Wednesday's Writer - Gay N. Lewis talks about those tender moments

I'm really honoured to be able to hand over my Wednesday's Writer slot today to the lovely Gay N. Lewis, a fellow Prism Book Groups writer.  Prism (formerly Inspired Romance) was my first publisher and therefore responsible for getting my writing career off the ground.  Prism is also the publisher of Gay's current best-selling title, Sarah: A Mission of Love.  Over to you, Gay.

Tender Moments by Gay N. Lewis

Romance…women love it, crave it, and need it. But a lot of men don’t understand what romance is or how to give it. Explicit sex is different.  A record number of men have physical passion on their minds and agenda any ole day of the week. But tender phrases and activities that lead to intimacy? Well that’s a different story.

Can’t blame them.  What is romance anyway?  Dictionaries don’t help.   Thorndike and Barnhart says, “A love story, a medieval story or poem telling of heroes.”  My old Webster’s reads, “A medieval narrative of the adventure of chivalric heroes or a long fictitious tale of adventure, heroism, or mystery.”

Well, now, that helps a heap, doesn’t it? 

Maybe that’s why romance novels are popular.  Women have their hunger fulfilled vicariously.  The fictitious heroine has a super hero who understands exactly what will thrill her down to her toes. This perfect male protagonist defines by words and actions what a female misses in her everyday existence. 

Ahhh…sigh…if only we had what she has. And so we read more romance novels—wishing and dreaming as we do that we could enjoy the life of the heroine. And when a singular moment is given to us by our special someone, we swoon and remember the occasion for a lifetime…and then we ache for more of the same.

But how does a woman teach a man to be romantic?

Well, the answer to that is simple.  Have him read a romance novel.  In these books, female authors put imagination to work. We describe how we wish our men would act, and what we yearn for them to say and do.

For Christian writers, tender scenes without too much suggestive detail are difficult. When and where should the guy touch the girl? How descriptive should that kiss be? What can he say to her that will not offend the Christian reader?

When my husband compliments me, or surprises me with a gift, I cement it into my heart—and sometimes his word or deed shows up in one of my books…as fiction, of course. Sarah: A Mission of Love has one of these moments in it. Sarah: Laney’s Angel will be out in the spring of 2013. This funny and heart-warming tale has scenes to make one swoon, but none of them were inspired by my spouse.

Gals, leave us your comments. What romantic action or word has your special someone instilled into your memory?

More about Gay N Lewis:

A native Texan, Gay lives in Fulshear—a small town west of Houston. She has always been involved with creative and artistic ventures.  Two videos she produced—The Canadian Rockies, English and Japanese translations, and Psalms from the Mountains, were sold in Canada, America, Great Britain, as well as all international markets. Both were well received.  For the San Felipe Baptist Association, she was a contributor for the video Many Churches, One Vision.

Graphic skills kept her busy as a portrait photographer, and for over ten years, she used her imaginative insight in the interior design field. 

Gay’s real love is writing and reading—both go nicely together.  As a pastor’s wife, she has written, produced, and photographed many programs, and her Faith Features have been published in various church periodicals.

Teaching an adult Bible study every Sunday morning is Gay’s joy, and she is often called upon for speaking engagements.  When needed, she plays the piano and serves as worship leader in her husband’s church. 

Gay’s family reside in Texas—three daughters and four grandchildren.

Sarah:  A Mission of Love is available from:
Prism Book Groups and all leading e-book retailers.

Summary:

Handsome, single, and wealthy, Houstonian Tom Shoemaker must decide if he should give up his successful business to assume a country pastorate. When a blonde, blue-eyed, dyslexic angel arrives from The Heavenlies to locate a mate for Tom by Valentine’s Day, she’s havoc in outlandish red stilettos. But despite numerous goofs in her efforts—many caused by her passion for eccentric footwear the other angels would never dare adorn—love is indeed in the air.

After Marcy Montgomery’s husband was killed in Afghanistan, she relocated to a small, central Texas town with Hope, her five-year-old daughter. When Sarah accidentally introduces Tom to Marcy, she sets about discovering if the two would make suitable mates. The Superiors certainly wouldn’t approve of a romantic link between the wrong people. But Hope wants a father, and when the five-year-old meets Tom, she immediately decides he is the perfect candidate.

Is Tom the right one for Marcy? Or has Sarah made her biggest blunder of all? Oh merciful heavens! What’s an angel to do?


Sarah: Laney's Angel is due for release next Spring.

This sounds like the start of a long and very endearing series.  Do check out the above links for more information and thank you, Gay, for such a thought-provoking post.