Daily Answers: Emotional Connection

​I have been writing and submitting to agents and publishers for about twenty-five years. Many of the rejection letters I've received say, "I wasn't able to connect." Today I gained a better understanding of that seemingly ambiguous statement.

This week I'm attending the 2020 Storymakers Virtual Conference. I participated in the first pre-session yesterday and learned from Jennifer Nielsen. She is amazing! I had the privilege to work with her at a Children's Literature Conference in Boise a few years ago. I took her to several school presentations in the valley. She is a great writer, and she is compassionate and inspiring. I was impressed by her presentations which were uplifting and encouraging, but I was even more impressed with the personal attention she gave to each student during the book signings. She was genuine and kind. Jennifer was also encouraging to me about my writing.

During the session yesterday, Jennifer shared that after being rejected many times, she re-examined her writing and discovered that she needed to include more emotion in her books. Today for my scripture study, I asked the question, "What does my writing need?" I already knew that my writing also needs more emotion, but through my scripture study I was able to gain a deeper understanding of why. I read Mosiah 14 which is my favorite chapter in the scriptures. Abinadi taught Isaiah 53 which is about the Savior's mission and atonement told in beautiful language. Here are the words which caught my attention this time, "grief, sorrows, wounded, bruised, despised, rejected, oppressed, healing, pleasure." Strong, emotional words for what Jesus Christ experienced on this earth so that he could connect with us. C.S. Lewis said, "We read to know we are not alone." Stories allow us to connect and the emotion in stories allows for a stronger connection. Jesus Christ experienced our sorrows so that he can not only connect with us, but so that he can succor us and heal us.
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Today in my scripture study, I learned the importance of emotional connection in stories and was taught through the spirit a deeper understanding of how "with his stripes we are healed" (Mosiah 14:3-5).