Author J Roe

Writing quirky characters on redemptive journeys

Books Worth Reading

Love Stories and Fairy Tale Retellings

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Love stories and fairy tale retellings crowd the bookstore shelves in the young adult fantasy book section. My teens and I bee-line our way to the aisle and spend, literally, hours in them. We sigh over the beautiful covers and wonder how this or that author will remold our favorite love stories. But why do we want fairy tales retold? What continues to draw us to them time and time again?

Why We Love Stories of Fairy Tale Retellings

Now, of course, not everyone loves a fairy tale retelling. But I doubt those readers are visiting my site here, so we won’t worry about them. Let’s chat instead of the reason we love to retell a fairy tale. Fairy tales that have a habit of being retold have a quality of wonder. There is clear evil and there is clear good. Though in modern fairy tale retellings you will often find those lines blurred {because, let’s face it, none of us are completely good} the original source material has a familiar beauty of love triumphing over what is broken. And right now, in our dark world, that gives us hope and fills us with joy.

Our Favorite Fairy Tale

I find the question, “What is your favorite fairy tale?” enlightening. I was sitting on my counselor’s couch (not lying down, mind you) when she asked me this question. She shared how our favorite fairy tale reveals a great deal about ourselves. Do we have one? We probably believe in happy endings. Is it Cinderella? Perhaps we feel mistreated. Is it Sleeping Beauty? Maybe we are waiting to be rescued.

She shared she had one unnamed client who adored the story of Beauty and the Beast. I perked up, that was one of my favorites too, long before Disney made it into an animated film. The woman who loved it had a penchant for attaching herself to men who were much like the beast at the beginning of the story. This patient had spent her life trying to transform each man she dated into a prince, but only got abused in the process. I was so glad that I hadn’t said that, but I had answered, “Rapunzel.” I don’t remember her reply, because, like most counselors, she didn’t tell me the answer. I had to figure out for myself why it resonated with me.

Do All Fairy Tales End Happily?

Why does your favorite strike a chord with you? Is the idea of the story like a well-worn book you’ve smoothed with your hands so many times that the pages now feel like silk beneath your touch? Do you picture yourself as the heroine or the hero? (I hope you don’t see yourself as the villain, but I have those days, myself.)

In my early twenties, much like now, I was suffering from chronic migraines. But at the time, I had left college because they had become so debilitating. I had had these chronic migraines since high school and learned to live with them. So why had they suddenly become so bad as to cause me to drop out of living my life? My counselor knew that there were some mitigating factors, and looking back, I can see that Rapunzel was an enlightening piece of the puzzle.

Like Sleeping Beauty, Rapunzel is waiting, always waiting in her tower. When she finally decides to take a risk and love someone enough to allow him to rescue her, the witch who imprisoned her finds out. Rapunzel watches as her beloved is thrown from the tower into thorns far below and then Rapunzel is cast out into the wilderness to wander for years.

The Greatest Love Story isn’t just a Fairy Tale Retelling

Though I didn’t see it at the time, I felt similar to Rapunzel, isolated by my pain. It wasn’t just the migraines, I had fallen in love with someone who didn’t love me back. I was left feeling alone, betrayed. Unsaid words became the pain in my head and the depression in my spirit.

Here’s the amazing part, God used that hard time to show me that He wanted to rescue me out of the wilderness. He would care for my heart whether or not I ever found my prince. After all, the true Prince had already come to this world and paid the ultimate price to ransom me. (John 3:16) I just needed reminding.

I suppose it only makes sense that I remained attached to Rapunzel. Only a few years after getting better and graduating from college, I began to write my own retelling. It grew and changed from the original story and became one of a different rescue. And this Valentine’s Day, while love stories and fairy tale retellings are pictured all over Bookstagram, I smile, knowing my true Prince rescued me long before my husband ever knew my name. You can start here with a free novella, Before the Tower, and I’ll connect you with more bookish fun at least once a month in my newsletter.

About JacQueline

As the author of  The Journey series, a young adult fantasy retelling Rapunzel’s misadventures, JacQueline also wrote Memoirs of a Headcase: Held by the God of Hope, to share hope in the battle against chronic pain and depression. Currently she lives in North Alabama with her karate husband and three book-crazy kids. All opinions expressed on this website come from her own experience. Do not substitute it for professional therapy or medical advice. Any affiliate links used on this website will provide additional income to JacQueline’s family at no additional cost to you.

If you are a reader wanting to connect with JacQueline, you can get a free book here. Each month you will receive book recommendations and other booknerd fun.

Are you a writer or an author looking for help? JacQueline has been writing all her life and loves meeting others who think writing is living. As an author coach, helping other writers on their journey gives her joy. Schedule your free coaching call to learn what steps you should take next now.

Photo credit: Natasha Brazil, Derek Story, Lenin Estrada, and Rose

Social Media Graphic Design: JacQueline Vaughn Roe

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Loving {and Hating} a Book Series

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Many of us bookworms find ourselves both loving and hating book series that are incomplete. We live in a world of rapid release where delayed gratification lies untapped while drones bring us our next favorite book. But, what if we find ourselves falling in love with a book series that hasn’t been completed yet? Should we even risk it?

Let’s be honest, some people refuse to pick up a book that is part of a series because they simply don’t want to make that commitment. They aren’t sure they have the wherewithal to get attached to a certain group of characters and travel with them through a new world for thousands of pages. But many of us are not only ready to make that commitment, but we are also eagerly searching for the right one.

Book Series and Nurturing Anticipation

Does this sound familiar? You are reading through a book, either savoring it at an easy pace, or turning the pages as fast you can, and then you get to the end only to discover . . . you have to wait till the next book for the resolution you NEED now! And, what??? It will be at least a year before the next book comes out, maybe two or three or {Jesus, come quickly!} longer???

It reminds me of back in the day when I was watching a favorite television show and the season finale literally left the main character stranded in the middle of an ocean. All summer long, there he was in my mind, just bobbing in the waters and about to drown.

Why We Can Wait

Okay, so not everyone is as dramatic as me {praise God!}, but you get the point, right? Why put yourself through the heartache if you are going to wait f o r e v e r for the next installment in a beloved story? Maybe we should just wait till the entire series is written before we pick it up.

Weren’t you thrilled when Marissa Myers (of The Lunar Chronicles) came out with her third and final book in her Renegades series? Yes! Just pop over, buy the whole set, and read them all without having to wait for years .

But if everyone did that, then Jessica Townsend (of the Nevermoor series) would not have just landed her 6-book contract deal. Her third book is out in just a couple of months, and those pre-orders count, readers! They encourage traditional publishers that these are the types of books we want. Pre-orders count for indie-authors, too, because they tell online retailers and indie bookstores what to highlight.

Book Series and Character Growth

I discovered book series that were incomplete over this last year, but I wanted to invest. My criteria were simple and I only needed one to really push me to give the series a chance:

  1. Was at least the first book easy-to-access?
  2. Did I know and trust the author?
  3. Had I heard something promising about the series from a trusted source?

I’m not going to lie and say it always worked out. Several books disappointed me for various reasons {but that’s a different blog post}. I want to talk about the ones I find worth waiting for. For me, the most important thing in any book series is character growth and a redemptive story arc.

There is something satisfying about following characters around and seeing them make gradual changes, for better or worse, as a series progresses. I want a book full of characters who are real, flawed, and quirky. If they learn hard truths, make mistakes, pick themselves up, and eventually find their way–I’m a happy reader!

When you keep searching for the release date of the next book, then you know you found your series. I found this to be true for me after Jessica Townsend’s Nevermoor and Jennifer A. Neilson’s The Traitor’s Game, both of which have a third book coming out this spring {think pre-orders, friends!}

My Own Semi-Complete Book Series

I realize that you are probably in a similar place. You want a fun adventure with characters you love to see develop. You also long for some type of semi-resolution so you can sleep at night. I write what I like to read. When I was developing The Journey Series, I decided to write the entire series in three sets of trilogies. This provides enough story arc over the course of each trilogy that readers will feel satisfied {though still wanting more according to several reviews}. You can find the first three books (updated in 2020 to include the fourth book) in Rapunzel’s Journey here on Amazon, or find the first book for free here on all online stores.

About JacQueline

As the author of  The Journey series, a young adult fantasy retelling Rapunzel’s misadventures, JacQueline also wrote Memoirs of a Headcase: Held by the God of Hope, to share hope in the battle against chronic pain and depression. Currently she lives in North Alabama with her karate husband and three book-crazy kids. All opinions expressed on this website come from her own experience. Do not substitute it for professional therapy or medical advice. Any affiliate links used on this website will provide additional income to JacQueline’s family at no additional cost to you.

If you are a reader wanting to connect with JacQueline, you can get a free book here. Each month you will receive book recommendations and other booknerd fun.

Are you a writer or an author looking for help? JacQueline has been writing all her life and loves meeting others who think writing is living. As an author coach, helping other writers on their journey gives her joy. Schedule your free coaching call to learn what steps you should take next now.

photography: Alan Lin, Ben White, Anthony Tran, Jessica “Kess” Vaughn, and Kinga Cichewicz

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Celebrating the End of a Hard Year

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This is not the end

How can we say we are celebrating the year if it was hard? If you’ve been struggling with illness, grief, job loss, or relationship issues, maybe you don’t know how. One look at my KanBan board reveals rows and rows of sticky note goals that haven’t been achieved and moved into the “CELEBRATE!” column.

When we are dealing with obstacles thrown into our path during life’s journey, discouragement tells us we are failures. But, what if we look beyond the planned success on our vision boards? I think there are things each of us have learned, perhaps the hard way, that are worth recognizing. Why not end the year celebrating those victories so that we can begin looking for such treasures in the New Year?

As you can see, I haven’t been able to “clear” my “to-do’s” on my KanBan Board.

Celebrating the Year: Recognize when coping becomes healing

I remember when I was younger a well-meaning teacher told me that coping was unhealthy. It was the path of developing strategies to avoid what needed to be dealt with. Being young and impressionable, I took her word for it and began to despise the word. I scrutinized and judged everyone around me who used coping mechanisms to survive.

But I’ve been trying to recover and heal from several things this year. For months, I was avoiding pain, both physical and emotional. Most of us have done this at one point in our lives, and there’s a cost. For me, migraines became debilitating and led to a dark depression riddled with suicidal thoughts.

My counselor has reminded me that we have to live our lives, not escape them. We must journey through the low points to reach the other side of healing. I’ve had to learn to process pain differently and try several different ways of relieving it because my body doesn’t respond well to many medicinal or natural remedies. Developing coping mechanisms to process has helped me work through my issues.

Prayer walking and #walkthankful

Below I use links to a fitness resource I have found essential for my chronic illness issues. Here is the link to their free open house during which you can try out all their courses and workouts free for the month of December. If you use any of these links, please know I will receive a small affiliate payment that will cost you nothing extra ONLY if you decide to invest at the end of the open house.

Recognizing I have to deal with the pain in my life, including the aching loss of my sister, I have begun moving my body again. Last November, right before my sister’s death, I joined the #walkthankful challenge by Fit2B. In it, you take a walk every day for the month and contemplate what you are thankful for. My life had become about migraines and my sister’s brain-injury, so I wanted to participate even if we couldn’t do it every day. I loved those short walks with her and I miss them.

Taking walks after her death felt impossible, but I knew I needed the warmth of movement to heal. So I began prayer-walking, pouring out my anger and anxiety to the God I was having a hard time trusting. As I walked through the pouring rain last spring, I cried. During the blazing hot months of summer, I shielded my eyes with sunglasses and decided to keep walking, keep praying, keep sweating. My mind would drift and it became less and less about my pain and more about the beauty the Creator had surrounded me with. By the time November came, I was ready and needing to walk in gratitude, even though it hurt to live through the horrible anniversary of her death.

Bonding with children and friends

What shouldn’t have surprised any of us is how God layers our days with support if we open our eyes. I had started counseling again, uprooting some bad habits and developing some healthier ones. My children often go on walks with me. My youngest loves chattering away happily as we discover secret pathways through our suburban neighborhood. Friends through FaceBook pray for me and my family, reaching out as we continue along. Fellow readers and writers on Instagram and Twitter have sent messages of support. I’ve even had readers of my books check in on me, people who feel like they know me simply because I have shared stories with them.

This linked-up community of chronic illness warriors has been a lifeline to so many, but I think it can go far beyond that. I believe people long for connection, but sometimes we have to take steps to make it happen. A year ago, when my sister Joy died, neighbors reached out to me. On her birthday, I made cookies in her memory, and went door to door delivering them. I did it because I wanted to do something good. Why not take the little bit of energy we have and do nice things for others? It took the focus off of me and my pain and placed it on others. I know we can’t do it all the time, but this was worth it. Though surprised, my neighbors and I had nice chats. My plan is to do this every year on Joy’s birthday.

Celebrating the Year: what to do with unmet goals

Over the past year, I thought I would have written two more books than I have. Instead, I’ve been processing, journaling, learning what I need to in order to survive this season. When I write my next memoir/Biblestudy, I pray it will have the depth and resolution it needs to help others. I can celebrate publishing Before the Tower and Amidst the Castles, but . . . It’s hard to let go those that didn’t happen. Each of my writing projects took longer and more out of me than I anticipated. I bet you understand. Those obstacles really take it out of us, don’t they?

I don’t yet have a great grasp on how long it takes me to accomplish things, but I do know I won’t quit until I have completed each project. The last novel for this year, Within the Spell, is finally through edits. It came out today, just in time for Christmas. *Deep Breath* It’s been a hard journey, but I’ve made progress and it’s worth celebrating this year. We learn, right? Let’s look at the next year and keep striving, but not pushing too hard or too fast.

Please share with us, what unexpected lesson learned can we celebrate with you? What path did you travel that you might not have wanted to, but you’re stronger for having traversed?

JacQueline Vaughn Roe

About JacQueline

As the author of  The Journey series, a young adult fantasy retelling Rapunzel’s misadventures, JacQueline also wrote Memoirs of a Headcase: Held by the God of Hope, to share hope in the battle against chronic pain and depression. Currently she lives in North Alabama with her karate husband and three book-crazy kids. All opinions expressed on this website come from her own experience. Do not substitute it for professional therapy or medical advice. Any affiliate links used on this website will provide additional income to JacQueline’s family at no additional cost to you.

If you are a reader wanting to connect with JacQueline, you can get a free book here. Each month you will receive book recommendations and other booknerd fun.

Are you a writer or an author looking for help? JacQueline has been writing all her life and loves meeting others who think writing is living. As an author coach, helping other writers on their journey gives her joy. Schedule your free coaching call to learn what steps you should take next now.

Graphic Design for Social Media: JacQueline Vaughn Roe. Contact her for help with graphic design or other author services.

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Fall, Trees, and Books

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Spring and summer seem to be about fast-paced activities for my family and I found myself reaching for books with similar adventures in mind. I wanted page-turners, wild tales, loud characters. Racing through the first five Percy Jackson books was perfect and I loved every minute. But as we have been heading into fall and winter, something else is calling my name. Fall, trees, and books–can there be anything better?

Fall, Trees, and Books

The truth is, I am addicted to trees. When I was young, I remember being afraid of an upcoming family move. What if there weren’t enough trees to satisfy me? What if the wind didn’t move the branches and whisper through the leaves like I had grown to love? I am happy to report that I came to love the trees in my new neighborhood. There were blue firs that shook like a jolly santa laughing when the wind would blow and white birches with their golden leaves and pale, peeling bark. Trees everywhere, inviting me to come and walk and dream. I fell in love with autumn in the suburbs of Chicago, succumbing to the wonders of a four-season climate for the first time in my life. But there was something missing . . . mountains.

I no longer live in the suburbs of Chicago, but I look forward to this time of year. I live in the Tennessee River valley and our family is constantly driving over the mountains that surround us. They are heavily wooded and during autumn, the blaze of color is breath-taking. It’s no wonder that trees and mountains have come to play a prominent role in what I reach for to read and what I love to write. As I find myself looking for great books to recommend, I want it to be something thoughtful, something that speaks to my love of creation and how the setting is more of a character in the book than a simple backdrop.

Books with Trees

Usually, I will recommend young adult fantasy books to you, but this time I’m going to head a different direction. Let’s discuss one of the most underrated historical fantasy writers of our time, Stephen R. Lawhead. “Wait!” you might exclaim. “How can someone write history and weave it together with fantasy?” Well, let’s just say the man spends his time studying myths and legends in Oxford and then recreates them with such detail that they are titled “mythic history.” Did you hear my happy sigh?

In the King Raven Trilogy, Lawhead takes the legend of Robin Hood and sets it much earlier in Wales just as the Normans are conquering it. As in most of his novels, he depicts bards as those trained as druids who have been enlightened by medieval Christianity. Peasants hide deep in the wood to save their families from the plight of all conquered peoples. A spoiled noble, Bran, loses all he has in order to grow into the savior, the Robin Hood, his people need.

My eldest daughter, who received the books from me for Christmas one year, couldn’t stand Bran at first. It took a great deal of coaxing to convince her that the author wasn’t going to allow him to remain a scoundrel for the whole series. I love that about Lawhead. While some of his books have more mature themes than I typically recommend, he is all about boys shedding their immaturity and immorality in favor of becoming men who use their strength and resources to defend the weak and helpless.

My Favorite Parts

Life is brutal and messy, so if that bothers you, then this series will not be for you. But if you like new life breathed into old legends and lovely prose mixed in with clever strategy (King Raven is a master at trickery!) then I highly encourage you to find yourself a copy or two of the whole series. It won’t be fast reading, but something to savor. Expect Will Scarlet to make you cheer, Maid Merian to be wise and sassy, and of course, Friar Tuck to crack you up.

Possibly my favorite character is Angharad, a wise bard who teaches Bran to become the king he should be. She seems as old as the trees they hide among and her stories weave their magic throughout the books, calling each character to live the life they were created for.

After rereading the entire series, I see how profoundly these books have affected my own writing. No wonder Rapunzel keeps getting called back among the trees, enthralled by the cascade of colored leaves swirling to the ground. It’s fun to think of what might have happened had Lawhead’s version of Robin Hood met my Rapunzel. Fall, trees, and books, can there be anything better? But wait, what about the mountains? Well, they make their appearance in Within the Spell and I found inspiration for that book in another series . . . but that’s another blog.

Bookworm Fun

My dear bookworms, Within the Spell, the third novel in Rapunzel’s Journey, will be published in December in time for Christmas. Want to be notified as soon as you can order your copy? Click here now! You will receive the origin novella as my free gift to you and get monthly updates about all things journey-related. I promise to keep you in-the-loop without overloading your inbox.

Let me know what books sound good to you as the weather grows chilly here in the Northern Hemisphere. Where are you in the world? Does the weather affect your #TBR pile? If so, what’s next on your reading list?

JacQueline Vaughn Roe

About JacQueline

As the author of  The Journey series, a young adult fantasy retelling Rapunzel’s misadventures, JacQueline also wrote Memoirs of a Headcase: Held by the God of Hope, to share hope in the battle against chronic pain and depression. Currently she lives in North Alabama with her karate husband and three book-crazy kids. All opinions expressed on this website come from her own experience. Do not substitute it for professional therapy or medical advice. Any affiliate links used on this website will provide additional income to JacQueline’s family at no additional cost to you.

If you are a reader wanting to connect with JacQueline, you can get a free book here. Each month you will receive book recommendations and other booknerd fun.

Are you a writer or an author looking for help? JacQueline has been writing all her life and loves meeting others who think writing is living. As an author coach, helping other writers on their journey gives her joy. Schedule your free coaching call to learn what steps you should take next now.

Photo Credit: Sebastian Unrau, Ricardo Gomez Angel, and Brigitte Tohm.

Graphic Design for Social Media: JacQueline Vaughn Roe. Contact her for help with graphic design or other author services.

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3 Reasons for a Bookworm to be a Friend

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If you don’t love books or have a voracious reader in your home, this is not the blog for you. However, if you need tips to make friends because you keep getting lost somewhere inside your favorite story, this will all make sense. Instead of escaping reality for a short time in a book, you might be dragging the fantasy into real-life just a little too much. And maybe you’re relying on it to fill up your friendship tank. No judgment here. I’m an author and I have book-crazy children. Here are some of our struggles sprinkled with a few suggestions that we should all be able to laugh about together. Let’s chat about 3 reasons a bookworm should be a friend.

Can book love and all the things to read get in the way of true friendship? Or is being an introvert, especially a bookish one with a need to read, actually an asset over friendship troubles? Click through and read 3 reasons for a bookworm to become a friend. #book #books #booknerd #bookish #bookworm #bibliophile #booklove #introvert #friendship #truefriendship #friendshiptrouble #bookwormproblems #thingstoread #bookstoread #bookhumor #bookfunny #bookquotes #readmore #bookasthetic #bookshelf

Catch up on Bookworm Problems 1-3 here and 4-6 here.

Bookworm Problem: Small Talk

This is probably hardest to understand if you are an extreme extrovert–someone who gets their energy from being with and around people. If that’s you, you likely have no problem with coming up with small talk and chatting about things of a very simple nature that are on eye-level. How’s the weather? How are you? If you are outgoing, it may not faze you to shake a hand and use easy questions to get to know someone.

But, my friend, if you are deeply invested in books, chances are you might a bit more introverted. You may get your energy from time spent alone or just one-on-one with a person who completely gets you. You probably enjoy discussing things that are more complicated. I have plenty of extroverted friends who enjoy discussing things of a deep nature as well, but they typically don’t mind the round-about casual way of getting there.

Reasons for a Bookworm Friend - authorjroe.com - Can book love and all the things to read get in the way of true friendship? Or is being an introvert, especially a bookish one with a need to read, actually an asset over friendship troubles? Click through and read 3 reasons for a bookworm to become a friend. #book #books #booknerd #bookish #bookworm #bibliophile #booklove #introvert #friendship #truefriendship #friendshiptrouble #bookwormproblems #thingstoread #bookstoread #bookhumor #bookfunny #bookquotes #readmore #bookasthetic #bookshelf

#1 Reason for a Bookworm Friend: You care about deeper issues

Wouldn’t it be easier if we could just discuss books we liked instead of anything else? *sigh* Wouldn’t that be grand? Ummm, maybe, but we don’t live in that world. And it can get lonely just tucked inside a book all the time. People get to know us by how we greet them. Online conversations with #bookstagrammers about their Insta-stories can be fun, but we all need real-life friends. So how about this?

What if you look at the books you enjoy as fodder for the conversations you want to have. Think of the kinds of people you find interesting in your books. Imagine the things in those books you find intriguing. Maybe at the next gathering, you feel forced to attend, you introduce yourself with your name and mention that you love to read stories about ________. Ask your new friend {think of them that way, it helps} if they like stories of a similar nature. They may prefer their stories in Netflix form or in a podcast, but you may stumble onto some intriguing commonality. What’s more, you’ve shown interest in someone else and that makes the other person feel good {and takes that scary spotlight off you}.

Can book love and all the things to read get in the way of true friendship? Or is being an introvert, especially a bookish one with a need to read, actually an asset over friendship troubles? Click through and read 3 reasons for a bookworm to become a friend. #book #books #booknerd #bookish #bookworm #bibliophile #booklove #introvert #friendship #truefriendship #friendshiptrouble #bookwormproblems #thingstoread #bookstoread #bookhumor #bookfunny #bookquotes #readmore #bookasthetic #bookshelf

Bookworm Problem: Finding and Making Friends

I remember when I was very young, I could make friends anywhere and everywhere. It cost me nothing to walk up to random strangers no matter their age, ethnicity, gender–whatever–and talk to them. Some of my favorite people were quiet and shy, but I had no idea what that was like at that age.

And then I entered adolescence and I became self-conscious about EVERYTHING. What was worse, my family moved from Houston, Texas up to Chicago, Illinois. For all my friends who don’t live in the United States, those two places only share the same language, and it might as well be two different dialects. I was incredibly lonely and literally wrote 28 poems about my loneliness while listening to sad soft jazz (don’t judge me too harshly) for the rest of my seventh-grade year.

My parents took us church hunting and one Sunday I was discovered by some girls. They were fun and funny and we connected. It wasn’t long before we found we not only shared the same faith with a love of the Bible (we are Christians), but also the same favorite novel. It was like a secret riddle they had the answer to and I knew we were kindred. There are times I have pictured what my life would have been like if I hadn’t connected with anyone during that vulnerable year. Because of my faith, I believe God used books to bridge the gap.

#2 Reason for a Bookworm Friend: Working harder makes your friendship stronger

Finding and making friends can be incredibly difficult. It may seem as though the effort just isn’t worth it–but what if you don’t just think of it being about you? What if you could be someone’s best friend, someone they need to be silly with, share dreams with, to tell secrets to. It takes time to get from here to there, but I know from experience that the harder you work at friendship, the more durable it becomes. None of my best friends live in the same state as I do anymore, but when my sister died last year, each of them was there for me in special ways. We need friends in good times and in rough times. It’s worth the effort and you will be better for it.

So, here’s a fun idea. Check your local library or bookstore and see if they have a book club. If so, you know that when you go, they will be discussing the book they have advertised and probably more like it. Also, go to your library or bookstore when there isn’t a club going on. You will meet readers and writers there, people who understand the worlds you enjoy stepping inside of. They, like you, may be a bit shy but feel strongly about the books they love. That can be your in to making a new friend. Introduce yourself as we talked about above, inquiring what they love about your location. Is it the atmosphere, the selection, perhaps the coffee? (I highly recommend becoming addicted to coffee and coffee shops, this puts you in good with a whole bunch of fun people who may like to read and write, also).

Can book love and all the things to read get in the way of true friendship? Or is being an introvert, especially a bookish one with a need to read, actually an asset over friendship troubles? Click through and read 3 reasons for a bookworm to become a friend. #book #books #booknerd #bookish #bookworm #bibliophile #booklove #introvert #friendship #truefriendship #friendshiptrouble #bookwormproblems #thingstoread #bookstoread #bookhumor #bookfunny #bookquotes #readmore #bookasthetic #bookshelf

Bookworm Problem: Socializing steals from reading time

There is only so much time in each day. We each get approximately twenty-four hours each day, seven days a week. In it we have to cram the essentials of living: eating, working, exercising, and (of course) reading. “But if I have to go spend time with people, then I have less time to read.”

Okay, so I have to admit, I’m not great at math. I write books for a living and they are not the least sciencey or mathematical in nature. I wrote one sci-fi-dystopian novel, but I am rewriting it as dark fantasy because my math didn’t work. But there is some math even I get: 1+1=2 while 2-1=1

Here’s the real problem, if you are looking at your life as a math equation and friends as a negative in that equation, you’re missing the point.

Reasons for a Bookworm Friend - authorjroe.com - Can book love and all the things to read get in the way of true friendship? Or is being an introvert, especially a bookish one with a need to read, actually an asset over friendship troubles? Click through and read 3 reasons for a bookworm to become a friend. #book #books #booknerd #bookish #bookworm #bibliophile #booklove #introvert #friendship #truefriendship #friendshiptrouble #bookwormproblems #thingstoread #bookstoread #bookhumor #bookfunny #bookquotes #readmore #bookasthetic #bookshelf

#3 Reason for a Bookworm Friend: You add infinitely more than you can imagine!

This is going to sound strange. You need friends because they need you. That’s right, you amazing bookworm, people need you! They need your love of story, your love of characters, your love of adventure. They need your intense analyzing, your sense of wonder, your ability to be quiet and listen. You are necessary. And honestly, some of my favorite times with my favorite people, guess what we were doing? Sitting around reading. I’m serious. What if you become friends with people and discover that sharing your precious time actually frees you to enjoy time reading? Friends don’t subtract, they add and you can be a friend who adds!

I honestly believe that if you reach out and sincerely want to share the best of yourself to build others up, you’ll find your people and those people will build you up, too. Perhaps there won’t be a pajama book party tomorrow night, but before you know it, there will be friends.

About JacQueline

As the author of  The Journey series, a young adult fantasy retelling Rapunzel’s misadventures, JacQueline also wrote Memoirs of a Headcase: Held by the God of Hope, to share hope in the battle against chronic pain and depression. Currently she lives in North Alabama with her karate husband and three book-crazy kids. All opinions expressed on this website come from her own experience. Do not substitute it for professional therapy or medical advice. Any affiliate links used on this website will provide additional income to JacQueline’s family at no additional cost to you.

If you are a reader wanting to connect with JacQueline, you can get a free book here. Each month you will receive book recommendations and other booknerd fun.

Are you a writer or an author looking for help? JacQueline has been writing all her life and loves meeting others who think writing is living. As an author coach, helping other writers on their journey gives her joy. Schedule your free coaching call to learn what steps you should take next now.

Bookish photography: Ed Robertson, Ben White, Hannah Rodrigo, Kinga Cichewecz, and Thought Catalog.

Graphic Design for Social Media: JacQueline Vaughn Roe. Contact me here for help with graphic design or other author services.

Reasons for a Bookworm Friend - authorjroe.com - Can book love and all the things to read get in the way of true friendship? Or is being an introvert, especially a bookish one with a need to read, actually an asset over friendship troubles? Click through and read 3 reasons for a bookworm to become a friend. #book #books #booknerd #bookish #bookworm #bibliophile #booklove #introvert #friendship #truefriendship #friendshiptrouble #bookwormproblems #thingstoread #bookstoread #bookhumor #bookfunny #bookquotes #readmore #bookasthetic #bookshelf
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3 Tricks for Bookworms

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There are issues, Bookworm Problems, if you will, that can cause all manner of mischief in our “quiet” lives. What’s a nice book-loving person to do? Well, I’ve been a bookish type for a very long time, my friends, and I have 3 tricks for bookworms that I think might help in the following scenarios. (Bookworm Problems 1-3 can be found here.)

Bookworm problem: you’re holding a grudge

I remember my father rolling his eyes at me. “It’s just a story,” he might say, which would frustrate me to no end. Didn’t he have friends? Didn’t he worry about those friends and get upset if something bad happened to them? Well, these were my book friends and some evil author had arbitrarily wrecked their lives or even ENDED THEIR LIVES! I was distraught with good reason. Other bookworm friends and I would quietly (or in our most dramatic voices) wail over the loss.

My daughter pointed out to me the other day that there are characters that she doesn’t get upset about dying because she could tell from the beginning their only purpose in the story was to upset everyone with their unjust death. She did not attach herself because she knew goodbye was inevitable. But what about the beloved characters in Harry Potter, or the Hunger Games, or . . . please don’t tell me you’re a fan of Maze Runner! Good grief! If so, your heart may be in shreds. In such a series, it feels as though the author was intentionally killing people off to get a reaction out of us. And, they were. In certain genres, lots of people die.

Now, I write books and sadly, just like in real life, people die. My husband came home one day and asked how my day was and all I could do was complain about my frustrating characters. He reminded me that I was the author. I should just make them do what I wanted them to do. But I’m not that kind of author, my characters seem to possess their own free will.

Tricks for Bookworms #1–take your temperature

I guess the trick is as both an author and/or a reader to kinda recognize where you are emotionally–maybe even spiritually. Can you handle the type of story you are investing in? Maybe as readers we should beware certain genres when we are particularly vulnerable. Since I deal with depression and anxiety on a daily basis I have to monitor what I am reading. I take little breaks from different genres and switch it up with some cheesy romance or predictable mystery when I’m feeling down. It can act like a reset button.

But I’ll admit it. The best part of reading is the emotional roller-coaster. After all, my best friend is still mad at me for “killing off” her favorite character. (Like I said, sometimes people die. And it was the first novel I finished writing, so I might have been looking for a reaction.) I guess it can be satisfying to be angry at the author.

Bookworm problem: you might be a bit dramatic

This probably goes without saying, but most people think of bookworms as quiet librarians who sit silently turning pages. They think of us as shy, perhaps smart, but incapable of expressing emotions. (These are people who have never discussed authors we are angry at with us.) But the truth is, even my quietest, most introverted child is loud and dramatic about the plights of her favorite characters. She rages over poor decisions, unjust deaths, and hateful antagonists.

Since she is shy, I will not share her name, but I imagine her teachers saying something like, “________, loud? I can’t believe it!” Believe it, buster! All of us get loud and dramatic about whatever our characters are going through. We are connected to them, and honestly, I must return to this again, it’s not just a story.

Tricks for Bookworms #2–use storylines to explore feelings with family & friends

We recognize ourselves in the pages of the books we love. We see our own struggles, though our circumstances are different. (I sincerely HOPE your circumstances are not the same as those of Tobias in Divergent). We may make ourselves a wee bit scary when we express our somewhat violent feelings, but maybe if we tone it down slightly, we will find that what we are upset about has to do with something going on in our own lives.

The other day, when everyone was supposed to be getting ready to run out the door for karate, my daughters and I had a huge heart-to-heart about some choices that characters were making–because my daughters saw their friends making the same choices. It scared my daughters, they weren’t sure how to react. I’m glad they felt comfortable talking about fictional characters problems so we could also discuss real problems, namely, how to love and support your friends even when you don’t agree with everything they do. (Here’s a hint, if it’s legal and not hurting anyone, you can express your opinion, why you feel that way, and still show unconditional love. Tricky, but worthwhile. It doesn’t get easier when you’re an adult).

Bookworm problem: you discover you’re impatient

I would like to say that I have mastered this issue. But I haven’t. I loved the first two books in The Traitor’s Game. Waiting for number three due out spring 2020. Loved Nevermoor, can’t wait to read Wundersmith as soon as I can get it (update, it’s out now!), but there are three more after that she hasn’t even written yet. Is Jessica Townsend trying to kill me?

I know you know what I mean and that you have been here. You’re longing, you’re yearning, you’re waiting. And Netflix is no help since every series has less and less episodes, right?

Tricks for Bookworms #3–develop a long-term perspective

Here’s the funny part. Well, kinda funny. I now get it. It takes time to write books. Some authors are speedy, some are not. Would any of us want J.K. Rowling rushed when she was untangling a mess she had as she rewrote Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire? Certainly not! That series hinges on book 4. I’m grateful they pushed back the publication date to maintain the integrity of the work!

I am currently working through a series and I’m feeling a bit of that reader impatience. While I’m editing book three (update, it’s out now and you can start at book 1 for free!), I’m also outlining the next trilogy in the series. You see, I’ve already written the last book in the series and part of me just wants to hurry up and jump ahead there–but really, do I want to miss out on the adventures between here and there?

What if stressing about things we don’t have right away, we savor what we do have, enjoy the anticipation, take the time to discover new authors and different stories. Good glory! Since independent publishing became so popular there are literally millions of books in the English language to choose from on Amazon alone. And experts are predicting that AI will make translation so inexpensive and convenient that we will have millions of new titles very soon. Imagine that!

Wrapping things up

So, in conclusion, these pesky annoyances need not deter us from reading or enjoying our lives. They can actually be part of the fun. Now, it is very possible that most “normal” non-bookworm people won’t understand our brand of bookish fun, but that’s a whole different bookworm problem blog. And I’m sure I can dig up some more tricks for bookworms. Hmmm, we’ll have to see. Till then, have fun reading! And let me know what I should add to my TBR stack.

About JacQueline

As the author of  The Journey series, a young adult fantasy retelling Rapunzel’s misadventures, JacQueline also wrote Memoirs of a Headcase: Held by the God of Hope, to share hope in the battle against chronic pain and depression. Currently she lives in North Alabama with her karate husband and three book-crazy kids. All opinions expressed on this website come from her own experience. Do not substitute it for professional therapy or medical advice. Any affiliate links used on this website will provide additional income to JacQueline’s family at no additional cost to you.

If you are a reader wanting to connect with JacQueline, you can get a free book here. Each month you will receive book recommendations and other booknerd fun.

Are you a writer or an author looking for help? JacQueline has been writing all her life and loves meeting others who think writing is living. As an author coach, helping other writers on their journey gives her joy. Schedule your free coaching call to learn what steps you should take next now.

Bookshelf photography by: Ed Robertson, Janko Ferlic, and Henry Be

Graphic Design for Social Media: JacQueline Vaughn Roe (contact here to receive help you with your social media images.)

3 Tricks for Bookworms - authorjroe.com - Book nerd humor is essential when authors kill off your favorite characters, don’t write fast enough, and no one in your family understands your pain. Those in book fandoms will understand these 3 bookish problems too well. Let’s cry over amazing books and discover silly tricks to help us enjoy life. #bookwormproblems #booknerd #books #bookaddict #bookasthetic #bookspines #bookster #readabook #readingaddict #booksaremylife #booksbooksbooks #bookstack #booklover #bookishphotography #readersofinsta #fortheloveofreading #readmore #bookreader #alwaysreading #ilovetoread
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