Jennifer is a member of my local ACFW chapter. I think I met her at the first meeting I attended, back when I wasn’t sure if I was a writer or not. Her latest work is in Cecil Murphey's Christmas Miracles compilation that just went on sale last month. She said it went into it's third printing before it was released and is her first hardback. It can be found at Barnes and Noble, Walmart, and Sam's Club.
You can find Jennifer at her blog, Abundant Blessings, and also at her website, Jennifer Lynn Cary.
MG: When did you know you wanted to write?
JLC: I first wanted to write when my mom decided to take a writing correspondence course. She bought a new typewriter (this was way back and it's got to be an antique by now) and she let me try. I think I still have the story somewhere, but I knew even then that something had to happen, a problem needed to be solved, or it wouldn't be worth reading.
Writing was always a favorite subject in school. When my stepmom decided to look for evidence to back up my dad's verbal family history, I noticed these two paragraphs in a genealogy book. I knew there had to be more to the story.
I toyed with the idea for several years. In the middle of all that I went back to college to complete my teaching degree. A professor I didn't really like made the class all share where they saw themselves five years in the future. Being a smartypants I said I would be relaxing at a resort after a huge book signing on the release of my novel which debuted number one on the NY Bestsellers List.
Yeah, I was cocky. Only, five years later, God kind of tapped me on the shoulder and said in order to do that I'd have to start writing. I'm still writing, but, as you probably have figured, no one having anything to do with the NY Bestsellers List even knows I exist. Yet. :-)
MG: How long have you been writing?
JLC: I've been seriously writing for about ten years (serious being a relative term--I've had serious seasons of writing in the past ten years might be a better way of expressing that).
MG: How often do you write? Do you have a routine?
JLC: I tend to write in spurts and on school vacations. During the school year, I'm better on weekends. Organization has never been my forté so I tend to stay longer after school doing paperwork, writing plans, grading, etc. That leaves little time in the evenings. But come the weekend or a scheduled break, I've been known to crank out 1,500 words or more a day. There was a summer when I was bound and determined to finish a rough draft and I pounded out nearly 45,000 words in less than two weeks--my wrists hurt.
MG: What kind of stories do you tell?
JLC: Hmmm, I've written in several genres, but all tend to have one thing in common--God's unconditional love and faithfulness. You know the old hymn, Tell Me the Story, well, that's what I do. I tell the stories of how God has been faithful--in my life and the lives of those I love and the characters who live in my brain.
MG: Do you have any other pursuits besides writing?
JLC: One of the hurdles I deal with in my writing is that I've fallen in love with my job so I devote a lot of time to it. I teach gifted children from kindergarten through sixth grade. I'm amazed to see what they are capable of as I watch them rise to various challenges. I've been building the program at my school and try to add something new to it every year.
It also reflects my other interests because that is the only way I can get to them--I incorporate activities or interests into my curriculum. Makes teaching fun, that's for sure. I enjoy making vignettes on Movie Maker so my students use the program to make projects to display what they've learned.
You can find Jennifer at her blog, Abundant Blessings, and also at her website, Jennifer Lynn Cary.
MG: When did you know you wanted to write?
JLC: I first wanted to write when my mom decided to take a writing correspondence course. She bought a new typewriter (this was way back and it's got to be an antique by now) and she let me try. I think I still have the story somewhere, but I knew even then that something had to happen, a problem needed to be solved, or it wouldn't be worth reading.
Writing was always a favorite subject in school. When my stepmom decided to look for evidence to back up my dad's verbal family history, I noticed these two paragraphs in a genealogy book. I knew there had to be more to the story.
I toyed with the idea for several years. In the middle of all that I went back to college to complete my teaching degree. A professor I didn't really like made the class all share where they saw themselves five years in the future. Being a smartypants I said I would be relaxing at a resort after a huge book signing on the release of my novel which debuted number one on the NY Bestsellers List.
Yeah, I was cocky. Only, five years later, God kind of tapped me on the shoulder and said in order to do that I'd have to start writing. I'm still writing, but, as you probably have figured, no one having anything to do with the NY Bestsellers List even knows I exist. Yet. :-)
MG: How long have you been writing?
JLC: I've been seriously writing for about ten years (serious being a relative term--I've had serious seasons of writing in the past ten years might be a better way of expressing that).
MG: How often do you write? Do you have a routine?
JLC: I tend to write in spurts and on school vacations. During the school year, I'm better on weekends. Organization has never been my forté so I tend to stay longer after school doing paperwork, writing plans, grading, etc. That leaves little time in the evenings. But come the weekend or a scheduled break, I've been known to crank out 1,500 words or more a day. There was a summer when I was bound and determined to finish a rough draft and I pounded out nearly 45,000 words in less than two weeks--my wrists hurt.
MG: What kind of stories do you tell?
JLC: Hmmm, I've written in several genres, but all tend to have one thing in common--God's unconditional love and faithfulness. You know the old hymn, Tell Me the Story, well, that's what I do. I tell the stories of how God has been faithful--in my life and the lives of those I love and the characters who live in my brain.
MG: Do you have any other pursuits besides writing?
JLC: One of the hurdles I deal with in my writing is that I've fallen in love with my job so I devote a lot of time to it. I teach gifted children from kindergarten through sixth grade. I'm amazed to see what they are capable of as I watch them rise to various challenges. I've been building the program at my school and try to add something new to it every year.
It also reflects my other interests because that is the only way I can get to them--I incorporate activities or interests into my curriculum. Makes teaching fun, that's for sure. I enjoy making vignettes on Movie Maker so my students use the program to make projects to display what they've learned.
I am fascinated by modular origami so I teach it to my students--we had our first Family Origami Night at school last month where the kids taught it to their parents. I enjoy learning about sign language, so in order to remember what I've learned, I teach it to my students--a few teachers have let me know that the kids are signing in class now instead of passing notes--sorry!
MG: Do you have a favorite author and or genre that you read?
JLC: Wow, that's tough because I enjoy several genres and authors. Not too much into the vampire craze and all that but I do like romantic suspense, historicals, women's fiction, romantic comedy and children's fiction--only when well written. Favorite authors include (and are not limited to only Christian writers) Kristin Billerbeck, Francine Rivers, James Scott Bell, Robert Munsch, J.R.R. Tolkin, CS Lewis, Neta Jackson and Martha Grimes.
MG: If you could keep only two writing books, what would they be and why?
JLC: Only two?! I don't know if that's possible. Let's see, Writing the Break Out Novel (Maas), Plot and Structure (Bell), and The First Five Pages (Lukeman)--sorry. OH! And I rely on my copies of The Flip Dictionary (Kipfer) and Polishing the P.U.G.S. (Ide). So that's five--at least I narrowed it down some :-)
MG: If you could visit only two writing blogs, what would they be?
JLC: I read Brandilyn Collins Forensics and Fiction nearly every day plus Randy Ingermanson's Advanced Fiction Writing E-zine is terrific.
MG: Why did you decide to pursue publishing?
JLC: Well, I know it's not for the money or fame. I think it's more to share this story I have inside that needs to get out. I figure if I'm faithful to get the gift of the story written to the best of my ability, then those that need to hear/read it will. I can't control that part and I've learned that the hard way. I must surrender control. I do what I'm inspired to do, what I believe God has gifted me to do and rely on His divine intervention to take it beyond my circle of influence.
I'm not out to top the NY Bestseller's List anymore--too many things have happened since I first spouted off. I have learned God is truly faithful no matter what physical evidence might indicate so I leave it is His expert hands.
MG: What has been the most difficult aspect of trying to get published?
JLC: The right place at the right time. I believe my writing improves with each project and I am developing a respectable track record while getting to know some very wonderful people in the business. However, timing is everything and that is out of my hands--a tough lesson for a control freak to learn though the biggest lesson has been learning to release control. I'm getting there.
MG: What one piece of advice would you give other writers, either about writing or about seeking publication?
JLC: I think what I had to learn is that it's not all about the novel. I've been able to share with far more people though my short pieces. They've touched other lives, helped me make contact with editors, added to my resume and made me a better writer. Plus, if my novels never sell, I've still honored God by using the talent He's invested in me to the best of my ability. Do not underestimate God's power in the small things.
Michelle, thanks so much for the interview. Wishing you all the best! Abundant blessings!
Read more author interviews.
MG: Do you have a favorite author and or genre that you read?
JLC: Wow, that's tough because I enjoy several genres and authors. Not too much into the vampire craze and all that but I do like romantic suspense, historicals, women's fiction, romantic comedy and children's fiction--only when well written. Favorite authors include (and are not limited to only Christian writers) Kristin Billerbeck, Francine Rivers, James Scott Bell, Robert Munsch, J.R.R. Tolkin, CS Lewis, Neta Jackson and Martha Grimes.
MG: If you could keep only two writing books, what would they be and why?
JLC: Only two?! I don't know if that's possible. Let's see, Writing the Break Out Novel (Maas), Plot and Structure (Bell), and The First Five Pages (Lukeman)--sorry. OH! And I rely on my copies of The Flip Dictionary (Kipfer) and Polishing the P.U.G.S. (Ide). So that's five--at least I narrowed it down some :-)
MG: If you could visit only two writing blogs, what would they be?
JLC: I read Brandilyn Collins Forensics and Fiction nearly every day plus Randy Ingermanson's Advanced Fiction Writing E-zine is terrific.
MG: Why did you decide to pursue publishing?
JLC: Well, I know it's not for the money or fame. I think it's more to share this story I have inside that needs to get out. I figure if I'm faithful to get the gift of the story written to the best of my ability, then those that need to hear/read it will. I can't control that part and I've learned that the hard way. I must surrender control. I do what I'm inspired to do, what I believe God has gifted me to do and rely on His divine intervention to take it beyond my circle of influence.
I'm not out to top the NY Bestseller's List anymore--too many things have happened since I first spouted off. I have learned God is truly faithful no matter what physical evidence might indicate so I leave it is His expert hands.
MG: What has been the most difficult aspect of trying to get published?
JLC: The right place at the right time. I believe my writing improves with each project and I am developing a respectable track record while getting to know some very wonderful people in the business. However, timing is everything and that is out of my hands--a tough lesson for a control freak to learn though the biggest lesson has been learning to release control. I'm getting there.
MG: What one piece of advice would you give other writers, either about writing or about seeking publication?
JLC: I think what I had to learn is that it's not all about the novel. I've been able to share with far more people though my short pieces. They've touched other lives, helped me make contact with editors, added to my resume and made me a better writer. Plus, if my novels never sell, I've still honored God by using the talent He's invested in me to the best of my ability. Do not underestimate God's power in the small things.
Michelle, thanks so much for the interview. Wishing you all the best! Abundant blessings!
Read more author interviews.
