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19 May 2013

Jaime Wright Sundsmo Interviewed by Carrie Fancett Pagels



JAIME WRIGHT is the administrator of Coffee Cups & Camisoles and a member of the Christian Fiction Historical Society blog. She writes historical romance with a suspenseful slant and is a member of ACFW.

JAIME, welcome to Overcoming With God.  We appreciate your willingness to share your testimony of overcoming with our readers. 

Would you tell us about the most difficult thing in your life you have had to overcome, with God’s help? (transparency appreciated!)
Bringing out the big guns in the first question, huh? Well, there are a lot of trials I could draw from, but most recently it was the year 2012. Typically, the birth of a newborn is a good thing, but in April after my son was born, I was hit very hard with postpartum depression. I was a high risk case for it because my first three pregnancies ended up being miscarriages and my daughter was in the NICU for the first bit of her life. My son’s birth was 100% normal. The doctor said I’d probably be traumatized by normality and have a huge mood swing down from expecting and preparing for trauma. He was right. By the end of my son’s first week of life I was concocting ways to have my sister-in-law adopt him or even leave him on the hospital doorstep. I had no emotional bond to him whatsoever—he was an interruption, a betrayal of my affection to my daughter, and an exhausting addition to our lives. After my sister-in-law interpreted my emotion, my husband hurried me off to the doctor to get assistance and get me back on my feet. During this time, my husband was going through a bout of his chronic insomnia and average 8 hours of sleep a week. I was bit by a deer tick and contracted Lyme’s disease. My daughter went through major separation anxiety with the entrance of her brother and became prone to tantrums and long hours of tears.

It was a difficult year but a phenomenal one as well. The grace of God is exceptional and receiving nothing but support and understanding from a network of friends and family only bolstered the sense of humility in being able to receive help and love and assistance.

My Lyme’s disease is now cured. My son is a mommy’s boy and I can hardly be without him he’s so dear to my heart. My daughter loves on her brother and refuses to let anyone “be mean to him” and my husband has upped his weekly amount of sleep to ten hours (so we could still use prayer there!)

What is your favorite bible verse and why?
Sheesh. I have a lot but the most poignant one lately has been Psalm 46:10 – “Be still and know that I am God”. I have a habit of talking my way out of problems, controlling, planning and KNOWING what I need to do. This verse has been a slap upside the head to shut up, sit back, and let God be GOD!

What has been the most important thing you hope your readers will get from your blogs and why?
I’d love for readers to connect with a healthy sense of community—the sort of fellowship that blesses and bolsters us on a daily basis. It’s been such a great place for me to find some rest and peace in the midst of a hectic life—I hope I can offer the same in return.

As you researched your manuscripts, did you learn anything that particularly touched your heart?
Tons. Usually my research is very historically inclined, but along with it I put myself in the shoes of those who lived in that time and a million potential Spiritual themes arise. Those are always challenging for me because so often, I’m going through similar experiences.

In this latest work, do you have any topics that will be useful for bibliotherapy, or therapeutic influence through reading about a disorder or situation?  
Not so much medically, but Spiritually I’d say yes. My latest manuscript addresses the issue of extreme legalism and lack of grace that comes with a hard past. In an effort to protect from the bad choices we made or experienced, we create laws and rules while eliminating the grace of God. Hopefully, my readers (when I have them!) will be able to engage in growing in their Spiritual well-being through my books. While I write for entertainment, I also pray that each novel has a lesson and theme that can be applied to our Spiritual walk.

Thank you JAIME for agreeing to answer these questions.  Have a blessed day and keep on writing!!

Find Jaime at: 
http://coffeecupsandcamisoles.blogspot.com
facebook.com/JaimeWrightBooks
twitter.com/jaime_wright



GIVEAWAY: It is Karen Witemeyer week and we’ll be giving away the winner’s choice of any of Karen’s books, choice of format.

77 comments:

  1. Loved this interview. Exstreem legalism is a great concern when trying to get others to see Christ and his Grace.
    Linda Finn
    faithfulacres7@gmail.com

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    1. Thank you for coming by, LINDA! I have been in churches like that and I quite agree. If we were to follow an extreme set of rules such as in parts of the Old Testament or man made rules, Jesus would not have had to die on the cross. Not that liberty gives us an occasion to sin, though.

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    2. Legalism has been an intriguing issue to cover in historical fiction. It existed even then and makes for a very interesting hero! ;)

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  2. Another great interview Carrie. I especially appreciated the sharing of Jaime's experience in the past year of postpartum depression and all that accompanied that year for herself & her husband. I have personally never experienced postpartum depression, but know that it is a real situation & I applaud Jaime for talking about her experience with it and pray that maybe someone else will find her sharing to help them in dealing with postpartum depression.

    It seems that trials like this often include other things, making it a year of awful situations to endure, and making it a year that nobody would ever want to repeat. (I had a year like that in 1994 that included teen rebelliousness, & breast cancer among other things) and God also brought me and my family through, just as He did with Jaime and her family. What a great God we have! He never said we would ever have a trial-free life, but that He would be WITH us THROUGH all of it!
    I am intrigued with the idea of a character in a story dealing with extreme legalism vs. Grace & would like to read this book. I would also like to be entered in this drawing.
    Vicki OWG
    vmarney(at)hotmail(dot)com

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    1. Thanks for sharing, VICKI. It seems the Amish books deal with this struggle alot. I wonder if many of the Amish in reality deal with it or if it just makes for good reading? In the book I just sent you, you will read about this very same type of struggle with the characters.

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    2. Trials do seem to come in spades, but the God's grace comes even stronger! It's a blessing to have His touch in our lives, isn't it?

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  3. Enjoyed this interview; praying God's blessings on you and your family, Jaime!
    Thanks for the giveaway of Karen's book......love her books!
    Jackie Smith
    jackie.smith[at]dishmail[dot]net

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    1. KAREN is such a wonderful author, JACKIE. I so agree!

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    2. Thanks!! Blessings back and yeah, Karen is one of my ALL TIME favorites!

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  4. Thank you for being our guest this week on OWG, JAIME! We appreciate you for sharing what had to have been a very dark time in your life. It encourages others to hear these testimonies of God's faithfulness and provision during trying times when it seems as though "when it rains it pours." Have been through times like that as well and seen how the mighty hand of God worked, but at the time it was so dark it seemed as though He was nowhere around.

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    1. He walks us through the valleys, doesn't He? thanks so much for having me! :)

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  5. good interview, God is always there when we need him

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  6. Thanks for the interview ladies!
    would love to win one of Karen's books.

    pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  7. Enjoyed Jamie's interview!! Jamie and her family have my prayers. I'm sure her book would be a great read. Please enter me in your contest!! Thank you for the opportunity to participate!!
    Barbara Thompson
    barbmaci61(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. BARBARA, always a delight to see you! Thank you for the prayers for JAIME and her family, and add the rest of us here at OWG to your list please! Blessings~

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    2. Yes, THANK YOU for the prayers!!! We need prayer warriors in our lives!

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  8. Sorry for the really hard time you had to go through Jaime, but so glad that you found GOD right there with you to see you through. It is hard sometimes to turn loose of our problems and give them completely to HIM. I read this part in a poem once. He said You brought your problem to me, but you never turned it loose. I think this is sometimes my trouble. And, hoping your husband will start sleeping better very soon. Right now I'm dealing with being sick and wrecking my car. No other vehicle or person involved, thank GOD, but just in the dumps. Mainly because they said it was totaled because of damage underneath. So now my son is looking for another car for me. I thought just would be without until it could be repaired. Please pray my son will find me a good used in my range. Know will need some money to go with my Ins. money. I would love to win one of Karen's books. Thanks Carrie for this interview and chance to win a book. Love all of you OWG girls. MAXIE

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    1. MAXIE, I'm so sorry that happened to you but thankful you weren't hurt. Sometimes we get something taken away from us so that God can give us something better. So we will be praying you up a car that you really love that's within your budget, dear lady. We all love you, too!

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    2. Oh wow! So glad you were hurt! scary stuff and no fun :( But yes, HE is still STRONG during our trials. praying you can rest in Him tonight.

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  9. It is often during the most trying years of our life that God speaks to us & we realize the extent of His love & grace - after living my life "my way" (years ago) & realizing that my situation was only getting worse & I couldn't "fix" it, I renewed my relationship with Him. That's not to say that I have had no problems since then - there have been many, but He has given me the strength to endure them peacefully. So glad to hear that you are having a less difficult year, Jaime!

    Thanks for the giveaway opportunity!

    bonnieroof60@yahoo.com

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    1. BONNIE, thank you for sharing that with us! I don't know how people endure afflictions without God in their lives.

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    2. Don't we all try to "fix" it? And then fall miserably shy of repairs. Glad you've been able to lean on Christ and see His handiwork through the trials

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  10. Nice interview. I'm sorry that 2012 was so difficult for you. Praise God that you had/have support from your loved ones and of course God Himself.

    cindialtman(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Hi, CINDI! That is something to be sooo thankful for. Because I don't feel alot of support from my loved ones (family) except hubby and daughter, since my illness started. But from God, very much so!

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    2. Friends and family make the road a little bit easier to travel, that's for sure! Even just one or two helps! Like Joshua holding up Moses' arms ...

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  11. Jaime, thank you for being so open about your struggles last year. I'm thankful things are on an even keel now, except for your husband's insomnia. I can't even imagine existing on ten hours of sleep a week! I'm also thankful that God is with us as we go through trials and we often come out even better than before, since He has strengthened us more.
    We can hope and pray your work will be published; your themes sound good. I read to be entertained, but I also grow through reading Christian fiction since most authors skillfully weave in spiritual lessons through the story.

    pmk56[at]sbcglobal[dot]net

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    1. I, too, have grown alot reading Christian fiction, PAM, not to mention I've learned so many things regarding historical facts that I never knew. It's great!

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    2. I don't know how he exists on 10 hrs a week of sleep either! :P Exhausting. But the Lord gives him strength, that's for sure. Hopefully one of these days you can read one of my books too -- meanwhile we've no shortage of great authors to read! Namely - Karen Witemeyer!

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  12. That was quite a traumatic year. glad to hear that things are looking up.

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    1. Yeah, it was rough, but it's great to look back and see God's handiwork

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  13. Thank you for sharing. You did have your fair share of trials.

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    1. we all do in one way or another. I think the Lord allows us to be "stretched" so we draw nearer to Him in the process and grow in humility.

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  14. Jaime, Bless you for being so open and honest about your struggle after your son was born. I understand that PPD is pretty horrible for some women. I'm thankful to have never experienced it much at all, if any. So glad you received help and that things are going better. Not sure how your husband manages on 10 hrs a week. That has got to be exhausting for all of you. I will say a prayer for rest!

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    1. THANK YOU for the prayer of rest. My husband is a youth pastor and the stay-at-home dad since most the youth stuff is in the evenings ... so yes, prayer would be fabulous!

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  15. I enjoyed reading the interview about Jaime Wright. Psalm 46:10 is my verse also. I have a tendency to either lead, follow, or get out of my way. I know exactly what she is talking about.
    I would love to win one of Karen's books. It doesn't matter which one but would prefer paperback.
    Thanks!
    Janet E.
    von1janet(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. lead, follow, or get out my way -- that's hilarious and typically my ever-so-wrong mantra! I relate, Library Lady! May we claim Ps 46:10 this week!

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  16. JAIME thank you for sharing with us on OWG this week. Your testimony of Overcoming your PPD was very touching, I am so glad you received the help you needed. I can sympathize with your husband, I don't sleep very much either but I believe he has me beat with only 10 hours a week, I'll be praying he can get some rest. Psalms 46:10 is a great scripture but can be a hard one to follow, it's so easy to forget that GOD is in control of our lives and HE ALWAYS KNOWS BEST!!

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    1. Thx for the prayers. and praise the Lord that He always knows best -- not sure what I'd do without Him!

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  17. Jaime, so glad to have you on. Thanks so much for sharing your testimony with us! I am at the Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference where I am representing The Book Club Network. Great to see so many folks commenting!!!

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    1. Thx Carrie and have fun at Blue Ridge! That's one I've wanted to go to someday!

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  18. I do love the fellowship that developes between the author and readers. You actually feel the friendship and look forward to their accomplishments.

    Love Karen's books!

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    1. Isn't that so true? When I get emails back from published authors I get all giddy inside :) They're so personable!

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  19. I can't even imagine how hard that must have been. I'm glad most of you are doing better. shopgirl152nykiki(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. Doing better and smiling :) thx for dropping by!

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  20. Oh, JAIME, like Veronica above, I cannot even imagine how difficult that year must have been, but am rejoicing with you that God restored your home and your heart!!

    Thank you, Carrie, for another beautiful and inspirational look into a young woman's life who always seems so happy and up on the Web. Your interviews are always so in depth and amazing.

    Hugs,
    Julie

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    1. Thx Julie :) God is the King of restoration and the heart protector! And out of it, I got the most drop dead gorgeous little charmer who smothers me in slobber kisses every morning. (Best type of kissin' if you ask me!) :)

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  21. Wow thanks for the honesty! I cannot imagine! Love seeing how God was there!
    God bless!

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    1. I love seeing how God is there in the midst of storms. Sometimes on the front of the ship stopping the storms and other times resting below deck but still very much in charge.

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  22. Thank you for your honesty, Jamie! And so good to get to know you! Will also pray for you husbuand - I can relate to that cuz my husband is also suffering from insomnia.
    Blessings!

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    1. Ah ha! So you're familiar with gray pallor and swollen eye look then? Not fun is it? Prayers back at you for your hubby!

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  23. Lovely to have you share your encouraging testimony of overcoming here on OWG, JAIME! Great to meet you too! :)
    That sounds like such a difficult year for you and your family, and boy do I know about those tough years or seasons and am so thankful that God is our anchor and brings us through!! I have no idea though how your husband lives on 10 hours a week, somehow that seems like a miracle in itself! ;) Will be praying for him Jamie. Btw, you have such a lovely smile! :)

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    1. Noela, thx! My daughter says my smile is silly or coo-coo (she's 3), so it's nice hear "lovely" now and then. LOL Good to meet you here! :)

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  24. I can't imagine having postpartum depression that bad. I suffered from it just a little bit after my first baby. My husband was getting ready to deploy and I had just moved across country from Montana to North Caroline after being in Montana my whole life. At the time it seemed like it would never end.

    I really enjoy Karen's books and would LOVE to win her newest.
    Melissa
    Battles2001@hotmail.com

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    1. OH how did you ever leave Montana? My all time favorite state! That would be rights for suffering right there. Thanks to you and your hubby for your service to our Nation!

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  25. Oh Jaime, what a wonderful testimony! I can't believe you have gone thru all that. God has given you wonderful strength. Thank you for opening up to us and helping us to remember we do need God's help every day of our lives!
    Susan P
    farmygirl at hotmail dot com

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    1. Every day, every hour, every minute -- it's a wonderful place to be, isn't it?

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  26. Wow, what a great testimony! God is truly faithful, and looking back at all He's done over the course of a year is always amazing to see. =)

    Thanks for the great giveaway! Looking forward to reading more of Karen's books!

    lubell1106(at)gmail(dot)com

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  27. Wow! Jamie, my husband and I were never blessed with children, but I can identify with your husband as I have suffered from insomnia off and on thru my life. Thanks so much for your testimony. I am so glad that things are much better in your life.

    Thanks for the chance to win. I love Karen's books!

    Debbie Clark

    debbiemcla(at)msn(dot)com

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    1. Insomnia is a true trial. It's amazing how many people do suffer from it. Hope you find periods of respite!

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  28. Beautiful testimony, Jaime. Thank you so much for sharing this story with us. Finding out about another author's struggles, to me, seems to make me want to read their books. Somehow, sharing concerns, difficult circumstances, and a wonderful testimony makes authors more human, their work more accessible. Joy Ross Davis

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    1. it is interesting how "human" we become when we share trials, isn't it? It takes us all to a place of humbling and realization of how much we need our Lord! Thx for coming Joy!

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  29. Excellent interview. Thank you for being so transparent with your answer, Jaime. I could relate on various levels. The Lord has used the ups and downs we have gone through in recent years to teach me many lessons (some of which you shared) regarding "seasons". I've learned how He works in seasons in our life, always looking for what is best for us, even if we may not see it at the time and fight it all the way. Thank you again for sharing. I click on the links to connect with you and look forward to doing soon.

    Also, thank you for the chance to win! I love Karen's books, as well.

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    1. Hey Ritty! Yep I saw you over on my FB page. good to connect up with you and share life!

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  30. BTW - Carrie, I click on the Pinterest link for your at the top of your page and the link did not work.

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  31. Wow, sorry for all the crazy typos. I'm pretty sure they were not there when I agreed to submit my comments. :-)

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    1. oh I'm the queen of typos! Ask my crit partners!

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  32. Jamie and Ladies, loved the interview . It seems like Jamie has really been through a lot . Jamie I loved your testimony and telling about your postpartum depression . Proud to see that you held onto faith and God to get you through. Thanks for everything. Would love to win one of Karen's books. I love reading her books.
    Blessings
    lizd225(at)gmail(dot)com

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  33. Wow, that was a beautiful show of God's faithfulness! Thanks for sharing! I'm so glad to see that you're doing well again...Amen to that!

    Thanks for the giveaway! I'm a big fan of Karen's and can't wait to read her new release!

    Emreilly303(At)gmail(d0t)com

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    1. Karen's books are ridiculously good! I can't wait to get my hands on her new one!

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  34. Jamie, this was a very moving and inspiring interview. I remember feeling so inadequate after my daughter was born that I was imagining placing her with some other more "deserving" couple. She was a NICU baby and her brother a year before her, too. I guess I must have had post partum, now that I look back. Thank you for your transparency. It is so good to see the Lord work and move through family and friends, and proof now that "this too shall pass". Bless you!

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  35. I love Karen's books!!!!!!!!! Can't wait to read her new release-Stealing the Preacher!

    marissamehresman(at)aol(dot)com

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