I have reached a milestone insofar as I am officially ordained, an Episcopal clergywoman. With that, I have found that I have an interest in writing romances with a stronger inspirational edge.
That stronger edge began with my latest work in progress, the Wedding Bet: Lauren. Her book is third in the sweet and sensuous series, but it takes place in between Rick’s and Roger’s. I just turned in my latest draft to my editor.
Long before I became an Episcopalian, I was a liberal leaning Roman Catholic young woman raised in a conservative Catholic family. Women’s ordination pushed me towards Anglicanism and Mainline Protestantism.
I have company among a lot of former Roman Catholics drawn to our Catholic-style liturgy matched with our Protestant governance and theology. Nonetheless, I remember my conservative roots; I have relatives who are still in that camp. And so I wrote Lauren’s book with them in mind.
I was imagining before starting her book that I would continue the sweet and sensuous series with Kim’s book, but I find that I just don’t have the bandwith to do her book well. Instead, I’m inspired by some of the young women I met during the past three years I was in the ordination process.
My newer work in progress is based upon a young woman I met this year, a military officer who wants to become an Episcopal priest and serve as a military chaplain. Two young women in my formation group have inspired me to think about some new heroines: Natasha and Helena.
Will I return to the sweet and sensuous series? Perhaps, if I find that there is something that draws me back to Rick and Annelise’s world with their large circle of relatives, friends, and connections.
Copyright Barbara James. All rights reserved.
Barbara James 