Joy Dekok: Rain Dance
Book Club Discussion

Book Club Discussion: Interview with Joy Dekok

I was surprised to find out that Jonica was only 24 years old. Why did you make her so young?

I didn't – she came that age. My original outline (if you can all it that) says she is twenty-something. As the story went along, she was suddenly 24 and it fit.

Book Club Discussion: Interview with Joy Dekok

You created Eve with such deep secrets. Why was that so important to the story?

I knew in my heart of hearts the woman wasn't all bad. Like all women, and fictional characters, she was complex. I wasn't getting anywhere with her and had come to a total block with her, so I interviewed her. I was surprised at what she told me when I stepped out of the author role and into Diane Sawyer's shoes. It was a fun exercise – one I'm sure I'll use again when stuck.

Book Club Discussion: Interview with Joy Dekok

If you didn't have your faith, how would your reactions to your infertility and to Stacie's situation have been different?

I can't say for sure, but it was my dream from the time I was 3 years old to have babies so not being able to have them I would have grieved no matter what. My first experience with abortion came when I was 14. A classmate with an older boyfriend got pregnant. Her parents insisted on her having an abortion and took her out of state to get it. I watched her grieve and I ached for her loss. In my heart even then (this was before my personal faith decision) I believed abortion was wrong. It bothered me so much I finally talked to my parents about it. Although I was not sexually active, I wanted to know if they'd force me to get an abortion too. They assured me they would support any decision I made. For me, being pro-life came before I was a believer.

Book Club Discussion: Interview with Joy Dekok

What symbolism does dancing in the rain have for you? Does it mean something different for Jonica? For Stacie?

I've always enjoyed walking in the rain and jumping in puddles. I love the way the wet air feels when breathed in and the way it smells and even feels on my skin. There's always been something clean about rain to me. I've also found that when deeply hurt, I can walk in the rain and it mingles with the tears on my cheeks and I find that strangely comforting. First I thought the girls enjoyed a rainbow after a rain – it seemed like a neat way to tie up the story, but it felt "lite" somehow. As I searched my heart for why, a memory came back to me – my favorite rain dance ever. I was about 10 years old when a friend and I were playing outside on a hot summer day. A small black cloud opened up on us and for a few moments we danced in the rain. Then, we realized it was only raining in her front yard. Then, we danced in and out of the rain until the little cloud simply stopped raining on us. I added this to the story still not sure if it fit. A friend and I were having breakfast out when she shared Ezekiel 36:25-26 with me. This verse fleshed out the chapter and completed the book.

Book Club Discussion: Interview with Joy Dekok

Although Jonica was based partly on your experiences, would you have been able to befriend Stacie the same way and at the same time as Jonica?

I did. Although we were only 19 when we married, and had only been married a few months, Jon and I decided we wanted babies right away. At the same time a woman I loved dearly called to tell me she was pregnant and was going to have an abortion. She called me after the procedure and we cried together. She trusted me to love her before and after her choice and I did. When Jon and I began our journey through infertility testing, women in my life continued to choose abortion. It was hard – I wanted to conceive and they terminated their pregnancies. It didn't make a lot of sense to me, but it was the way it was. I know me and believe this love is God-inspired. I'm so human – I am not capable of loving like this on my own. These women are loved by a redeemed heart.

Book Club Discussion: Interview with Joy Dekok

Can you tell us what you are working on now?

Until a couple of days ago, I was working on mystery series about a woman very unlike me. Then, while cleaning the house (it happened the exact same way last time!) the girls started talking to me again. I've been thinking about them for a few months and they always seemed so much older and they are. I worried about this for a little while the other day, then remembered, the characters drive this story and it's up to me to listen to them. So, 50 they are. Chapters of Sun Dance are falling on to the pages at a surprising rate. It's fun to hang out with them again. I didn't know there would be a sequel – it wasn't in my plan. I'm 50 now so once again, this is up close and personal. Honestly, I think the girls are way cooler now. I hope readers will agree.