Rhonda Runs for President - Virtual Luncheon - Part 7

I put my fork down and dab at my mouth with the napkin. "So we can get out of here prior to dinner, I'm going to skip the next question and move to the last one.

"What trial/error lessons have you learned along the way? Whoever is ready first, be my guest."

The two women look at each other, and Jen pipes up. "I have two  pieces of cake here, and neither of you are doing much to help me out. Rhonda, why don't you go first, while I attempt the impossible?"

Rhonda eats the last bite of her crostata, and nods. "When I started writing the column, I was afraid  people would get tired of hearing family stories. I do try to mix it up by bringing in a mother's take on politics. (I ran for president in 2008.) I've also written about sports (diaper changing should be an Olympic sport), current events, and anything else I can think of, but the bottom line is it's a lot of family stories. And it just resonates with people.

"They don't seem to get tired of it. They understand when I talk about the frustrations of keeping the pantry full, where do the socks go, and a boy's agony when his dog dies. They've experienced all these things themselves."

Jen and I nod our agreement. We women never get tired of family stories.

Rhonda continues. "It's funny, but the weeks that Mister and I both say, 'This one's good, but it's not our favorite,' very often generates the greatest laughter and emotion.

"It's also pushed me to work through the fear, trusting God to provide what's needed to do this job and finding the balance between enjoying reader feedback, but not loving it too much. Beth Moore says that God gives us callings that stir up our insecurities 'so He can scoop it out one spoonful at a time.' And I would have to say, 'Amen.'

"I'm turning my soapbox over to Jeanette now."

...to be continued.

Questions for the Reader: Both Jen and Rhonda use humor and family stories to reach the reader's heart. How do you give  your reader a rich, emotional experience?