Sara Ella

Meet Jennifer Slattery | Featured Author

Plus a giveaway!

About Jennifer Slattery…

jslatteryJennifer writes missional romance for New Hope Publishers. Beyond I Do is her debut, and she has a second novel titled When Dawn Breaks releasing in 2015. A third novel released by the same publisher will follow. She also writes and edits for Christ to the World Ministries, and also writes for Crosswalk.com, Internet Cafe Devotions, and Jewels of Encouragement and manages the social media for Takin’ it to the Streets, an Omaha Metro ministry that serves Omaha’s working poor and homeless. She co-hosts Living by Grace, a modern-day “meet at the well” Facebook community.

About Beyond I Do…

beyondWill seeing beyond the present unite Ainsley and her fiancé or tear them apart?
Raised by a hedonist mother, who cycles through jobs and relationships like wrapping paper on Christmas morning, Ainsley falls into a predictable and safe relationship with Richard, a self-absorbed socialite psychiatrist. But as her wedding nears, a battered woman and her child spark a long-forgotten dream and ignites a hidden passion. One that threatens to change everything, including her fiancé.
To embrace God’s best and find true love, this security-seeking bride must follow God with reckless abandon and realize that marriage goes Beyond I Do.

 

Q&A with Jennifer…

Grace asks, “Do you dream about your characters?” 
I rarely remember my dreams but I have awakened to find a story, character, or scene unraveling in my head. In fact, that’s how my third novel, recently contracted by New Hope Publishers, Interwined (working title), came about. A friend suggested I write a story centered on organ donation, something I had 0 knowledge or experience in, so I politely told her no. A couple weeks later, I awoke with one of the character’s stories flooding my thoughts. Assuming this was God’s way of nudging me forward I called my friend and said I’d do it, if she’d help. 

 

Denise asks, “How do you find the time and quiet to write?”
I stay home and am very blessed that my husband values my writing almost more than I do. He’s always been my greatest encourager, even before I had anything to show for my efforts. When I answered the call to write, we talked about the future and how I’d spend my time, and we both felt God wanted me to devote myself to writing full-time.  That was a very long answer to say, I have the time from when our daughter leaves for school until around four in the afternoon to write, uninterrupted. 

 

Cheryl asks, “Who or what inspired you to write?”
Honestly, I never really considered writing as a career, though I’ve always used writing to mentally process things, connect with God, and communicate my emotions. My first steps into writing began in church ministry, but I credit my father for instilling a love of words within me. I have such wonderful memories of him and me playing word and rhyming games. I also had a rather strange obsession with Shakespeare in my early teens. *grin*

 

Sue asks, “From where do you get your inspiration and plots?”
I write what’s called “missional” romance, which is romance with a strong outreach element. This comes from my passion to reach beyond our church walls, connect with those in desperate need of a Savior, bring them in, and help them settle deep into the supportive and healing family of God. At my church, I’m part of an Impact Leadership team which constantly looks for ways to do just that, so I always have fiction fodder. Plus, I believe my interaction with those outside my circle helps keep my writing relevant and authentic. 

 

Mary asks, “Chocolate or vanilla?”
Um… Why would he have to choose? You can swirl those together, you know. With a large dollop of marshmallow cream. And caramel sauce. And peanuts. And…

 

Marie asks, “Do you “set up” your writing space when you’re working (ie…music, candles, etc…?”
I like silence. I’m sure you can imagine what happens to my productivity level during the summer when my daughter is home and our house is filled with her giggly, chatty friends. And yet, as I’m first and foremost a mom who cherishes every parental moment, I wouldn’t have it any other way. 

 

Thanks for joining us on the blog today, Jennifer! It was a pleasure to have you.

 

The Giveaway…

Jennifer Slattery has graciously offered to giveaway a copy of her book Beyond I Do to one lucky reader. Please leave a question or comment for her below. Other entries available via the Rafflecopter. Enter through Tuesday, September 30th. One random winner will be chosen and announced in my October Newsletter (so be sure to sign up via the widget at the bottom right hand corner of this page).

Follow Jennifer on her blog  at jenniferslatterylivesoutloud.com and on Twitter @Jenslattery.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure:

I have not read the book featured in this post. This post also contains affiliate links. To learn more please read my full policy.

Comments

  2. Marisa says

    Sara, this is an excellent post. I love that you have included more than just an interview here. The interview with Jennifer was a lot of fun to read! The varying questions, from everything writing related to chocolate to vanilla, is a fresh take on the lives of authors. But I also really enjoyed your structure of the post. It was a great way to inform your readers about Jennifer’s books while also grabbing attention about the giveway. Thanks for this post! I’ve enjoyed getting to know Jennifer better and am now even more looking forward to reading her book.

    Reply

  3. craftybooksheeps says

    I really LOVE how you say that you write missional romance! I have never heard an author saying that and totally respect you doing everything you can to get the Gospel out! Your book sounds fascinating! Thank you for the giveaway! 🙂

    Reply

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