“…fiction is like a spider’s web, attached ever so lightly perhaps, but still attached to life at all four corners.”   Virginia Woolf

I had a unique experience recently. My book club, the Pageturners, chose my novel, Loving Christy to discuss.

I pondered how to handle this discussion. Being a former teacher, my first inclination was to ask pointed, challenging questions that honed in on setting, theme and character development, much like I would have done with my students. Thankfully, common sense prevailed. Thinking back on the many wonderful discussions our club has had over the last nine years, I knew that I should trust this intelligent, insightful group of women.

My book club is almost ideal—everyone reads the selection, everyone comes prepared to discuss the book, and everyone participates. In fact, we rather pride ourselves on our in-depth discussions. We are not one of those groups who agree they liked the book and then order lunch. We meet in one another’s homes, carefully select books, and research the author before we gather to discuss the book.

So, the stage was set.

But I must admit that I was a little nervous—what if they didn’t like the book? What if the smattering of bad language (in context) was offensive? What if they thought I had completely missed the mark with this novel?

I decided to share the interview that I wrote as part of my publicity packet to start the meeting.  Those questions set the groundwork—where did I get the idea for the story, where did the characters come from, why did I write the story?

What ensued was an in-depth discussion of the characters, the setting and the theme. It was a revelation and a joy. My book club sisters had insights into the story that surprised even me. They saw the characters as well drawn and believable.  They had empathy for Peggy, the down-on-her luck antagonist. They related to Christy’s struggles—most of them came of age at the same time. One woman pointed out descriptive language that appealed to her.

It was a wonderful experience for me as an author. I write to communicate—and this discussion authenticated me as a writer in a way I have never experienced before.

When my book club sisters left my home that day, I felt joy and excitement.

Yes, it would be exciting to hit it big—to be a household name and make oodles of money. But, in truth, this discussion was the payback I really wanted—to know that my little novel, a story that insisted on being written, resonated with other people, brought them hours of pleasure, and forged connections among women of differing backgrounds.