Books of the Heart
by Eve Gaddy
Have you ever heard the expression a “Book of the Heart?” It’s a common phrase among writers. We toss it around, certain that everyone knows what we mean when we say it. Recently I heard from another writer that readers might not know what the phrase a “Book of the Heart” means. “Aren’t all your books written from your heart?” a reader might ask. And the answer is yes. Absolutely. But a Book of the Heart has a different meaning.
A book of the heart is often a long time in the making. I know of several writers whose books took years to develop. Mine certainly did. I haven’t heard of one that wasn’t a struggle in some way. Sometimes a book of the heart is very difficult to write. The subject matter, the format, the genre, something makes it different and harder for the author to write it. Are there any books of the heart that come easily? Yes, but we call those “gift books.” More on those in another blog.
To me, a book of the heart is a book that calls to the author. The book insists on being written. It won’t let the author alone. It hangs around in the back of our mind, sometimes dormant, sometimes perking away and demanding we stop whatever we’re doing and write the thing. Books of the Heart do not care if the author has another contracted book due. They do not care if it’s difficult to write, if it wrings you dry. Quite simply the book of the heart demands to be written. We might put it off for many years, writing other things, but the time is never quite right. We know when it is. Mine rose up and whacked me in the head.
I was talking about books of the heart to amazing author, Justine Davis. I said that I didn’t know of anyone who hadn’t thought about their book of the heart for a very long time before writing it. Often years. The writing itself might not take years, but the book needs time to develop before you can write it. Justine said, “But to me it means not only one that’s close to your heart, but one you’ve had to carry in your heart because the time/situation wasn’t right, or you didn’t have the time to devote to it.” I’m planning a series of future blogs in which other authors discuss their own Books of the Heart.
My book of the heart, Cry Love, was not written quickly. It was not written easily. At times I wondered if it would ever be written at all. It is far and away the most complex, difficult, different book that I’ve ever written. I love romantic suspense and write a lot of it. In fact, my next book for Bell Bridge Books is romantic suspense. I also write contemporary romance. I’m a bit confused about what genre to place Cry Love in. It’s a love story about lovers from three different time periods. It’s about how the past connects to the present. There is triumph and tragedy, suspense, and a mystery that runs through much of the book, including the present. And romance. Cry Love is definitely a romance.
For the longest time, I wasn’t sure I’d ever write Cry Love. Then I wasn’t sure I’d finish it. I was also unsure that it would ever be published. Every new book is a thrill to me. Every book I write is important and matters to me. My heart is in every book. But Cry Love is my Book of the Heart, the one that’s been on my mind and in my heart for many years. I’m so happy to be able to share it with you now.
Just click the link above to buy Eve Gaddy’s romantic new release!
