas Convention Center last week, I mentioned a snippet from a wonderful book I’d read on the plane that afternoon. I will review that novel later this week, so I won’t give it all away here, but one line within it (spoken by one of its characters, no less) makes me smile. The fictional character says he doesn’t read fiction because he doesn’t want to read about people who never existed doing things they never did. I love that line! I love it that a fictional character says it.
The truth is, I love the power of story to communicate truth through the life stories of people who never existed, doing things they never did. That power fuels me, fills me, thrills me.
It’s true I wrote a book half-filled with imaginary people, but they inhabited a true world and I foisted on them on a journey which I wanted to feel as real as the sun on your face.
It feels good to know what I wanted might have actually happened.
It must’ve felt real.
Well, I sure did enjoy that book, so the award seems well-deserved.
Congratulations! Don’t you love affirmation from the Lord? He has given you great talent!
Yes, Sooz, affirmation is a necessity. So glad you got some! Well done.
Congrats on the CBD award and congrats on the RITA Finalists list!
http://www.rwanational.org/cs/contests_and_awards/2009_rita_and_gh_finalists_announcement#RINSP
I loved The Shape of Mercy and everyone else does too!
cherryblossommj(at)gmail[dot]com
cherryblossommj.blogspot.com
I am still tickled pink that I got to be there and witness you winning. Hooray for affirmation!!!
Shape of Mercy flows effortlessly and beautifully from the opening sentence. One of the best books I’ve read this year. Contragulations!
Dear Susan,
Dillon and I really enjoyed seeing you again at the CBE. Congratulations on receiving the award for your excellent book The Shape of Mercy. It was so cool to see how you integrated into fiction many of the same concepts that Dillon and I were addressing in a nonfiction manner into Gen Hex. You’re a gifted writer and you definitely deserve the award. I wish you all the best in your continued career. Please let me know if you are in the DFW area again – I always enjoy getting together!
Blessings-
Marla Alupoaicei
Leap of Faith Ministries
http://www.marriageleap.com
Love the pic. You’re so cute and the award well deserved.