Those who are as devoted to the written word as I am undoubtedly have a favorite author, or even several favorites. And they all most likely want to meet and have a little chat with that author, or at least write them a letter. Since I cant seem to find an address for my favorite author, this will have to suffice. Besides, it is part of my road to being a writer, so it seems a fitting thing to write, I think.
Dear Mr. Lund,
I am a devoted reader and aspiring writer who deeply wants to express her gratitude and awe to such an author as you. You don’t know it, but you have left a great impression on my life, and I am only eighteen years old. So I am writing to you, with the same feelings a young child has when writing to Santa Claus. I am going to try to put into words what exactly I would like to say to you if ever I got the marvelous chance to meet one such as you.
I feel like I have grown up with your books, namely, The Work and the Glory and Fire of the Covenant. And I want you to know that they have been on the top of my favorites list for quite awhile. I can still remember when my dad played the tapes of Pillar of Light on one of our car rides, in an attempt to stifle the bickering I am sure. I was too young to really understand, or sadly, care what it was. But years later I still remember that the description and the words I heard as I drifted off to sleep were almost magical. And that is how I still feel, after many times reading your books.
Your writing may not be a fantastical tale of witches and wizards or magic carpets and fire- breathing dragons, but, nevertheless, it is entirely magical to me. When I first read The Work and the Glory, I was a little seventh grader. Yes, I was 12. Looking back, it was probably some really heavy reading for me, but I devoured it all. In fact, I read so much, and so fast, that I ended up winning a reading contest, with the sole help of your incredible tale, Mr. Lund.
Now, a short six years later, as a freshman at Utah State University, I know that your books will always be among my absolute favorites. As a reward of finishing my first ever semester of higher education, I let myself read a novel, just for fun. And I chose to reread Fire of the Covenant. (Yes, I know an immense tear- fest.) I have read it an innumerable amount of times, but every time I read it I still marvel at how much your words, and the events you portray, really get to me. Your immortal sentences seem to resound in my head year- round, and I am always wondering, “What would the Steeds think about this?” or “Couldn’t I marry a man Like Eric Pederson, so gentle, so chivalrous?” and Lydia McBride Steed is one of my biggest role models. I think she is one of your best characters (although they are all pretty great).
As I mentioned before, I am a wannabe writer, and I have come to think of reading your books as a sort of research experiment. I like to read them to familiarize myself with brilliant writing, the kind I hope to produce myself one day. Historical fiction is my favorite genre of writing. There is just something about learning while you read fiction that I am entirely hooked on. But, while in the midst of this research experiment, I lose myself in the enjoyment of those stories! I cannot fully say just how much I enjoy the plots, and those heart- wrenching moments. They are so special. After finishing The Fire of the Covenant, I started The Work and the Glory, because I just couldn’t resist. So now, I am halfway into Volume 2. I am getting closer and closer to the part where Nathan gives his baby son a blessing, and in it naming the young boy after the Steed’s lost brother, Joshua. That right there is one of those sweet moments that just make me cry. And you do it so well Mr. Lund. I can hardly handle the anticipation until I read that part again.
Now, to come to one of the main reasons I want to write, I want to tell you about my own project plans. One of the characters you featured in your books, specifically Volume 4; Thy Gold To Refine, is an ancestor of mine, Amanda Barnes Smith. When my dad told me about that, I was so excited. She was one of those who I loved reading about the most. Her spiritual strength, and the amount of faith she held in the power of prayer inspired me so much. In fact, recently I have come to decide that her story will be the one that I would like to feature in a novel of my own. Without full out copying your brilliance, my challenge for myself is to write her story, loosely based off of your own writing style but make it unique to mine. It may be a several year project while I am still in school, but it is what I want to do. That is why I have held onto your books so desperately. As I build up my ability in writing, I think of them as my textbooks, and you my teacher, or mentor. And my blog is my weekly exercise in developing that ability. Along with rereading your books a ridiculous amount of times, I have been diving into the story, trying to discover it all and imagining it in a novel form.
Without seeming too self-important in my grand plans, I just wanted to say that you, Mr. Lund, are extremely inspiring. I can tell that your understanding of the Gospel is way beyond the normal, and you have made me understand the gospel even more, and made me adore Joseph Smith and the Restoration and the ever faithful Saints. I guess my mind is one of those that need history played out, with all its drama and emotion, to fully understand, and comprehend it. So I am ever thankful for your genius. You must have received inspiration straight from God to write those books, just for my benefit. But I know that it is way bigger than just me. I know that the whole world benefits from your inspiration, and that is proof of God’s all-knowing power. He knew that your books could change the world. And they do. They change it in a million tiny ways, in a million people’s whole world. They may not be as life-changing as the actual events they depict, but in their own special way, they do change lives.
So, Mr. Lund, I was just writing to say, thank you so very much. Thank you for giving me the Steed’s, and Maggie McKensie and Eric Pederson. And thanks for inspiring me to write my own story. And thanks for being absolutely awesome.
Sincerely, your biggest fan and best reader,
Amanda In Logan
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