The Importance of a "Ping-Moment" with Katie Ganshert

Casey here: I'm so thrilled to host Katie today on our blog! A fantastic writer, avid blogger and all-around super woman to many who know her, Katie has completely impressed me with her amazing and stunning debut novel and her ability to connect with people through her blog on a heart level. Be sure and leave a comment at the end of the  post, answering Katie's question and you'll be entered to win a copy of Wildflowers from Winter in celebration of this, it's debut release month! Here is Katie...

The other day, I was reading this devotional my church published. It was about generosity. Super good stuff. And I came across something simple, yet profound.

It was a story of a girl who used to play Monopoly with her grandma. They’d have fun trying to get the best properties and lots of money so they could buy hotels and houses to put on those properties.

Every time when the game ended, this girl’s grandmother would look at her and say, “Remember, honey. At the end of the game, it all goes back in the box.”

Such a valuable life lesson, isn’t it?

Of course, my writer brain kicked in. It’s impossible for me to let a lesson just be a lesson. I’m constantly applying my lessons to my writing life.

And this particular got me wondering….

Am I putting those golden nuggets of wisdom in my novels?

Am I giving at least one person something profound to say? Something that won’t just be revolutionary to my main character, but to my readers too.

You know, that little ping that makes a person stop and think.

Am I giving my readers that ping?

Here’s the thing about the ping (oh boy, that rhymes)

Keep it Simple

Oftentimes, the more understated something is, the more powerful it can be. So when we’re giving a character something profound to say, I think it’s wise to ask if we can have them say it simply.

Not a lecture. Not a grandiose speech. Nothing eloquent or flowery. Keep it short and sweet and impactful.

Make it Interesting

I’m not talking about the words, here. I’m talking about the who.

Sure, I could give Grandma the wise words. Or the pastor. Or the mentor. But how original is that?

How much more fun is it if we give those golden nuggets to somebody altogether unexpected? Like a little kid or the quirky neighbor or here’s a stretch: the bad guy.

Let’s Talk: Are you putting ping-moments in your novels?

Katie Ganshert was born and raised in the Midwest, where she writes stories about finding faith and falling in love. When she’s not busy plotting her next novel, she enjoys watching movies with her husband, playing make-believe with her wild-child of a son, and chatting with her girlfriends over bagels. She and her husband are in the process of adopting from the Congo. You can find her online at her blog and on Facebook.  

About the novel...

Bethany Quinn was happy to leave her small town ten years ago to create a new, successful life. But when tragedies strike at home, she is forced to return and face the pain of her childhood. Out of options, Bethany tries to find a place where love and faith make sense again.

Don't forget! Leave a comment to be entered to win this stunning debut by Katie! Not to be missed!