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FaithfulReader.com: Can you share a story about a reader who wrote or spoke with you about your Chick Lit writing?
Sharon Dunn: The thing I hear most from readers is that they appreciate that my character is real and that they laughed and cried when they read the book. I got an e-mail from a friend I had lost touch with for some time. She had given my book to her unsaved roommate. She said the roommate read the book, and after asked her some very provocative questions about Christianity. The roommate eventually came to Christ. I am sure there were other things going on in her life that led her to make the decision, but my book was one of the tools God used. If I write nothing else and never get another fan letter, that story made all the blood, sweat and tears that goes into writing a book worth it.
Laura Jensen Walker: A male reader (another humorist who writes nonfiction and got to read an advance copy of DREAMING IN BLACK & WHITE) laughed so hard when he read the opening chapter that he had tears streaming down his face. That made my day! It further made my day/week/year when he told me with a trace of a whine that his wife grabbed it from him to read and laughed long and hard throughout much of the novel --- even more so than when she reads his humor. (I told him it was that whole woman and her thighs connection.)
Robin Jones Gunn: The Chick Chat board on the "Sisterchicks" website www.sisterchicks.com has provided a wealth of insight into what readers of these novels have to say. Today I received an email that said, "I feel like I know you even though I've never met you. I just picked up SISTERCHICKS IN SOMBREROS and I can't put it down! I don't know how to explain it (except that it is totally a God thing!), but every time I pick up one of your books, the theme seems to speak to EXACTLY what I am going through in my life at that exact moment."
Judy Baer: I know of a mother and daughter who started reading THE WHITNEY CHRONICLES at the same time and ended up calling each other on the telephone to read and laugh at excerpts together because they both recognized so much of themselves in Whitney. They even promised each other that neither would read ahead so that they could actually read the story simultaneously.
Also, my mother-in-law called to tell me her 91-year-old neighbor couldn't put the book down --- she even stayed home from bingo!
Another woman's husband told her she couldn't read THE WHITNEY CHRONICLES in bed because she was laughing, the bed was shaking and he couldn't sleep.
Kristin Billerbeck: I've had a few who broke up with men who wouldn't commit. That has been extremely good for me to hear, that they aren't wasting more time, their best years, on the wrong men. My favorite letter came just recently, from a 31-year-old professional who is active in her church. Yet, of course, her church and family wondered when she'd be married. She really identified with Ashley trying to live her life for God, and everyone wanting to know when she'd get married. She gave the book to her mother, and her mother returned it with a gift: a Prada handbag because the mother didn't ever want her daughter to settle for a fake knockoff. I thought that was beautiful!
Allie Pleiter: When my book comes out in January, I hope I'll have scores of stories. Right now, I mostly hear about how glad women are to find actual crow's feet on the face of the woman on my cover. As a woman with a nice set of actual crow's feet, I must say I find it satisfying.
Neta Jackson: My favorite letter (came just this week) said, "I hate Yada Yada! I love Yada Yada! I see myself --- ugh!!!!! I see Jesus --- hurrah!!!!!" I think I'll frame it.
Penny Culliford: I have not had a great deal of feedback from readers, but it is always heartening to be told, "Your book helped to cheer me up."
Tracey Bateman: I only recently sold a Mom Lit series to Warner Faith, so I have no reader response beyond my friends, agent, and my terrific new editor. But they all think I'm GREAT. And Mom, of course, if you really want to take her word for it.
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