Welcome back, Jennifer Slattery!

Welcome back, Jennifer Slattery!

Linda:  Welcome back! Congratulations on your latest release, Building a Family. Where did you get your inspiration for the story?

Jennifer: Thanks so much! That’s such a great question, and one I often struggle to answer. Sometimes story ideas just seem to emerge in my brain and slowly build, either as I write or as I think on them. This story touches on foster care through kinship, which is where family members (aunts, uncles, etc.) or those who’ve already developed relationships with children who’ve been removed from their homes take over care.

Our family fostered for a while and got to know others who were fostering, including those who were fostering nieces and/or nephews. Their stories were hard, heart-wrenching, and beautiful and stuck with me and initiated some of the scenes in Building a Family.

LM: Your male protagonist is a bull rider. What sort of research did you have to do to learn about his job? Did you ride any bulls per chance? J

Jennifer: Oh, my, that was hard! First, I should clarify, he’s a former bull rider. He quit after a serious injury and also the death of a bull riding friend. That said, in researching Noah’s background, I had to watch a lot of rodeo footage and read numerous articles, and that was tough. I have very low tolerance for anything even remotely violent or seeing or thinking of others in pain. Don’t worry, I didn’t include any blood or gore or broken bones in my story. J For my own sanity!

 LM: How do you decide where to set your story?

Jennifer: I’ve set all my Love Inspired stories, so far, in a small fictional town in Texas, primarily because I love the hill country. The area is so beautiful, and when I visit, I find the relaxed pace and sense of community comforting.

LM: Like many women, you wear many hats: wife, mother, writer, speaker, and podcaster. How do you juggle your many responsibilities?

Jennifer: I manage my time carefully. Haha! I’ve also got great teams surrounding me. My husband spoils me and has made it his personal mission to do all he can to free up my time to write. I can’t remember the last time I went grocery shopping, and just recently he completely took over the laundry. (Can I get a hallelujah??) I’ve also got a great team behind me, in terms of podcasting also. I podcast for Life Audio, owned by Salem publication, and they handle all the editing and getting it loaded and what not. All I have to do is create the content, and that part’s fun! I also have a great ministry team (Wholly Loved Ministries), where we all do our part and together, God turns our efforts into something beautiful.

We truly weren’t meant to live, and write or serve, alone.

LM: What advice do you have for fledgling writers?

Jennifer: Don’t quit, but don’t expect the journey to be quick or easy. They say only about 10% of writers get published, to which I respond, “That’s because the other 90% quit.” I’ve known so many writers who begin with passion and determination, godly confidence, who quit a few years later. I don’t think they understand it takes, on average, about 10 years for a serious writer to receive their first publishing contract.

LM: Here are some quickies:

Favorite childhood book: I was just talking about this on Facebook the other day! When I was young, my dad read me a book called Mr. Bun. Rather, he sang it to me. It’s funny how some memories stick with us. That memory—of his voice, as he sang through the story—has stuck with me, and it’s so clear. I’ve referenced that story so many times, he finally found it online and bought it for me. J If I ever have grandkids, that will be one of the first books I read … er … sing, to them.

Favorite Bible verse: Ephesians 2:10 because it reminds me God has a plan, always. He’s working out that plan, now, through all things. He’s molding me for that plan. All I have to do is keep stepping and obeying. He takes care of everything else. I like to remember this verse in regard to my daughter, now an adult, also. Whenever she’s struggling or hurting, I remind myself God is molding her for His good and hope-filled plan also.

LM: What other projects are on the docket for you this year?

Jennifer: Oh, my, so many. I’m working on more podcast episodes and have really been enjoying those. I’m working on ministry content. (We have devotionals, Bible studies, reading plans, and more.) I’m finishing up a romance novel, as well. After that, I have some video devotions I need to complete, then we’ll see where God leads.

LM: Where can folks find you on the web?

Jennifer: They can find my website at JenniferSlatteryLivesOutLoud.com, my ministry at WhollyLoved.com, and they can connect with me on Facebook and Instagram. (I have a Twitter account also but rarely use it.)

About 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?

Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/2Y8QVJe