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LDS author

Tips for the Creative Parent

March 3, 2023 By Tristi Pinkston 2 Comments

As parents, we want the very best for our children, and we devote a certain amount of time each day to seeing they have what they need. As children of God ourselves, we also feel the heavenly pull to “create something that did not exist before,” as Dieter F. Uchtdorf reminds us. Creation is a godly attribute, and our participation in the arts is pleasing to our Father in Heaven.

The book of Ecclesiastes tells us that to everything there is a season, and we may feel that our endeavors need to wait until our children are older. I certainly felt that way when I began my family, but then I was strongly prompted not to ignore my desire to write. It wasn’t easy, but as I learned to juggle my schedule, I was able to balance motherhood and a stay-at-home career, which proved to be necessary as the economy fluctuated.

Perhaps my experiences can be of use as you seek time to explore your creativity while also raising your family. My thoughts are geared toward writing, but they can be adapted to any artistic endeavor.

A young mother writes on her computer while balancing a baby on her lap.
A young mother writes on her computer while balancing a baby on her lap.

Preparing Meals and Snacks

While it’s best to prepare foods from scratch when possible, there are times when that’s just not reasonable or feasible. Simple breakfasts like cold cereal will do in a pinch (there are varieties with less sugar). You can also do cheese, crackers, carrot sticks, and lunch meat for lunch. I do try to prepare “actual dinners,” as my daughter puts it, and I do make breakfast and lunch, but on days when I’m seriously writing, I let mealtimes become more casual. Some ideas:

a. Keep yogurt in your fridge for a quick snack for you or the kids. Yogurt and a banana make a great breakfast, too.

b. Take a loaf of bread and make it into a whole stack of sandwiches. Then slide the sandwiches back into the bread sack. When someone needs a sandwich, they can just grab one out of the fridge.

c. Designate one crisper in your fridge to be a “snack drawer.” Fill it up with apples, cheese sticks, yogurt, etc. When your children want a snack, tell them to go get something out of the “snack drawer.” You can do the same thing in your cupboard. Make a basket with pretzels, raisins, crackers, etc. and have that be the special “snack basket.” You can take sandwich bags, break the packages down into serving sizes, and you’re your children they can have one so they don’t run off with the whole box.

d. Make meals ahead of time and stick them in the freezer.

e. When I buy a large package of meat, I like to cook it all up, divide it, and then freeze it. That way, when I go to use it, I just warm it through instead of having to both defrost and cook it.

f. Make tomorrow’s dinner while you’re making tonight’s. Cover it and put it in the fridge, then just throw it in the oven tomorrow night.

g. Teach your older children how to make sandwiches, warm up soup, prepare drinks, etc. They get a sense of pride in their accomplishments when they are allowed to help make a meal.

These are all things you can either direct from your desk or will help you spend less time in the kitchen, which equals more time at the computer.

Entertaining the Troops

a. There are many questionable streaming services and we need to make careful viewing choices, but there are some wonderful programs that are fun and educational. My kids have learned a lot from shows like CyberChase, Reading Rainbow, Sesame Street, The Magic School Bus, and the like. We also love Veggie Tales, which is based on Bible stories. There’s nothing wrong with turning on the TV and letting your kids watch a positive show while you write—keeping everything in balance, of course.

b. Get some paper and crayons and let your kids “write” a book of their own while you’re working.

c. Ask older children to read to the younger ones.

Simplifying Housework

a. I have to leave my desk and walk around periodically, so while I’m up, I’ll change out the laundry and put in a load of dishes. Usually by the time I’m done doing that, I’ll be ready to get back to work.

b. The happiest children are the ones who feel they are valuable in their homes and who have a sense of purpose. When you teach your children to do chores, you are helping them to feel needed. Of course, keep the chores age-appropriate so they aren’t unfair and don’t become overwhelming, and work alongside the child. As you team up to turn a half-hour job into a ten-minute job (freeing up twenty minutes), you’re also drawing closer together.

c. Reevaluate your thinking about housework. Are there ways you could simplify your routines? Can you put up with toys scattered across the floor for a little while so you can finish your chapter? Is it necessary to have your dishes perfectly stacked all the time? When you’re on a roll with your book, it’s okay to let some things slide until you’re done and catch up later.

Organizing Your Time

a. I like to assign certain tasks to certain days of the week. For instance, while I was a Cub Scout leader, Wednesday was Scout Day. After lunch, I’d sit down and review what I needed to do to prepare for the meeting at 4:30. I wasn’t writing during this time, or grocery shopping, or anything else. After the boys left, I’d look at the next week’s meeting. I’d do ahead-of-time prep work, and I’d put needed items on my shopping list. Then I didn’t have to think about it again until the next Wednesday. When I was a representative for a local direct sales company, Tuesday was my prep day for that. Look at your life – are there tasks you can isolate to one day a week?

b. Create an errand day. I used to run out and do errands several times a week, and I found I was away from home a lot. Now I designate an errand day. This usually coordinates with payday. I’ll pay the bills, and then I’ll go out and do my grocery shopping, trip to the post office, etc. all at once. It makes for about a two or three-hour trip, but it’s better for me to get it done and over with.

In each of these things, seek the guidance of the Spirit. You will be directed to fun activities for your children and ways to delegate and organize. You’ll find that you’re prompted to know when your children need you most and it’s time to put down your project, and you’ll be led in how to meet their needs most effectively. The Lord will bless your sincere desires to serve Him both as a parent and as a light to others by means of your art.   

A headshot of Tristi Pinkston.

About the Contributor

Tristi Pinkston is the mother of four, the wife of one, the author of one hundred and seventy-five, and the editor of oodles. She serves as the chairman of the board for the Bear Lake Arts Council and participates enthusiastically (if not with utmost skill) in their theatrical productions. She is currently the editor-in-chief for the resource library here on the LDSPMA website. You can learn more about her on her website.

    Filed Under: Articles, Craft Skills, Creativity, Faith & Mindset, Productivity, Writing Tagged With: LDS author, parenting, time management, Writer

    Channeling Your Inner Voice

    February 17, 2023 By LDSPMA Leave a Comment

    A person writes in their journal.

    Okay, I’ll admit it: I love NBC’s The Voice. It might be because of the amazing talent that presents itself on stage each week. It might be because of Adam Levine. Either way, if it’s on, I find myself dropping everything and listening. I can’t sing for the life of me, but I can imagine what those contestants must be feeling as they get on stage, hoping that one of the judges will pick their voice.

    As a writer, each time you send out a query, it is your own personal The Voice audition. Readers, agents, and publishers all want the same thing—a book they connect to and can’t put down. Most often, that means a book with voice. You’ve read it on agent page after agent page: “I’m looking for a fresh, unique voice.” “I love a totally original, hilarious voice.” “I want to represent stories that have an emphasis on voice-driven narratives.” “I love strong voices.” All those quotes are from actual agents who are currently seeking clients. The bottom line? It’s all about VOICE!

    What Is Voice?

    Let’s look at four distinctions that can help you figure out what voice is, how to find it, and how to mold it for the purposes of your book.

    Style: To be clear, style and voice are not the same thing, although they often influence each other. Style, as the dictionary puts it, is a “distinctive manner of expression.” It relates more to your words, the syntax you choose and reject, the way you compose your sentences, and the order in which you string the sentences together. Style (and, consequently, voice) can be short and to the point or long and flowing, flowery or blunt, conversational or formal. The audience to which you are writing helps determine the style. A gunslinging Western will likely have a much different style than a YA vampire romance.

    Voice: Voice, on the other hand, is the unique point of view through which you see the world. There are many ways to qualify that sentence—and debate it. Is it your quirky personality inadvertently coming through? Or is it a deliberate lens you apply to a particular story? For example, you, through your narrator, might frame everything from a skeptical or cynical point of view. Or you might see everything through a lens of hopefulness, a viewpoint that will come out in the narration—expressed, of course, in the style (the words and word relationships you choose). There may be a combination of whimsy or humor or stoicism or pragmaticism or a million other permutations that flavor your personal paradigm and the lens your narrator uses. To avoid a semantics debate and focus on what’s useful, know that either view of voice (the deliberate lens or the inadvertent personality leak) will get you where you want—just focus on those unique points of view that create a colorful narrative.

    Character voice vs. author voice: Since voice springs from deep within the author, it will influence, often at a subconscious level, the characters’ voices. That being said, it is important to note that an author’s voice and a character’s voice can be different. Your character does not need to talk like you do. Well-drawn characters will have their own personalities, as well as their own unique worldviews, but your point of view on life will influence how that unique character expresses his or her unique point of view (yes, dizzying)! For instance, no two authors will give the same voice to a thirties-something, dark-haired female accountant who loves sushi.

    The angle: Another way to look at the lens or point of view is to call it an angle. This is easiest to grasp in terms of nonfiction. In nonfiction, the fresh angle or lens through which you look at your material is often more overt than in fiction. If you are writing about the health of the body, for example, are you looking at it with a humorous, entertaining, thought-provoking lens, or with a more scientific approach? Or are you focusing on the facts and the applicable changes one could make to his or her health? Your agenda—your purpose for writing—will largely affect your approach to the material and your choice of style. This combination of style and approach/angle can make for “a new voice.”

    A good fiction example is The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd. She takes a much-covered topic in fiction—slavery—but examines it through the eyes of early female abolitionists who were also early feminists. The exploration of the connection between abolitionism and feminism (and slavery as it applies to the body and mind) is a fresh angle, and the character POV lens through which the story is told is also unique. Even more exciting, Sue Monk Kidd has a distinctive author voice that permeates all her books, even though the voice of each character is highly differentiated from all others she’s written (I call it her “quiet-power-poetic-wisdom” voice, and it is recognizable through her writing style but also her world views that emerge from each book). Her books would be great to study if you’re trying to understand the ins and outs of voice. Watch for patterns in her authorial “voice” (across her fiction and nonfiction) and then note how she uses fresh angles to create a compelling and original voice for each character and book.

    How Do You Find Your Voice?

    Embrace What Makes You Extraordinary.
    Part of finding your voice entails learning to appreciate your individuality. “We are all, each and every one, unique in the Universe. And that uniqueness makes us valuable” (James A. Owen, Drawing Out the Dragons). James has it right. The more you come to understand that, the closer you get to understanding your voice and how to use it most effectively. There are many talented authors out there, and sometimes, as you read an amazing book or story, you may feel that spark of longing to create something just as moving for someone else. Too often, we think the only way to do that is to sound like the author who inspired us. But as much as an author speaks to your heart and mind and soul, remember: the world already has that voice. What it doesn’t have yet is your voice. Get to know yourself—pay closer attention to what engages your curiosity, intellect, passions, and so on. Have others tell you what interesting, quirky, endearing, and annoying qualities they notice in you. Write down snippets of thought you have about the world around you.

    Discover Your World.
    Your voice is shaped by what you know and what you experience, so get out and learn. I don’t mean that you need to move to Fiji or climb K2 (unless you want to, of course). But visit the world around you, from museums and plays to natural wonders and sports events. Take a class. Try an activity totally outside your comfort zone. If you typically spend the weekend tailgating, attend the opera—and vice versa. If you get the chance, live in another state or country, even for a short while. Volunteer. Travel. Serve. Study. Work. Play. In short, live. Exploring—and challenging—your views and experiences will expand your voice and allow you to tune in to others’ views vicariously, enabling you to write characters with their own unique voices.

    Read.
    Read history, travel, psychology, mythology, economics, business, biography—read anything and everything. Reading not only expands your world but your knowledge about the world. Learn to look at things differently, and then experiment with showing that in your writing. Find authors you love and study them. What do you admire about their voices? Are you drawn to humor? Maybe there is a natural comedian in you just waiting to get out. Do you love the probing, expansive qualities of deep nonfiction? If you love it, it is probably because there is some of it inside of you.

    Write.
    Author Sarah Beard (Porcelain Keys) said, “I think I found my voice about halfway through my second round of revisions on my first novel.” I’ve also heard it said that you have to write four or five novels before you find your voice. And then there are people who just have a natural voice right out of the gate. No matter what camp you fall into, you will never find your voice unless you’re writing. If you’re struggling to find it in your story—or simply to recognize it—try some writing prompts. There are dozens of books and sites out there that will give you ideas for pushing your creativity from its comfort zone. This is the space where insights are most often born. (Do them with a friend and compare how your voices—your unique points of view—differ.)

    Finding your voice might be one of the hardest things you have to do as a writer, but don’t make it harder than it needs to be. The most effective way to kill your voice might be by trying to make it something it isn’t. Be yourself. It’s your voice; set it free!

    Do This Now

    Read what you’ve written and ask, “Does that sound like me?” If there are places where the answer is no, then fix them. Next, pay attention to how you talk. Are there certain things you say that are just you? I can’t hear the words “I know, right?” without thinking of my oldest daughter. If you need to, record yourself. If you still can’t hear your own unique vocabulary, ask others what they hear in your voice.

    Do a free write. One of the best ways to find your voice is by not holding it back. Just let yourself write and see what comes out. Don’t try to correct yourself. Don’t think; just write. A lot of times, your first try just may be your best work.

    Love your story and your subject matter. Chances are, you can tell the authors you gravitate toward really like (or care about) what they’re writing. There is a certain enthusiasm in their writing, and it reflects in every word. This doesn’t mean you have to write only about butterflies and rainbows. Maybe you get a thrill out of scaring your audience. Maybe you love the workings of the human mind. Maybe you’re a history nut. Even hard, scary, painful things in life need to be explored with conviction and passion. Write about what you love, or what you care deeply about, and your inner truth, joy, and purpose—your true voice—will manifest itself.

    (Written by Sabine Berlin with Heidi Brockbank and Angela Eschler. Reposted with permission from Eschler Editing.)

    Filed Under: Articles, Craft Skills, Creativity, Faith & Mindset, Writing Tagged With: blog, LDS, LDS author, Writer

    LDSPMA Member Spotlight: Cori Cooper

    September 12, 2022 By Trina Boice Leave a Comment

    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

    Filed Under: Member Spotlight Tagged With: Bake Believe, Bake Happy, Bake Off, baking book, fiction author, Latter-day Saint Publishing Media and the Arts, LDS, LDS author, LDS writer, LDSPMA, middle-grade book

    LDSPMA Member Spotlight: Debbi Rollo

    November 14, 2021 By Trina Boice Leave a Comment

    Debbi Rollo currently lives in Orem, Utah.

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

    Book of Mormon Rhymes
    Book of Mormon Rhymes: Isaiah Chapters
    Isaiah Joke Book
    (soon to be released)

    What inspired you to become a creator of media?

    I love finding creative ways to make the scriptures engaging, fun, and more understandable. I created Book of Mormon Rhymes after being inspired by a classic nursery rhyme book that was handed down to me by my grandmother. I read regularly to my grandchildren, whom we adopted after their parents’ death (our daughter and her husband). It lifted our spirits and helped heal our hearts. That’s how Book of Mormon Rhymes began, then other books followed.

    What has been the highlight of your career so far?

    The highlight is hearing how my book has impacted readers to improve their scripture study of the Book of Mormon. I love inspiring others to read the scriptures and creating ways for people to enjoy reading them in a unique, fun way.

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

    I try to keep in mind 2 Chronicles 15:7 “Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded.”

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

    Keep going, keep learning, find mentors, and don’t give up.

    What keeps you inspired in your daily creative work?

    The light and joy I feel each day when I create content. I believe our Spirit is designed to create—and I’ve discovered that writing lights up my spirit, which is addicting the more I do it.

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

    I pray before I write. I try to balance working IN my business and working ON my business (as a writer). Taking breaks is vital.

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

    I hope that my books inspire readers to enjoy the scriptures and to learn and love their teachings.

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

    https://www.bookofmormonrhymes.com/

    Filed Under: Member Spotlight Tagged With: author tips, Book of Mormon, Book of Mormon Rhymes, Debbi Rollo, Latter-day Saint Publishing and Media Association, LDS author, LDSPMA, nursery rhymes, scriptures

    LDSPMA Member Spotlight: Gale Sears!

    August 28, 2021 By Trina Boice Leave a Comment

    Gale Sears lives in Sandy, Utah.

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

    The Silence of God, Letters in the Jade Dragon Box, The Fifth Favorite, Christmas for a Dollar.

    What inspired you to become a creator of media?

    Multiple stories inside my head fighting to get out were what inspired me to create. My first love of the written word came in the second grade. My teacher, Mrs. Leamon, would read stories to us.

    What has been the highlight of your career so far?

    Being able to publish 10 novels has definitely been the highlight of my career so far. It is exciting and humbling each time a book proposal or manuscript is accepted.

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

    Every author has bad days, negative reviews, rejections, writing blocks. It happens, even to established writers. Find a person you trust to help you through those moments and who will realistically boost your confidence.

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

    Find a story you LOVE, and then tell it with enthusiasm. You need to be passionate about the story.

    What keeps you inspired in your daily creative work?

    The words. The story. The characters. A nibble of dark chocolate doesn’t hurt either.

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

    I am much more creative in the morning. By 3 p.m., my brain turns to mush.

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

    I write mostly historical fiction with an LDS thread running through. Hopefully, my stories not only open a new world of discovery for the reader but also lift their faith.

    Filed Under: Member Spotlight Tagged With: author Gale Sears, books, Christmas for a Dollar, Latter-day Saint Publishing and Media Association, LDS, LDS author, LDSPMA, LDSPMA Member Spotlight, Letters in the Jade Dragon Box, Mormon, The 5th Favorite, The Fifth Favorite, The Silence of God

    LDSPMA Member Spotlight: Victor La Vanway!

    August 21, 2021 By Trina Boice Leave a Comment

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

    Books:
    Bones in The Sand: The Extraterrestrial Connection to Earth
    Grandpa’s Collection of Mostly True Tales
    Painting: Emergency Landing Monochrome Acrylic (black, gray, white, 33 x 27 inches)

    What inspired you to become a creator of media?

    All that is the world around me, as well as a third grade classmate and friend, Robert Smith, who taught me how to draw with pencil and perspective. Our teacher, Mrs. Stevens, taught us how to think and write. The Old and New Testaments ignited my child imagination to real things beyond my sight but within the grasp of diligent, devoted practice.

    What has been the highlight of your career so far?

    I think my highlight is my collection of mostly true tales written for my children and grandchildren. The collection is humorous, serious, occasionally sad, imaginative, and edifying. It draws readers into experiences descriptive of earth life as adventurous, joyful, real, and astonishing. With faith in God, it’s an embraceable challenge.

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

    Find a better way to . . . Never give up. Rewrite.

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

    The advice I received above and would add, “God gave you talent, so don’t submit to discouragement.”

    What keeps you inspired in your daily creative work?

    The scriptures, the unfolding mysteries of Heavenly Father’s Kingdom, and people.

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

    I am a convert to the restored gospel and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. My experience confirms the principles of Christ’s doctrine. Psalm 1:2-3 and Doctrine and Covenants 46:8-9 tells of comfort and encouragement and instructs me in personal responsibility as steward of blessings and talents. Jesus Christ is the Ultimate Artist. If any person strives humbly and diligently, following His example, we may eventually achieve His stature and creative skills as joint-heirs with Him. Presently, I enjoy the wonder of discovery and the familiar patterns of practice.

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

    In my literary efforts, I have tried to lead readers to a consciousness of Heavenly Father and His plan for His children. Reserved for them are things “eye has not seen, nor ear heard.” All things are spiritual unto Him, but many things are exciting, cosmic, physical, mathematical, and scientific wonders as well, hinted at in his word, the scriptures. My motive is to point readers to things that will help them find love, joy, and eternal riches by devoting their lives to becoming the divine creatures Father counseled us to become and to glimpse the mysteries of our Father’s Kingdom.

    Filed Under: Member Spotlight Tagged With: Author, Bones in the Sand, Emergency Landing painting, Grandpa's Collection of Mostly True Tales, Latter-day Saint, Latter-day Saint Publishing and Media Association, LDS author, LDS painter, LDSPMA, LDSPMA Member Spotlight, Mormon, The Extraterrestrial Connection to Earth, Victor La Vanway

    LDSPMA Member Spotlight: Julie Spencer!

    August 14, 2021 By Trina Boice Leave a Comment

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

    I have over 30 publications, mostly romance and love stories. My most controversial novel is called Combustion, which is a powerful love story that readers have suggested should be on the required reading list for every high school in the world. In Combustion, readers see an emotional sexual assault through the eyes of the guy. My most popular fiction is a YA sports romance series is called All’s Fair in Love and Sports. I also have a romance/coming-of-age series called Rock Star Redemption, an action/adventure/romance series called Royal Family Saga, and several stand-alone romance/love stories that are LDS Christian fiction.

    What inspired you to become a creator of media?

    I’ve been writing and playacting since I was a little girl. I wrote my first novel in junior high but threw it away! What I wouldn’t give to have that manuscript back! My first published work was a poem in my junior high yearbook. My second published work was my master’s thesis. I didn’t write fiction again until I ran out of Twilight novels to read. Now I write the books I’d like to find on the shelves of bookstores and libraries. I love my characters and I love my readers.

    What has been the highlight of your career so far?

    Oddly, the highlights of my career so far come in the little moments. Every day, I publish a blog called Chapter-A-Day where I (courageously) publish unedited chapters from my current Work-in-Progress on my website and readers give me feedback. Sometimes, the feedback is critical. Usually, I’m told all the things my readers loved about the chapter and how they refresh the screen every little while, hoping the next chapter has been posted. The best compliments I receive are “I cried during chapter ten!” or “I didn’t see that twist coming!” or “I couldn’t put the book down!” Those are the highlights.

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

    Get better covers for your books! People really do judge a book by its cover. My first published book was called The Cove and I found a beautiful photograph of the lake where I grew up with a pretty sunset. The book is not about the lake and the sunset. It’s a love story between the two main characters. Once I had a professional cover designed, the book started selling. Also, research the names of books and carefully select a title that conveys the genre. People search for books with keywords. Learn the keywords for your genre.

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

    Write as much as you possibly can. Learn your craft. Don’t get distracted by the newest exciting thing but be open to new technology. Hire professionals to do the things you’re not good at or things that don’t have to be done by you. Anyone can do the dishes, mow the lawn, balance the checkbook, or shop for groceries. Only you can write the words in your head.

    What keeps you inspired in your daily creative work?

    My readers keep me inspired. I’ve had many readers tell me they refresh their screen hoping my next chapter has been posted. I can’t let them down. Receiving positive reviews buoys my resolve to put out the next book. Plus, I just love my own stories. I read back a particular passage and think, Dang, I’m a good writer! What the heck? Did I really write that? Yeah, I did. Vain? Maybe? Delusions of grandeur? Maybe. Do I care? No, not really. Go away, world. I’ve got more stories to write.

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

    I write all day, every day, as much as I can fit into my day. I don’t find writing to be a job or inconvenience or a chore. My ideal vacation would be for everyone else to go away and let me write all day, every day. I have more stories in my head than I’ll ever be able to get on paper in my lifetime. Until the Lord intervenes and finds a way to force me to stop writing, you will continue to see content emerging from my brain. Writing is my happy place.

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

    My stories contain a lot of my religious convictions, including maintaining the laws of chastity and healthy living, such as avoiding drugs and alcohol. Although I don’t mean for my books to be preachy, my characters learn things the hard way and thus my readers learn the same lessons. As a convert to the gospel, I’ve seen the world outside the Church, and there are a lot of challenges, especially related to alcohol. A huge percentage of the world’s problems would go away by removing alcohol. I want to be a positive influence on the world.

    If you want your spotlight to link to your website or any of your social media platforms, include the URLs here.
    https://www.authorjuliespencer.com/

    Filed Under: Member Spotlight Tagged With: alcohol, All's Fair in Love and Sports, Author, Christian fiction, Combustion, Julie Spencer, Latter-day Saint Publishing and Media Association, Law of Chastity, LDS, LDS author, LDS fiction, love story, media, romance, romance books, romance genre, romance novels, romance writer, Royal Family Saga, Twilight, writers, YA

    Member Spotlight: Elizabeth Hubbard!

    August 7, 2021 By Trina Boice Leave a Comment

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

    • Fight On! World War II and Cold War Experiences of Lt. Commander John R. “Jack” Hubbard USNR
    • The Search Never Ends: Musings of John R. “Jack” Hubbard
    • Adventures With A Historian: The Life and Times of John R. “Jack” Hubbard

    What inspired you to become a creator of media?

    It was an accident. I spent many years proofreading books my father wrote. In 2011, in an effort to maintain my sanity while recovering from major surgery, I worked side by side with my dad as he put his brother’s memoirs, letters, and notes into a manuscript for publication. I began by fact-checking everything I could because I quickly realized that my uncle’s story was as much a global history lesson as it was his personal story. I conducted extensive research to answer questions that arose during the compilation of the manuscript, then incorporated my findings into the book.

    What has been the highlight of your career so far?

    The highlight has been the encouragement and assistance received from David McCullough, Congressman Michael Burgess, and the University of Southern California.

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

    It is better to push back a release date than not verify that your facts are accurate, your grammar is correct, and your typos have been eliminated. Don’t be afraid to include photos, illustrations, maps, etc. if they add interest and/or understanding to the story but don’t use them just to fill up space.

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

    If you are writing nonfiction, make sure you document all sources and give credit where credit is due. Don’t be afraid to make cold calls to obtain more information and understanding.

    What keeps you inspired in your daily creative work?

    I’m inspired by looking at the mountain of source materials in cardboard boxes that sits in my office. To me, it’s too valuable to throw into the dumpster.

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

    I was surprised at the reaction of immediate and extended family members. Deep feelings ranging from anger and resentment to awe and wonder arose from the four corners of the world. As a result, we took out certain sections, deleted some names, and re-worded embarrassing or compromising sections to protect the innocent without compromising the integrity of the story.

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

    We were able to make the Amazon Best Sellers list without using profanity to tell war and espionage stories.

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

    http://www.punaluudata.com

    Filed Under: Member Spotlight Tagged With: Amazon, Amazon Best Sellers, Author, book, Cold War, Congressman Michael Burgess, David McCullough, Elizabeth Hubbard, Fight On, Historian, Latter-day Saint, Latter-day Saint Publishing and Media Association, LDS, LDS author, LDS writers, LDSPMA, nonfiction, University of Southern California, USNR, war memoirs, World War II

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