When setting out to write a book, there are many aspects that need to be considered. What is the story about? Who are the characters? The plot? The theme? All the components that, as an author, we sit down and consider before we even begin to type the first page in our story.

Since there are genres in fiction, the answers to these questions depend on if you are writing a romance, or a mystery or even a comedy. Or a combination of those topics. I’ve written in a few different genres, but today I want to focus on romance.

As in any genre, there are degrees to which you can tell your story. In romance, the swing is from inspirational or Christian to very steamy content. I write for the Harlequin Heartwarming line, which are wholesome romance novels. In the wholesome line, I get to focus on and spend time in the emotions of my characters. When I decided to make writing my career, I knew it would be romance and telling stories about love. And while I may not write in the Christian realm, I still focus on topics that are Christian centered. Forgiveness. Second chances. Hope. Most of all, love. The things that enhance our lives.

As I was coming up with a new proposal for my publisher, I knew I wanted the books to be about four sisters who were estranged. From book to book, they would reconnect with each other while also searching for ways to heal the trauma that had separated them. At the heart of each story, my female protagonists would have to forgive a very important person in all their lives. Could they do it? Did they want to do it? Sometimes, it is easier said than done.

But for those of us who follow Christ, we strive to be better. If that means forgiving someone who has hurt us, then we must try.

And since writing a book is never as easy as it might seem, I have to stay true to the format and include a love story that will also make my characters stretch and grow. Put them in a different place than when I first started the book.

I could have taken a different topic, like hope, and based my theme on it, but for some reason, forgiveness took center stage, and I went with it. I was able to flesh out my characters knowing this was their goal as I worked forgiveness into the plot. Sure, my characters would have to do a lot of soul searching, but isn’t that why we love to read books that tackle tough subjects? Life isn’t always easy, so I couldn’t make the conflict in my character’s lives that simple to solve.

This is why I love to write big stories. To dig in and figure out why people behave the way they do, how they can rise above the challenges to become better people, not only for themselves, but most importantly, for others. And the reward? Love. The one thing we all want in our lives.

So now I’m waiting to hear if the editors will accept my proposal. Patience, another virtue that is tough to master, is key, but in the waiting, we discover a lot about ourselves and our relationship with God. I give everything that I write to the Lord, hoping for His guidance when I address difficult topics. I want His wisdom not only in my daily life, but in the pages that I write. To me, that’s what being an author is all about.

Tara Randel is an award-winning, USA Today bestselling author. Family values, a bit of mystery and of course, love and romance, are her favorite themes, because she believes love is the greatest gift of all. For more information about her books, visit Tara at www.tararandel.com. Like her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/TaraRandelBooks. Sign up for Tara’s Newsletter.