Transformed Through Story

Fresh Fiction owner Sara Reyes and I had the pleasure of attending an inspiring event last Friday: An Evening with Francine Rivers and Friends, presented by Prestonwood Baptist Church and Tyndale House. Prestonwood rolled out the red carpet for its 700+ ticket holders, welcoming guests for a Q&A, signing, and dessert reception with eight fabulous Tyndale authors. Sara and I were also honored to attend a special dinner before the program, with the authors and staff from Tyndale, who are among the nicest people I have met in this industry.

As the theme of the event was Transformed Through Story, it is fitting that Francine Rivers, bestselling author of some of the most transformative literature in the genre, was the featured guest. Like most everyone in the audience, I am a long-time fan of Francine’s work, and I am delighted to report that she is every bit as smart, humble, and sweet in person as readers hoped she would be. She truly is a woman after God’s heart, in her writing and her attitude, and a smile from her could brighten the worst rainy day.

Image: Author Francine Rivers with Karen Watson, Associate Publisher at Tyndale House

During her on-stage interview, Francine discussed how her writing is a form of worship, and her process begins with a question that is slowly answered as she writes. I never realized that the question for A VOICE IN THE WIND, my personal favorite Rivers novel, was “How do I share my faith with family and friends who have no interest in God?” but now I have a new appreciation for my old favorite.

Of course, she also remarked on the all-time reader favorite REDEEMING LOVE, declaring it her statement of faith, in which she presented how she’d felt in her non-Christian life. Before being saved, she said she felt like a prostitute, selling herself to everything but the love that would truly satisfy her. I didn’t have to turn around to know that 700 pairs of eyes were blurry with tears; I could just feel it.

And beyond all of her inspiring remarks, she also made us laugh with stories of Granny Franny, her trials in plotting, and her husband’s wise counsel that she should put her work out there, because an agent was not likely to come looking for her manuscript inside their closet. Before faithfully signing for over an hour at the reception, Francine made a remark that captured the true reason behind the event and the inspirational fiction genre itself: When she gave us a few hints about her current work in progress, she reminded us that “Jesus didn’t come to enhance our lives; He came to save us.” And that is the transformation, unsaved to saved, that keeps all these authors sharing their stories with us. I hope they keep doing so for as long as this earth lasts.

Do you wish you had been with us on Friday? Check out Fresh Fiction Local on Meetup, so you can be the first to know about the best author events in North Texas.

Sara and I want to say a special thank you to Tyndale House and to all the authors who attended. We hope to see y’all back in Dallas soon!

- Francine Rivers
- Candace Calvert
- Janice Cantore
- Eva Marie Everson
- Pam Hillman
- DiAnn Mills
- Allison Pittman
- Courtney Walsh

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Formerly Fresh Fiction's Features Editor, Patricia (sometimes called "Pasha") now writes columns and event recaps for Fresh Fiction in addition to her full-time church job. Patricia puts her BA in English from University of North Texas to work by either writing on or editing every page put in front of her. The adventures in her middle grade work- in-progress find their way onto every journal, Word document, or napkin she owns, and she hopes they will one day find a home in the hearts of young readers.

To connect with Patricia, follow her on Twitter, become her friend on Facebook, or drool over desserts with her on Pinterest.