Meet the Readers: Myra
Written by Emma McCoy
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Welcome to our interview series!
Until Advent, I’m going to be doing something a little different—interviewing blog readers about how they experience the blog, what they like and dislike, and where they think it should be going. By getting feedback from folks who consistently read and engage with the blog, I hope to garner some great feedback and ideas for what I can be doing next year. Sit back, relax, and enjoy some fun conversations with fabulous people.
Spring Church Blog Interview #3: MYRA McCoy
As the phone rang, I wished dearly that I’d remembered to speak to my grandmother while we’d been together in person the week before. However, that particular weekend was spent in Illinois with my youngest brother at his sophomore opera recital, so it was rather busy. And cold. I thought Bellingham got chilly in the winter, but I was swiftly corrected in Illinois.
A click on the other line. “Hello?”
My grandmother, Myra, has lovingly supported my writing from day one. A voracious reader, she helped to give me her love for the written word, and to this day one of the first questions she’ll ask when she sees me is, “what are you reading right now?” She’s read my novels, given me fantastic feedback I haven’t deserved, and is, I’m sure, responsible for at least half of my poetry book sales thanks to her relentless and loving promotion (the maternal figures in my life, Denise and Andrea, are responsible for the other half).
So naturally, Myra has been an early follower of the blog—I’ll admit, it’s really wonderful having your grandparents support you in just about every creative endeavor.
“[The blog] is easy to understand, and it’s very practical,” Myra said. “You are willing to be vulnerable there, which is helpful.”
She explained that when someone, whether they’re a writer or a pastor, is trying to communicate a message, it can be easier to remember when it involves a degree of vulnerability. The personal connection is then empathized with, making the impact that much more powerful. There’s something to be said for personal and simple.
“Even though you have a great grounding in theology,” she continued, “you’re not using big theological terms that I have to go look up.”
She mentioned that she shared the blog a long time ago with her friends Bonnie and Leslie, and they tune in fairly frequently, sometimes mentioning a particular week they like. Myra has also talked about it with her small group a few times.
After interviewing a couple of folks, I’m learning that readers generally like talking about the blog rather than sharing it digitally. Interesting…
When asked about preferring the short stories versus theological reflections, Myra leaned toward the reflections, but was quick to balance out her answer.
“I think, unlike your grandfather, I probably prefer not the short stories,” she said. “However, I like them—I really like the Easter series, the one I think you did for a couple of weeks where you’re writing as if you were this small boy. I like that one a lot. But, especially this last time, when you go back to the same characters, it takes me a minute because I don’t remember who the characters were from the last time.”
That is a very valuable piece of feedback! As the person writing the short stories, I have the luxury of re-reading the old ones, plus I have the advantage of being the person who makes all these characters up. It hadn’t occurred to me that it would be quite difficult to keep track of who is who and what their story is. Much to consider here.
Myra thought short stories could be a good direction for the blog to go for Advent, but maintained that there isn’t a lot more she wants from the blog. “I like where you go with it, and I'm glad you’re doing it and not me.”
Do you read the blog regularly? Are you interested in sharing your thoughts with me? If so, shoot me an email at emmamccoywrites@gmail.com. Have a great week, everyone! Stay tuned for next week, an interview with another dedicated reader, my grandmother Myra!
Follow us on Instagram @springchurchbellingham and here on the blog for new stories every week!
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About the author
Spring Church member, Emma McCoy (M.A.), has two poetry books: This Voice Has an Echo (2024) and In Case I Live Forever (2022). She’s been published in places like Across the Margin, Stirring Literary, and Thimble Mag. She reads for Chestnut Review and Whale Road Review. She’s probably working on her novel right now. Catch her on Substack: https://poetrybyemma.substack.com/