LDSPMA

Empowering Latter-day Saints to spread light and truth by connecting them at the intersection of faith, creativity, and professional skill

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Member Spotlight: Jeremy Madsen!

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Jeremy Madsen lives in Provo, Utah

What are some names of the books or other media you have created?
  • The Atrium of Light Scripture Song project: making available online a collection of 300+ songs that set major scripture passages to original melodies. These songs were written by my family while I was growing up. They are extremely powerful for helping people memorize scriptures and incorporate spiritual power into their day-to-day lives.
  • “From Precepts to Power,” a blog for Latter-day Saints that explores principles for spiritual and personal empowerment.
  • I’m the chief editor for Studia Antiqua, a BYU student journal for the study of the ancient world.
  • Rendhart, a half-finished YA fantasy novel.
What inspired you to become a creator of media?

My brothers. Growing up, they both read a lot of fantasy and adventure books and also wrote fantastic stories. Since I was eleven, I have had the dream of becoming a fantasy author myself. I used to don a cape and draw a sword (actually a plastic ruler) and fight imaginary duels in my bedroom. Oh, wait—I still do that! In high school, I once listed all the books I wanted to write one day. The list was at least thirty items long and ranged from quirky sci-fi titles to personal development books. I still have that list.

What has been the highlight of your career so far?

Being involved with LDSPMA. I love the people I have met, the things I have learned about the publishing industry, and the opportunities that have become available to me. It truly is an awesome organization, and I’m so glad I could be a part of making its mission happen as the new Operations Manager.

What was the best advice you’ve ever been given in your creative journey?

Advice from C. S. Lewis: “No [writer] who bothers about originality will ever be original: whereas if you simply try to tell the truth (without caring twopence how often it has been told before) you will, nine times out of ten, become original without ever having noticed it.” Also, the book Style: Lessons in Clarity and Grace by Williams and Bizup taught me more about effective writing than any other book I’ve read.

What advice do you have for someone just starting out in your field?

Identify your priorities early, and then stick to them. Never allow your writing (or editing or podcasting, etc.) to come before God, family, or Church duties. But don’t let inconsequential hobbies, distractions, or concerns take time away from your creative work either. Drink lots of water. I drink 20-30 cups of water a day, and it does amazing things to my energy level and mental clarity. Set high standards for the content you create. There are enough media out there with profanity, vulgarity, crude humor, and unprincipled protagonists. Don’t add more. Create media that will truly bring people to God.

What keeps you inspired in your daily creative work?

Sometimes it’s easy to get discouraged as a creator. I walk into a library and see the thousands upon thousands of books, and I think, “What could I ever add? And who would read it?”

The main source that sustains me is God. Every once in a while, He’ll remind me that my words and ideas are valuable and needed. The second source that sustains me is sincere praise from others. Someone told me recently, “Even if you write your blog posts for no one else but me, I get so much out of them that they’d be worth it.”

What would you like others to know about you or your creative process?

I love capes! Capes and cloaks of all kinds. I’ve worn them around the house, to school, even on dates. One of my most prized possessions is a dragon-scale-pattern cloak my wife made for me back when we were dating. March 10th is Universal Cape Day! Mark your calendars for next year. Wear a cape. Feel heroic.

In what ways do you feel you have been able to be a voice for good in your creative pursuits?

I want my writing to model mature romantic relationships—something that is very rare in media. I want to show agency-based love instead of “love at first sight” or “love by happenstance.” I want to show the work and commitment that building and maintaining (or repairing) a relationship requires. And I also want to show the deep sense of security, love, and fulfillment that a well-nurtured marriage can bring.

If you want your spotlight to link to your website or any of your social media platforms, include the URLs here.

The website my siblings and I built to house our creative content: AtriumOfLight.com.

7 Reasons Why You Should Try New Things

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By Brittany Passmore

Have you ever been scared to try something new? It’s an understandable fear and one that I relate to keenly. However, I’ve recently begun to look at trying new things in a different way and realized that new experiences can bring us incredible benefits.

I’m not asking you to climb Mount Everest or make a drastic change in your career. All I’m saying is that you and I should dabble occasionally in new and different hobbies that peak our interest. For instance, maybe you’ve always wanted to try rock climbing or learn how to paint.

If you think these activities might distract you from whatever creative profession you’ve chosen, let me suggest that they’ll actually make you a better creator than a worse one. New experiences can be incredibly important for your professional and personal development, even if they have nothing to do with your creative work! Here are seven ways that trying new things can help you flourish.

1. Gain New Talents and Skills

When you try something new, you’re likely to learn a new skill because of it. Even if you only try that new thing once, you’ll likely be using skills that you haven’t focused on practicing before. And although these new skills might not be needed for your specific profession, you may find ways to apply them and expand your creativity.

2. Meet New People and Network

Whatever new activity you try, you’ll probably be able to make new friends and add valuable people to your network. You never know when you might be grateful to know someone active in another profession or hobby. Plus, one day, others might be grateful to know you and ask for your expertise!

A girl with brown hair and glasses dips her paintbrush in water. Experimenting with art can be a way to try new things.

3. Gain Valuable Experience

You won’t just learn how to do something new if you try it. You’ll also gain valuable experience that can propel your own career. Trying new things can be hard, but learning to adapt to new situations allows you to better adapt to the difficult situations that arise in your own field. Start trying new things, and you’ll find the curveballs in your own creative pursuits are easier to dodge.

4. Gain Unique Perspective

Your new experiences as you try new activities can help you look at the world differently. Everyone has their own perspective on life, and that perspective is influenced by the things we love and do. So, when you understand a new activity or hobby, you’ll also come to understand the people who love and do those things. This perspective can help you better connect with people as you create your own work.

Fantasy author Brandon Sanderson once gave an excellent example of how trying something new helped him gain a unique perspective that helped his writing. He took an art class to learn about drawing. Although he doesn’t consider himself a professional artist by any means, understanding how artists look at the world in order to create helped him write stronger characters that had similar perspectives.

5. Find Inspiration

Your new perspective may also help you find inspiration as you create. You might be struck by the emotions you experience as you try something new, which could translate into how you use emotion in your next creation. Or you might connect to an idea, an experience, or a person in a new way that brings new meaning to your life and your work.

6. Spark Joy in Yourself and Others

If nothing else, trying new things should bring you and others joy. Have fun while you try new things! Get excited and share your excitement with others. Who knows? Maybe you’ll discover a new hobby. Even if you find you don’t want to try that new thing again, at least you will have created a happy memory for yourself and maybe for others.

7. Curate the Attribute of Bravery

Finally, as you try new things, you will develop important attributes like bravery. Trying new things can be scary and overwhelming at times. But when we find the inner strength to finish what we started, whatever the result, we become braver and more confident. That bravery is important to your professional creative work too! Your increased bravery will help you take risks and put yourself out there.

At first, the advice to try new things might seem like a distraction from your work. But in the long run, taking courage to enjoy new experiences can actually improve you and help you find more joy and success in your creative pursuits. So, what are you waiting for? Make a goal to try something new!

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Brittany Passmore graduated from BYU with a major in editing and publishing. She works as a freelance editor specializing in science-fiction and fantasy. When she’s not reading, writing, or editing, Brittany loves to be a stay-at-home mom to her toddler and dabble in her musical hobbies of piano, flute, guitar, singing, and practicing yoga.

Website: https://brittanympassmore.wixsite.com/passmoreedits

Member Spotlight: Lisa Gregg!

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Lisa Gregg lives in Southeastern Utah.

What inspired you to become a creator of media?

I have loved stories and wanted to contribute creatively to the world since childhood. The desire to edit and help refine other people’s stories came later as a natural extension of that.

When I was five or six, I tried to get my dad to write down a story for me. I knew my childish handwriting was hard to read and that my spelling was bad, so I wanted a shortcut. My dad wisely used it as a learning opportunity, as dads do, and convinced me to write it myself (though he did correct my spelling).

What has been the highlight of your career so far?

I recently finished and have begun revising my first full novel. Writing “the end” on the last page brought on a rush of relief and a feeling of achievement unparalleled by any I’ve previously experienced.

I also highly enjoy attending writing conferences and classes and consider them highlights as well. They’re great, both for the chance to learn and for the opportunity to interact with other lovers of the written word.

What was the best advice you’ve ever been given in your creative journey?

The best advice I’ve received, I think, is to solicit and gracefully accept feedback. You don’t need to take every piece of criticism or correction, but it is important to realize that you are not perfect and other people can help you improve. I think that advice is helpful in writing and in life. Humility and a willingness to be corrected can be difficult to develop—I’m definitely not a master at it—but it is very helpful in the long run.

What advice do you have for someone just starting out in your field?

The advice is the same for both writing and editing: just keep practicing. Write, write, write, and read, read, read. Read stories, read history books, read books on writing. Find podcasts and classes and videos online about writing, and see what they have to teach you. If you are a big fan of a movie or book, try writing fanfiction for it. Then, put it online and get feedback on your writing. Practice may not make perfect, but it will certainly make you better.

What keeps you inspired in your daily creative work?

The world is full of inspiration. However, I personally think the most interesting story inspirations come from combining two or more interesting things together in a “what if” scenario.

What would you like others to know about you or your creative process?

I am a writer of sci-fi, fantasy, and whatever else tickles my fancy. In the past, I have been a poetry editor for a literary magazine and a corporate editor in an office, but now I edit fiction (and very occasionally nonfiction) on a freelance basis. I’ve also recently taken a position as an assistant librarian, which is great fun.

As far as my process goes, I’m a night-writer generally, and I spend the day letting words and ideas digest. I believe in going on walks and seeking stillness. I think pondering, putting in the work spiritually, is necessary to put out good creative work.

How do we find you online?

You can find me on Instagram @lisatgreggwrites and my website www.lisatgregg.com.

Announcing the Praiseworthy Awards for Emerging Authors!

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By Katie Wiscombe, LDSPMA Awards Committee Member   

How are you like the following people: Gerald Lund, Sarah Eden, or even Brandon Sanderson? I’m sure most of you would say you are nothing like these amazing Latter-day Saint authors. But really, you would be wrong. You probably have several things in common, but I’m looking for just one. Any guesses? No? Well, let me tell you.

You are like these creators simply because they, too, were once unknown authors with the drive, discipline, and talent to take that first step. The first step for you can be right here. If your dreams are tied up in telling the stories rolling around in your head, you’re in the right place. Let me explain.

In conjunction with our annual Latter-day Saint Publishing & Media Association conference held in October, we offer an opportunity for previously unpublished authors to submit their work to the Praiseworthy Award for Emerging Authors contest. This is a writing contest specifically for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who are unpublished and unagented. And this opportunity has a wonderful prize waiting at the finish line for the winners: feedback from the industry professionals at Eschler Editing! What?! Truly, the chance to have a professional in the field help you on your way is worth that first step.

The Details

Now for a little housekeeping. We open for submissions for all genres on May 1, 2021. Fiction submissions are due by June 1, 2021. Nonfiction submissions are DUE by June 15, 2021. 

You are welcome to submit up to 2,500 words from any genre and on any topic you would like. Picture books to epic fantasy. Romance to memoir. Historical fiction or nonfiction. Poetry or essays. Do you have a manuscript on how to make goat cheese? Or maybe you have a more serious subject matter that needs to be heard. Send it over.  The sky’s the limit. All you need to do is click here for additional information on submitting your manuscript.

Winners

Winners will be announced at the conference in October. Besides the feedback from Eschler Editing, all winners and honorable mentions will receive a certificate and a digital badge to post on their social media pages or website. 

The Invitation

I hope you follow that voice in your head that encourages you to take that first step. It’s not impossible to think that you could someday be in the same place as those incredible authors above. Nelson Mandela shared some inspired insight on the subject when he said, “It always seems impossible until it’s done.” So what are you waiting for? Dust off your manuscript, click the link, and submit your 2,500 words. Impossible no more–you just got it done. One step closer to your dream becoming a reality. 

We can’t wait to hear your stories!

Member Spotlight: Alan Sanderson!

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Dr. Alan Sanderson lives in Enoch, Utah.

What are some names of the books or other media you have created?

I have two main creative outlets:
1) The Medicine and Faith blog, started in 2014, where I write from my perspective as a Church member and as a practicing neurologist, and
2) My music website, started in 2017, where my family members and I post our recordings and collaborations, as well as tutorials and reviews of the software and hardware tools that we use in our home studios.

What inspired you to become a creator of media?

The Medicine and Faith blog was inspired by Elder Uchtdorf’s encouragement for Church members to share the gospel online. I was also influenced by Clayton Christensen’s book, The Power of Everyday Missionaries. But I think I have always been a creator. For as long as I can remember, I have wanted to make music, images, and stories.

What has been the highlight of your career so far?

Medicine is my career; writing and music are just hobbies. That said, it was an honor to receive a Praiseworthy Award at the 2018 LDSPMA conference.

Image for The Queen of Public Transportation, a song by Tom and Alan Sanderson.
What was the best advice you’ve ever been given in your creative journey?

Have fun!

What advice do you have for someone just starting out in your field?

Creating is more fun when you are learning. Learn new skills, build your foundation, and be willing to try new things.

What keeps you inspired in your daily creative work?

The joy of creating, the satisfaction of improving my skills, the payoff of seeing or hearing the finished project as a real thing in the world. The thrill of good web traffic and comments is like a sugar rush—it doesn’t last long enough to get your next project done. Your primary motivations have to be intrinsic in order for them to be durable, especially when you are a hobbyist.

What would you like others to know about you or your creative process?

I work on projects intuitively, based on what interests and motivates me from day to day and week to week. I don’t hold myself to a timeline or a schedule, but I try to keep two–three projects going all of the time so that there is always something in the pipeline. Also I don’t worry much about whether other people will like my creations. If I can satisfy my audience of one (myself), then I’m happy.

In what ways do you feel you have been able to be a voice for good in your creative pursuits?

People comment to me pretty often that my music is uplifting or that they learned something from a blog post.

Aaron Merrell: Working in the Film Industry

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By Trina Boice

Check out a recent BYU-Idaho Forum presentation, featuring Aaron Merrell, who is a senior producer for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint’s Publishing Services Department. In the forum, Aaron gives a behind-the-scenes look into producing the Book of Mormon Videos series. He also shares insights about working in the film industry.

Aaron has worked for DreamWorks, Walt Disney Company, and other entertainment companies prior to working for the Church.

Video of Aaron Merrell discussing working in the film industry on the Book of Mormon Videos series.
https://video.byui.edu/media/t/1_yik46p1s/11602882

The Book of Mormon Videos are a collection of videos based on accounts from The Book of Mormon. You can watch them on YouTube or on the Church’s website to learn more about these faith-building films! They are also available in other languages.

You may have seen the Broadway musical called “The Book of Mormon.” Now, through movie magic, you can find out what the Book of Mormon is really about!

Member Spotlight: Brittany Passmore!

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This week’s member spotlight is Brittany Passmore from Logan, Utah!

What inspired you to become a writer/musician/publisher/creative in media?

In high school, I read The Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan (finished by Brandon Sanderson). I was so moved by the journey I’d gone on in this fictional world that I knew I had to have a career involved with fiction. I went to college hoping to improve my writing skills and ended up falling in love with editing. Someday, I hope I can share my love of writing with the world too, but I’m really passionate about helping other writers refine their writing and accomplish their publishing dreams.

What has been the highlight of your career so far?

I’ve loved seeing how the authors I work with grow through the various phases of revising and editing. It’s amazing to see how not only their stories but their writing skills can completely transform for the better from manuscript to manuscript with just a little guidance!

What was the best advice you’ve ever been given in your creative work?

I think the best advice I’ve been given has actually been in the example of one of my professors at BYU, Matt Baker. He was always so kind and generous in the way he interacted with others. But also so careful in how he carried out his responsibilities so that he truly gave his best work. I think that combination of attributes is what makes others trust and respect you and helps you find satisfaction in your daily work.

What advice do you have for someone just starting out in your field?

If you want to be an editor, you need to be willing to really study and learn about language. I started out thinking I knew a lot about writing and grammar (and I did, to an extent), but I quickly learned that you need to be humble enough to know that you have a lot to learn and you need to train yourself to always double check yourself so you don’t add your own errors to another’s work.

What keeps you inspired in your daily creative work?

My family is a big inspiration for me right now. My husband is still in school, so I’m taking a big role in helping to provide for us. When I think of my little boy, Parker (who is almost two!), I just want to work harder to give him everything I can. But I’m also really inspired by Christ’s example of service. When I think about how I’m really providing a service for others and not just trying to make money, I look at my daily work in a better way and find true joy in helping others in their creative writing.

What would you like others to know about you or your creative process?

I’m learning that my creative work goes a lot better when I keep my priorities balanced. For instance, I’m trying to be better about praying before I work to show the Lord that He is the most important aspect of my life and so I can have His spirit and strength to guide me.

Tell us about your work!

In my freelance editing service, I provide developmental editing, substantive editing, copyediting, proofreading, and manuscript evaluations for novelists, especially those writing in science fiction and fantasy genres. (If you’re confused about what these different kinds of editing are, just head over to my website; I explain the difference on my contact page!) Sometimes I blog about writing tips, too.

What are the names of your books/products you’ve created?

I have a freelance editing service called “Passmore Edits.”

What is your website URL?

https://brittanympassmore.wixsite.com/passmoreedits

What are your social media URLs?

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/passmoreedits

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/passmore_edits

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/passmoreedits

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/passmoreedits

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittany-passmore

Seeking and Creating Praiseworthy Works

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By Ted Finch

Our Thirteenth Article of Faith proclaims, “If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.” My original goal for this blog post was to share quotes from a handful of articles I’ve studied over the last few months that have had an impact on my growth as a creative person trying to figure out how to share my light through praiseworthy works.

As I worked through several paragraphs, I started asking myself questions such as, “Why am I writing this?” and “Should I include this?” Finally, it dawned on me that I don’t need to write about what is in the articles themselves; rather, write about the idea that we have to work on our spiritual development and our artistic development in tandem. That is the moment the words started to flow.

The Spiritual and Artistic in Tandem

Artist James C. Christensen stressed the idea to many of his BYU students, “We cannot separate our spiritual development from our artistic development. We must work at both.” There is wonderful insight that comes when we involve God in our creative pursuits. Keeping our connection with the Spirit is key to receiving the guidance we need to grow spiritually and creatively. 

Elder Bruce R. McConkie said that the “Spirit of Christ . . . is the medium of intelligence, that guides inventors, scientists, artists, composers, poets, authors . . . when they set their hands to do that which is for the benefit and blessing of their fellow men.”

In 1995, President M. Russell Ballard stated at the Tuachan Mormon Arts Festival (later published in the July 1996 Ensign), “God’s purpose for the artist is to inspire. To give us visions of ourselves that we might not otherwise see, to make us better than we would have been.” 

Think about that. Our purpose as creatives is to inspire ourselves and others to see the world differently—in a better way. We can be guided to create things that will benefit and bless the lives of others. 

A hand holding out a candle. Sharing light, symbolic of creating and seeking praiseworthy works.
A Call to Share Our Light

In his speech, President Ballard stated, “This is the time, brothers and sisters to make our voices heard.” I think that call still rings true almost 21 years later. As we see more winds of commotion and confusion blow across the plains of the world, we must rise to the call to fill our quarters of the world with light and truth. 

How do we do this? As creatives, we “express [ourselves] in universal symbols, images, sounds, and feelings.” We have the “unique opportunity to present [our] opinions, and perspectives on Eternity” through “universal symbols, images, sounds, and feelings” (Ballard, 1995).

Now it’s time for you to discover how the Lord wants you to make your voice heard. It may be in the walls of your home, to your extended family, to your community, or to the world. You might share your praiseworthy stories, ideas, music, or other unique opinions from your perspective. Now is the time to share.

Enjoy your journey. Bring others with you.

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Author’s Note: I linked articles I cited in the article and have included a few others below to help start you on your path of creative discovery.

“The Sweep the Earth as a Flood” talk by Elder David A. Bednar
“The Arts and the Spirit of the Lord” speech by President Boyd K. Packer
“Seeking after the Good in Art, Drama, Film, and Literature” essay by Travis T. Anderson

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Ted Finch is a husband, father, disciple, and storyteller. He loves stories through novels, poetry, and film. Ted loves baking bread, fishing, and spending time outdoors. He is also passionate about creating learning experiences for audiences around the world.

Twitter – @tedthewriter

Instagram – @tedthewriter

Website – tedthewriter.wixsite.com/home