Showing posts with label devotionals. Show all posts

Thursday, July 2, 2020

Talkshow Thursday: Meet Kristen Terrette

Talkshow Thursday: Meet Kristen Terrette

Linda: Thanks for joining me today. Congratulations on the release of the devotional Anchored & Secure: 60 Days of Resting in Grace with Wholly Loved ministries. Can you tell us a bit about your association with the organization and how the project came about?

KRISTEN: Thank you for having me. Wholly Loved Ministries was founded by Jennifer Slattery, and we came to know each other through our American Christian Fiction Writers Association memberships. Much like guest blogging here, we did the same on our personal blogs and became friends. She asked me to come on board, and since I loved her drive to spiritually grow women because I share the same drive, it was an easy yes.

Our latest devotional book, Anchored & Secure: 60 Days of Resting in Grace, came about because it was noticeably a hot topic amongst the needs of our group’s women, a theme that kept coming up. Typically, when the subject is settled on, we find verses that deal with it and assign them to the Wholly Loved writers who have agreed to contribute to the project. We all follow guidelines to write these devotionals, including studying/reading commentary about the verse and the section it’s in, and making it personal. It’s challenging, but so worth it when the book is complete, and your words hold the potential to help someone on their journey with God.

LM: You also write fiction and young adult books as well as nonfiction articles. How is your process different for the various genres? The same?

KRISTEN: I’d say different. Though writing in the morning is absolutely a must for me to get anything “good” down, my fiction writing is all about having a general outline of where the story is going, but then winging how to get from scene to scene. Writing devotionals, at least for me, is more of an approach I used in college to write essays or papers. We want to remain biblically sound, so it’s important to really understand what the writer of the verse meant when it as written. And though I love researching history for my fiction books, writing about fake characters is much more about letting my creative mind run wild and hoping for the best.

LM: What is your favorite part of the writing process?

KRISTEN: I love getting to the end of writing a story and realizing it’s come together better than I could have imagined. God is crazy awesome! There have been times where I wasn’t sure how a scene would play out, and He worked it in a way that surprised me. So, basically, I’d say my favorite part is writing the endings. There’s also an excitement that happens when you’re one step closer to bringing the characters—who you’ve gotten to know VERY well—to readers so they can love them too.

LM: Who are your literary heroes/heroines?

Victor Hugo

KRISTEN: Yikes, I don’t know what to say! I have loved Les Miserables by Victor Hugo since I was a child, so definitely a hero would be Jean Valjean. I also love Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers, so Michael Hosea is another one.

LM: What has been the most challenging part of the road to publication for you? What advice do you have for fledgling writers?

KRISTEN: Publishing happens at a snail’s pace, so have patience and don’t give up. Without a doubt, I get better as a writer with every book I write, so keep writing and learning. Don’t think you know everything. Take criticism well and listen to it when coming from someone you trust to have your best interests at heart. I struggle with wanting to be further along on this journey, but it’s just that, a journey. And everything is on God’s timing. Keep taking steps forward, and God will orchestrate things to “happen” at exactly the right moment.

LM: Here are some quickies:

KRISTEN:

Favorite season: Fall

Favorite vacation spot: Seagrove Beach, Florida

Favorite place to write: My desk. Boring!

LM: What is your next project?

Photo: Pixabay/11778011

KRISTEN: I’m currently seeking representation for my latest YA Contemporary novel, but while doing that, I have started writing another story, a book idea that’s brewed for years. It’s another YA time slip novel (like the one I have releasing with Elk Lake Publishing later this year or early spring), and the setting is the Mississippi Delta. It’s about a sixteen year old girl finding out where she comes from, and the mysteries surrounding her parent’s families—who hate each other like the Montagues and Capulets! Of course, she’ll have new friends and a love interest to help her along the way. Hopefully, I can make it all come together on paper like it plays out in my head!

LM: Where can folks find you on the web?

KRISTEN: http://www.kristenterrette.com

About Anchored & Secure: 60 Days of Resting in Grace: Thanks to Christ's death and resurrection, we don't have to stress, strive, or perform. We simply need to rest in what Christ has already done. That is when we begin to come alive; to live as He intended. That's when we experience true and lasting freedom. This sixty-day devotional helps women reflect on God's grace and the freedom of living deeply anchored in Him.

Purchase Link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B088B9ZCKR

Thursday, May 7, 2020

Talkshow Thursday: Andrea Chatelain

Talkshow Thursday: Andrea Chatelain

Linda: Thanks for stopping by. Congratulations on being part of Drawing Near: 90 Day Devotional. Tell a bit about the book and how did the opportunity come along?

Andrea: Drawing Near is a simple but profound way to deepen your faith each day. I was part of a midwest ministry called Wholly Loved and was fortunate to partner with some really authentic authors. Our devotionals are full of real struggles and point to Jesus, His grace, and love.

LM: You write for several organizations, teach English to immigrants and refugees, and raise three kids. How do you balance all of your responsibilities?

Andrea: Well, I had to throw out unreal expectations. My house is usually a mess because I use my free-time to write. And I decide each season, which area of my life is God calling me to give my time to and in what manner. Sometimes I have to make hard cuts so I can focus on the more important things. For example, because of the pandemic, I’m currently taking a step back from certain ministry opportunities and professional teaching because my kids need me here at home to be their teacher. I’m learning it’s easier to let go of roles if my identity is dug deep in Christ because then I can ask Him where He wants me to be and have peace in that decision.

LM: As a non-fiction writer, how do you get inspiration for topics you address? How difficult is it to share information about yourself in your articles?

Andrea: I write out of my weaknesses because I figure it may help others struggling with the same problems. Because I know how hard life, motherhood, marriage, and faith can feel, my compassion for others makes it pretty easy to open up about myself. It’s about showing how God is working in my weaknesses, how He is my hope! I also read my Bible and write down what God is teaching me through His wisdom. His words will last when I’m long gone, so I feel confident pondering and sharing His wisdom with my readers because I know it’s what will really make the difference when someone feels broken.

LM: Do you have a set routine to prepare for writing (e.g. listening to music, etc.) and is there a time of day you are more productive?

Andrea: I usually read my Bible first before I write. Otherwise I feel as though I’m writing out of my limited capacity instead of His power. Sometimes I need to do another activity, usually outside, like walking the dog or digging in my garden to give my mind time to process what I want to say before sitting down at the computer.

LM: What is one thing you’d like to learn how to do?

Andrea: I love learning new things! I’ve learned how to garden, so I’d love to learn how to can/preserve my produce. I have a neighbor near me who has lived on a farm for decades and is going to teach me her methods to make pickles and jam this season. It may sound simple and old fashioned to some, but I think it’s so interesting to learn the ways previous generations provided for their families.

LM: Here are some quickies:

Andrea:

Favorite Season: Fall

Favorite childhood book: Stone Soup

Favorite Bible verse: Depends on the day, but Galatians 5:22 for this season.

LM: Can you tell us what writing projects are on your plate right now?

Andrea: I’m so excited and thankful to partner with Our Daily Bread as a video devotional writer. They are creating some really amazing and accessible content for this generation. And I’m finishing a group Bible Study on the topic of joy with the amazing ladies of WhollyLoved again. Working with others on these projects teaches me so much about God because we all see Him through different life experiences.

Linda: Where can folks connect with you?

Andrea: I write weekly on my website www.glory-be.org. Follow me on Instagram andFacebook for real life encouragement. And watch for WhollyLoved’s upcoming Bible study I contributed to along with some amazing writers at www.youarewhollyloved.com.

___________________________

About Drawing Near
Each day, God beckons us to Himself, calling us to rest in His love and grace. As we do, He heals our hurts, overpowers our fears with love, and restores us to the women He created us to be. This 90-day devotional, written by women who are learning themselves to live anchored in God's grace, will help you deepen your faith and grow your relationship with Christ.

Purchase Link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/179757826X

Tuesday, April 4, 2017

Blog Tour: 21 Days of Grace

Blog Tour: 21 Days of Grace

Click here to purchase your copy.

About the Book

Book: 21 Days of Grace

Author: Compiled by Kathy Ide

Genre: Devotional

Release Date: March 24, 2015

Love fiction? Looking for a devotional? Check out 21 DAYS OF GRACE, book one in the Fiction Lover’s Devotional series (published by BroadStreet Publishing Group). Fictional stories followed by brief life applications written by best-selling Christian novelists and debut authors, including Angela Hunt, Cindy Woodsmall, and Deborah Raney. Great for individual or group study.

My Thoughts

Twenty-one Days of Grace is a collection of short stories written by well-known and not so well-known authors. At the end of each piece are two to three paragraphs of Life Application on which readers can meditate. The authors’ biographies give information about where readers can learn more about them or find their work. The stories are varied and range from Amish to Historical to Contemporary to Allegory, and all share a central truth from the Bible. A few are told in first person and the rest in third person. The book is a small, colorful, and beautifully packaged hardback, making it a nice gift. I enjoyed each of the stories, although some more than others, and appreciated the insights presented at the end. This is a devotional that can be read numerous times.

I received this book for free from Celebrate Lit Publicity. A positive review was not required, and all opinions expressed are my own.

About the Author

Kathy Ide is the author of Proofreading Secrets of Best-Selling Authors and the editor/compiler of the Fiction Lover’s Devotional series. She’s a full-time freelance editor and writing mentor, working with Christian authors of all genres at all levels. She teaches at writers’ conferences across the country and is the director of the SoCal Christian Writers’ Conference and the Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference. She’s a co-owner of the Christian Editor Network LLC and founder of the four divisions that comprise the CEN: Christian Editor Connection, The Christian PEN: Proofreaders and Editors Network, PENCON, and The PEN Institute. To find out more about Kathy, visit www.KathyIde.com

Guest Post from Kathy Ide

I’ve always loved Christian fiction, and I’ve seen the power of fiction to touch hearts and change lives, both firsthand and hearing about the experiences of others. But you know, in my quiet times with the Lord, reading a chapter from a novel just doesn’t seem quite appropriate. So a devotional with short fiction stories seemed like a great solution. And you can take these purse-sized devotionals wherever you go, to read when you have a few minutes of down time. It’s a great way to get “inspiration on the go.” And they make fantastic gifts for friends and loved ones.