Writer Wednesday: Guest author Jennifer Slattery! (and a giveaway!)

Happy Writer Wednesday!

Today I welcome author Jennifer Slattery, whom I met about 10 years ago at my first ACFW conference.

A busy lady, Jennifer is not only multi-published and award-winning in both fiction and non-fiction, but is also involved in several ministries, as well.

Welcome, Jennifer!

An Interview with Jennifer Slattery

What inspired you to write, initially, and what encouraged you to continue?

I’ve always enjoyed reading and writing, and spent a lot of time journaling and processing the world through poetry as a kid. Once I became an adult and got plugged into a local church, I started using my writing for ministry. I wrote parent newsletters, a curriculum for children, and dramas for outreach events. But I never really considered pursuing writing for writing’s sake until one afternoon, I had something of an a-ha moment while brainstorming a story for a children’s ministry event. I suddenly realized how deeply I enjoyed the creative process, but more than just, “Wow, this is fun.” I came to understand how fulfilling creativity was to me.

While I devoted more time to writing after that, I still treated it much like a hobby until 2008 and 2009, when I sensed a clear and definite call. I fought God for about year, for numerous reasons, but finally came to realize by doing so, I was living in active disobedience. Therefore, in 2009, I jumped in completely and began prioritizing my writing as an active way I could honor and serve Christ.

Ah, Jennifer. Don’t we have an awesome God? At my first ACFW conference, I was all enthusiasm, just meeting authors I’d read, and being a part of something big. I think everyone I pitched to knew I wasn’t ready. The next conference I attended, I was sick, literally. I was seriously anemic and didn’t know it, but I thought I was simply depressed. I was asked for a manuscript that year. When it wasn’t accepted, I gave up, and that’s when God began to move!

What is one story from real life that you’ve included in one of your books?

Oh, my, there have been so many. In Intertwined, my main female character, a single mom who is doing her best to juggle a demanding career with motherhood, signs up to bake cookies one of her children’s school parties. In her rush, she unknowingly grabs cumin powder instead of cinnamon, creating a rather unique flavor. She discovers her error once at her son’s school when others act strange and give her odd looks after taking a bite of her cookies.

I did something similar when our daughter was in church youth group. Her group met directly following the evening service, so the students didn’t have time to go home and eat. In an effort to fight their “hangries,” we parents took turns supplying dinner. On my night, I decided to make tacos but inadvertently used cinnamon instead of cumin. As the meat cooked, it smelled unusual, but not enough to stop me. At least, that is, not until, as I was about to rush out the door, I took a taste. Oy! I don’t remember how I fixed that mistake, as something tells me I’d used the last of our ground beef. Maybe I ordered pizza.

Cooking stories and wedding mishaps are my FAVORITES! LOL!

Salad or Sandwich?

Salad, especially if it comes from a salad bar with all the fixings! Although I’m much rather forego the meal entirely and opt for ice cream and a flavored latté.

Amen, Sister!

What is your favorite Bible verse, and why?

Ephesians 2:10, which says, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (NIV). This verse reminds me that God has a plan for me, one planned precisely for me and me for it. It also reminds me that God is currently molding and equipping me to fulfill that plan. This helps me remain hopeful during momentary setbacks and my present imperfections because I know they’re merely blips in this journey God is leading me on. So long as I stay focused on Him and growing in Him, He will lead me to my destination.

Love that. I’ve had Phillipians on my mind lately, and your verse reminded me of one of my favorites, Philippians 1:6 – “For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus!”

About Jennifer

Jennifer Slattery is a writer and national speaker who has addressed women’s groups, church groups, Bible studies, and other writers across the nation. She hosts the Faith Over Fear podcast and maintains devotional blogs found JenniferSlatteryLivesOutLoud.com and on Crosswalk. As the founder of Wholly Loved Ministries she and her team partner with churches to facilitate events designed to help women rest in their true worth and live with maximum impact. Connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. When not writing, reading, or editing, Jennifer loves going on mall dates with her adult daughter and coffee dates with her hilariously fun husband. Contact her through her website to book her for your next women’s event.

Jennifer’s Latest Book!

Building a Family

Can love for two little matchmakers unite their reluctant hearts?

Worried that Noah Williams is still the reckless bull rider she remembers, Kayla Fisher is convinced he isn’t the right person to care for their orphaned niece and nephew. Now she’s back home, determined to fight for custody. But Noah is a changed man, and he intends to prove it. When Noah and Kayla start falling for each other, could raising the children together be the perfect solution?

Buy it HERE

A Character Interview with “Noah”

Welcome, Noah! What is one thing about you that makes you an interesting character?

Hm … I would say the fact that I used to be a bull-rider, but I guess that’s not hugely unique or unusual for a guy from rural Texas. How about that I’ve somehow found myself raising two little rascals when I hadn’t even had the chance to consider if I wanted to be a father. But now? Now my role of raising my cute-as-all-get-out niece and nephew is the most enjoyable and fulfilling part of my day.

Are you looking for romance?

Someday, sure, but I don’t have time right now, nor am I ready to introduce anyone into my niece and nephew’s life. They’ve already been through so much and are still transitioning after their mother’s abandonment. If I do date a lady, I plan to make sure she’s not only wife-material, but good enough for those kids, and ready to stick around for the long haul.

Do you prefer blondes, brunettes, or redheads?

Um. I prefer my women smart, kind, godly, and with a healthy dash of hilarity. Plus, she needs to like small towns as much as I do, because I am not planning on raising my niece and nephew in the city. They’ve got all they need right here in Sage Creek: plenty of space to run, clean air, and a whole community that loves them and would give them the world if they could.

What would you like to tell us about your author?

She gets way too wrapped up in my little world. Seriously, she needs to step away from that desk of hers once in a while, get some sunshine and fresh air. Go for a hike, maybe spend the day at the lake.

You heard him, Jennifer! 🙂

Readers, if you’d like to be entered to win a print copy of Building a Family, simply comment below! (US only!)

Thank you, Jennifer, for coming today, and for bringing Noah with you! I’m sure our readers would love to meet him “in person!”

Happy Reading!