LDSPMA

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

fiction author

LDSPMA Member Spotlight: Jessica Francis

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What are some names of the books or other media you have created?
I create weekly videos for families to use as a tool to help spark learning and discussion during family scripture study time. Children have the amazing capability to learn the principles of the gospel at young ages. If we can simplify the gospel into terms the children can understand and help them apply those principles into their everyday lives they begin building testimonies of their own.
What inspired you to become a creator of media?
Through much prayer and study, the Lord has been impressing on my mind the usefulness of my talent to simply doctrine and principles in ways that children can understand and apply. I have felt impressed to start making and sharing puppet show videos that focus on one principle of the gospel of Jesus Christ each week, and they align with the Come Follow Me program so that families can use them to facilitate teaching their children the gospel at home.
What has been the highlight of your career so far?
I love hearing how children are using my videos to learn the gospel.
What was the best advice you’ve ever been given in your creative journey?
It takes time to build up an audience.
What keeps you inspired in your daily creative work?
The on-going inspiration through the Holy Ghost prodding me onward and upward.
What would you like others to know about you or your creative process?
Right now I am doing every part of video production and I am looking for others to help. Trying to be Actor, Editor, Director, Composer, Musician, Playwright, etc. is too much for one person. Anyone who has some talent, time to dedicate, and love of sharing the gospel is welcome to join me in this adventure!
In what ways do you feel you have been able to be a voice for good in your creative pursuits?
Many children are learning how to apply the scriptures into their lives. I know my children have benefited from this endeavor.
If you want your spotlight to link to your website or any of your social media platforms, include the URLs here.
https://www.youtube.com/c/WithJoyandSong

LDSPMA Member Spotlight: Cori Cooper

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What are some names of the books or other media you have created?
Bake Believe, Bake Off, and Bake Happy – comprising the Bake Believe Trilogy. Ta-da! I don’t know why, but it feels so exciting to have a trilogy out in the world! All three are upper Middle Grade/Young adult comedies about family and baking magic. I’ve also written several short stories and have two unrelated YA books coming out in 2023 – Ways to Improve Bailey and Sage Advice.
What inspired you to become a creator of media?
I am obsessed with stories! I love reading fictional stories in books, but also visiting with real-life people. Every one has such an extraordinary story! There is nothing in the world like reaching the end of a soul-satisfying story and taking a few minutes to revel in the awesomeness. When people read my stories, I hope they end up feeling better, happier, like life is do-able.
What has been the highlight of your career so far?
My daughter came home from school and told me one of her friends was reading Bake Believe at lunch, not knowing I was the author. When my daughter said, “My mom wrote that book!”, her friend got so excited. She asked a bazillion questions about the sequels and went on and on about how much she loves the book. Now, when I’m writing, and those gremlins in the peanut gallery start wondering if I’m wasting my time, I remind them of that little girl. If something I wrote brightens the world for one person – totally worth it.
What was the best advice you’ve ever been given in your creative journey?
To never, never, never give up. There will be people who don’t like my work, but there will be people who love it. There will be people who think I should quit, and there will be people who can’t wait for my next book. I can’t please everyone, but I can please someone. This advice has kept me going during my most discouraging times.
What advice do you have for someone just starting out in your field?
I would give the same advice I received and add on this little bit: if you feel called to create, then do it. Don’t worry about what sells, don’t worry if you’re good enough, don’t worry at all. Just write. Write on and on. Do it because you love it, and I promise there will be someone else who will love it too, at least one person. There are a lot of humans in the world!
What keeps you inspired in your daily creative work?
I have a strong conviction that the world needs good stories. Paraphrasing Margaret D. Nadauld, we have enough stories that are dark; we need stories that are light. We have enough stories that are edgy; we need stories that are fun! Life is hard, yes, but it is also pretty dang fantastic!
What would you like others to know about you or your creative process?
I am a squirrel! I like to work on multiple manuscripts at a time. The ideas flow all over the place so I record them on napkins, receipts, and crumpled pieces of paper. I try to organize myself, but then I just get random again. So now I embrace it. The reason I tell you this is, for reals, if I can write books, anyone can do it!
In what ways do you feel you have been able to be a voice for good in your creative pursuits?
I hope that I’ve added an element of fun to the world with my stories. Men are that they might have joy, right?
If you want your spotlight to link to your website or any of your social media platforms, include the URLs here.
https://coristories.com/, https://www.goodreads.com/author/dashboard?ref=nav_profile_authordash, https://www.facebook.com/coricooperauthor, https://www.instagram.com/authorcoricooper/?hl=en, https://www.amazon.com/Cori-Cooper/e/B08KYFHFCYref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share