Rain Dance Discussion Questions Author Answers

RAIN DANCE DISCUSSION QUESTIONS AUTHOR ANSWERS:

What about Stacie?

Stacie is very different from me and in the writing that was a huge relief! When I started getting to know her on the page, I knew I loved her best - it wasn't a conscious thing but it was a very real. When she "spoke" to me the first time I heard a lawyers voice - succinct and intelligent. Her pain grabbed and startled me. I prayed readers would love her. Most love her deeply.

Their Point of Views:

Why do you think the author chose to write in dual first person?

Each woman had to tell her story. One voice couldn't do these two women justice. When I tried 3rd person on Stacie she sounded fake and instead of strong she sounded aggressive. Jonica sounded wimpy instead of wounded. When I interviewed each character, that's when their voices came alive on the page the way they sounded in my head. That's when I knew they had to do all the talking.

Their Faith:

Did their belief systems feel genuine to you?

Jonica's story is real. Those comments were made to me over 25 years ago. It hurt my heart to learn that young women today are still hearing the same stabbing words today. I felt I'd failed them somehow - church ladies should know more today than when I was young and barren. I should have told them. Now I have. I hope they hear how much I love them and young women facing childless lives.Stacie believed in politics and activism and stood for a cause she was convinced would be there for her. She longed for her mother’s approval and felt like somewhere along the line she’d failed – it had to be her fault they couldn’t connect. People failed them both. God did not!

The Issues:

Did you come away with a better understanding of infertility?

What do you know now that surprises you?It's been my prayer that readers would get a glimpse into the world of the young woman who can't have children - the one who can't attend another baby shower to save her life. Infertile women are often misunderstood when well-meaning people assume they understand…when they can’t.She doesn't want the child born to the new young mom - she wants one that has her smile and her husband's eyes. Instead of taking birth control pills, she's taking her temperature. Her period brings no relief…instead she faces the stark reality she has not conceived.

Why do you think infertility is more often not discussed openly?

Infertility is an issue so intimate we don't talk about. How sad. Talking about not being able to have children is not a sexual topic although it’s often seen as one. It can be supported spiritually, but should never be judged as result of personal sin.

Why do you think PAS (Post-Abortion Syndrome) is downplayed or ignored by the women’s movement and the media?

PASS (Post Abortion Stress Syndrome) is often ignored by the pro-choice community. I'm not sure I understand why except that it exposes a side to “choice” they’d rather keep undercover.

Although obviously pro-life, the author makes it plain she sees abortion as far than a political issue…as an issue of the heart. Do you agree or disagree?

As I wrote this, I learned how very complicated choosing abortion is - maybe not the choice but the living with it. I realized almost immediately Stacie wasn't just suffering guilt - she was grieving - far deeper than I expected her to be. The post abortive women in my life did something amazing for me - they gave the issue of abortion a level of importance beyond a political issue - it is now as a face, flesh, and blood...and I'm more passionately pro-life than before. So are they.I grieve the lives of children ended in the millions of abortions done in this country alone. I have no idea who we've lost as a society. I continue to learn from grieving women their regret is real and life-long.

The Men in Their Lives:

What part of Ben’s story did you connect with?

Ben is modeled after my husband Jon only I didn't have time in the story to full develop his character. Because I know his heart as a character and a real man better than I put on the page, I'm crazy about him! The Father's Day hurt was so hard to write. I relived Jon’s pain and that was harder the second time around.

We don’t see a lot of Jonica’s dad (Carl) but what impression do you get of their relationship?

Jonica is her daddy's girl in an easy relationship she treasures. He's another male character I didn't get to share with the readers as much as I would have liked...but Carl is quiet and didn't want anymore page time than needed.

Did you understand Mike’s desire to be fully involved with Stacie’s choice?

Men are rarely considered in the abortion discussion. It’s often considered a “woman’s only” topic – it’s her body – her choice. But the child is as much his as hers…and in a marriage the choice should at the very least be discussed. There are thousands of men who have insisted on abortions, paid for them, or were left out completely…and they regret their part or lack of it. They are grieving. It’s time to recognize them.

What did you like or dislike about Stacie’s dad – Steven Dunbar, Sr?

I loved Steven Dunbar, Sr. I felt his loneliness and faithfulness. He's the one who helped me love Eve before I understood her.

Describe your feelings for Stevie.

Stevie - who walked onto the page one day and refused to leave! I tried to delete him several times but within the second he was there he belonged to the story and I loved him. I had no idea how he would bless the mother's of challenged children. He blessed me as an author too!

The Friendship:

The characters chose friendship based on their similarities instead of avoiding each other because of their differences. How would this enrich both lives?

I think when women choose to look for common ground with another woman even when they have drastic differences, we live the truest peace accord there is. As a woman I often want everyone to believe the way I do...because I want the very best for them...instead of showing (which takes a lot more effort), I'd rather tell (which is preachy and at times unkind). As these two came together in friendship on the page, they confirmed the message I believe God wants me to in my own life:find the common ground...live the faith...and let God do His work.

Forgiveness:

Della never asks Jonica to forgive her unkind words…so why do you think Jonica chose to forgive her anyway?

Forgiveness is as much for the injured party as for the offender. Part of Jonica’s freedom came from building a relationship with Della instead of letting anger and hard feelings rule. As we forgive as we are forgiven (by Christ) we are released from a bitter captivity.

Mothers & Daughters:

Describe Jonica’s relationship to her mom. How do you know Rose is delighted by her daughter?

Rose was easy to write. She's my mom. My mom is able to communicate the ways I delight her (and the ways I don't!). It seems I delight her often. She too (like Carl) preferred a quieter role in the novel so I respected that.

Describe Eve’s relationship to her daughter.

At first I could not stand this woman. Why couldn’t she love her beautiful and talented daughter? She ticked me off. She was far more than a political adversary to me. She offended me. Eve came at me every chance she got - challenging me to hate her. At times I did. I didn't understand her and I resented her power over her daughter and a nation.

How do you feel about Eve’s long-distance provisions for Stevie (even when she couldn’t mother him)?

Then I met Stevie and saw her in him...cancer revealed her frailty...and her mis-communicated love for Stacie became evident. I thought she was bad through and through. She wasn't. I'm so glad I was wrong! When I found out she was Stevie's secret benefactor I literally jumped out of my chair and yelled, "Go Eve!" Up to that moment, I thought it was someone else.

The Dance:

The dance wasn't part of my plan either - although I confess I love splashing around in puddles and walking in warm rain. When they became moments of intense worship for these women I wept. Silent tears rolled down my cheeks - enough of them to dampen the front of my shirt as I read it again and again...and realized it just didn't fit at first. I saved that part and wrote the end I'd planned on. It felt flat and insincere but it was the only other one I had. Then a friend took me to breakfast and shared her story - her Stacie story...and how God used the verses in Ezekiel (you'll find them in the authors note at the end of the book) to show her His total forgiveness. I sat in that restaurant moved beyond tears...my heart so full I thought I might burst. The real end did fit. Salvation demonstrated in a rain dance. Imagine that. God did!

Jonica doesn’t get to see Stacie’s dance…but Stacie sees hers…why do you think this is so important to the story?

Only one woman could see the other…one had to go first. Through out the rest of the book, that was Jonica. At the end, Stacie deserved the joy of the first touch of the water and seeing her friend’s worship.

What do you think Stacie’s dance signifies?

Stacie's dance symbolizes her redemption - salvation bought for her by Jesus.

What do you think Jonica’s dance symbolizes?

Jonica's dance symbolizes her redirection and rededication to her faith.WATER DOESN'T SAVE. Jesus does. Water doesn't redirect. Jesus does. To both women the water was a symbol of His touch. I loved the way it was the same water. Did you?