When you look at the above picture, what description pops into your head?
Half-empty glass, or half-full?
Half-empty glass, or half-full?
If you said half-full, you’re probably an optimist, while the rest of us focused on the half-empty or negative side.
This idea is a theme I explore in my soon-to-be released Love Inspired Suspense, Shades of Truth. The hero works undercover in a youth detention center, and because he was once a young offender and now faces them day in and day out in his job, he is pessimistic about their rehabilitation prospects.
The heroine is quick to point out that he overcame his past to make something of his life. Why doesn’t he think others can, too?
Of course, he really hasn’t overcome his past. He’s merely spent the rest of his life trying to atone for it.
I watched a loved one be tormented by such guilt—unjustified guilt. No matter what anyone said, he couldn’t get the lie out of his head and forgive himself.
As I started writing Shades of Truth, I didn’t consciously set out to touch on this theme, but after answering numerous blog interview questions over the course of my book releases, I’ve come to realize that this need to break guilt’s bondage is a common underlying theme in many of my novels.
What does that have to do with my half-full glass analogy?
Well, because of his guilt, my hero brings a heart full of sadness and regret to those he counsels, instead of the hope the heroine and another pivotal character exude. It’s easy to tell someone that they need to forgive themselves and look on the bright side. It’s much harder to do.
Your turn: Has guilt over something you did, or said, or didn’t do, impacted your life? Were
you able to overcome the feelings? How?
you able to overcome the feelings? How?
I love to connect with readers, and have created some “extras” to enhance readers’ experience of my books. Check out these and other resources for both readers and writers at http://www.SandraOrchard.com.
GIVEAWAY
Until March 4th, enter to win a copy of Shades of Truth at Goodreads. Open to residents of US, Canada, Australia, and Great Britain
