LDSPMA

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

LDSPMA Member Spotlight

Member Spotlight: Fred Dodini!

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Dr. Fred Dodini lives in Carmel, IN.

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

Shine Brighter: Choosing a Life of Greater Clarity, Purpose, and Joy (book)
“My Mary”: A Story of Redemption (s0ng)

What inspired you to become a creator of media?

Media is one of the most powerful ways to share an important message, and I believe I have some important messages to share.

What has been the highlight of your career so far?

Distilling a lifetime of study and unique experiences, challenges, and ponderings into a life-coaching model, a story, and a song that can change lives for the better.

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

There’s an audience who needs what you have to offer. You just need to keep searching until you find each other.

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

Learn all you can about your subject or craft and then change it, improve it, and make it your own.

What keeps you inspired in your daily creative work?

As a therapist, I love seeing my ideas and their application, improve people’s lives.

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

My creative process tends to be slow and tedious at times, and spontaneous and revelatory at other times. Mostly slow and tedious. But eventually, I seem to come up with something worthwhile.

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

I try to avoid the trivial and focus on the transcendent. If I’m going to create something, I want it to have meaning, purpose, and impact. I want it to have value long after I am gone and be something that future generations—mine and others—may benefit from.

Member Spotlight: Heidi Tucker!

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Heidi Tucker lives in Cave Creek, Arizona.

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

3 award-winning nonfiction inspirational books: The Secret Keepers, Servie’s Song, and Finding Hope in the Journey

What inspired you to become a creator of media?

I had a dream and saw my hands holding a book and knew it was mine. A voice told me to write the book. I knew it was a calling from Heavenly Father, so I summoned all the courage and faith I could and wrote Finding Hope in the Journey. I believe the other two books are callings as well. These two individuals, whose true stories I wrote, came directly into my path. I knew I was called to write their stories. I think of this journey as a mission to bring light and hope to the world.

What has been the highlight of your career so far?

Winning “Best Inspirational” and “Book of the Year” awards for my books is such an honor. But the true highlights come when readers contact me to tell me how my books have changed their lives. That’s why I continue to write.

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

A copy editor is worth every cent. I can submit my best manuscript, but after a good copy editor’s review and input, it’s even better.

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

You’re going to hear the word NO over and over again. Push through all the negativity or find another door. Writing and actually completing a book takes grit. Focus on your passion for the project and don’t let the world tear you down.

What keeps you inspired in your daily creative work?

Whether I’m filming for my YouTube channel, posting on social media, speaking at a conference, or writing a new book, the mission is the same: to bring light and hope to the world. My work is viewed by both members of our church and those of other religions. It is my way of serving as a missionary. What inspires me to keep going is the feedback from individuals. Their emails and comments remind me why I’m doing this and it propels me forward to the next project.

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

I call it my writing cave. I have to dedicate a period of time each day to solely focus on my project. I silence all emails and phone calls and listen to inspirational music while I write my books. I’m most creative in the morning or late at night, so I schedule writing during those times if possible. I kick-off every writing session with a prayer of gratitude for my gift of writing and to “feel” the story enough that my words will inspire others.

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

I believe every story not only teaches a gospel principle but can make the reader FEEL it. I’m drawn to true stories about people who have risen up from the ashes from really difficult struggles and tragedy. Their relentless perseverance and ability to cling to faith motivates all of us to move forward in our own lives. We can ALL do hard things and reading someone else’s story inspires us to stand up and take another step. Their stories become ours—the details are just different.

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

Website: https://www.thepickledsunflower.com
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9iNhtoorcGrOSvBn6iJ2jg
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heidi.tucker.10

Member Spotlight: Mariah K. Newton Porter!

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Mariah K. Newton Porter lives in Utah County.

What are some names of the books or other media you have created?
Tomorrow I Will Make a List: Managing the Depressive Habit of ProcrastinationRecovering Happily Ever After: That Prince Guy; This Glass Heart; These Extraordinary ThornsSilenced No More (podcast)
What inspired you to become a creator of media?
I have depression and anxiety and it’s made me feel incredibly alone. I want to create media that helps people like myself to feel like they’re not suffering in silence, that they are seen.
What has been the highlight of your career so far?
I’ve started a podcast that features people affected by mental illness, and the answers we’ve gotten from participants so far are phenomenal.
What was the best advice you’ve ever been given in your creative journey?
Write through the writer’s block. There’s no other way.
What advice do you have for someone just starting out in your field?
You are not alone! It’s going to feel impossible and it’s going to feel like what you want to do is bigger than you. That’s a good thing. Whatever you create IS bigger than you and it’s supposed to be that way. Just trust in yourself and your finished product will do what it’s supposed to do.
What keeps you inspired in your daily creative work?
The fact that I still feel alone! I hate that I’m suffering, but it reminds me that there are other people suffering, too. All I can do is get my projects out there to help ease the burden of others.
What would you like others to know about you or your creative process?
It’s a very spiritual process for me. I rely heavily on intuition, and I prioritize the mental health themes, so my finished products may look different than mainstream products.
In what ways do you feel you have been able to be a voice for good in your creative pursuits?
I HAVE made people feel less alone! I’ve shown people that they aren’t the only ones that suffer, and that there is hope for them.
You can learn more about Mariah Porter and her projects at:
mariahkporter.com

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.

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.

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.

Member Spotlight: Hannah Johnson!

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Hannah Johnson lives in Provo, Utah, and is the BYU Chapter President of LDSPMA!

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

Edits for The Freelance Framework and the Enyo Shatterbelt series.

What inspired you to become a creator of media?

Like many in the Latter-day Saint Publishing & Media Association, I was a chronic reader. I started publishing reviews on Goodreads when I was thirteen. Eventually I found myself writing reviews that were both analytical and constructive. I started to wonder if my perspectives could make these books better. It wasn’t until BYU announced its new editing and publishing major—just a few months before I arrived—that the pieces fell into place and my pipe dream started to feel like a reality.

What has been the highlight of your career so far?

I’ve loved my developmental editing internship with Book Development Resources because they allowed me so much creative freedom. One book in particular required extensive brainstorming to solve several structural weaknesses. Finding a new plot point that killed all three birds with one stone and seeing the book’s transformation was so fulfilling; it confirmed to me that I’m in the right place.

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

There’s more than one way to cook an egg! If something isn’t sounding right despite the grammatical rules, find a different way to say it!

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

I am someone just starting out in my field (I won’t graduate for another year), but for everyone else out there struggling, I say take every opportunity! Don’t ever think you’re underqualified before you look into it. I would have never believed I’d be on the LDSPMA board, but I’m so grateful that I took the opportunities that brought me here!

A graphic of a typewriter and the word "Editing," since Hannah Johnson is an editor.
What keeps you inspired in your daily creative work?

I like to think of positive stories as missionary work. The scriptures are often told in stories, and that’s how we best remember the lessons we learn. To me, the Plan of Salvation is the greatest story ever told. Bringing that spirit into my work always helps me refocus.

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

Because BYU’s editing and publishing program is in the college of linguistics, my editing is strongly rooted in how people actually speak and process language. It’s surprising to some, but I believe it produces the most accessible results.

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

Asking honest questions and starting conversations has brought both goodness and greatness into my collaborative efforts. In specific projects, sincere communication has steered our novels and journals toward the most positive product. As a Gen Z-er in the larger publishing community, honestly acknowledging concerns has brought understanding and peace to me and other young members of the Church as we struggle to find our footing in a quickly changing industry.

Where can we find you online?

My website, HannahJohnsonEdits.com, and on LinkedIn and Goodreads.

Member Spotlight: Julie Ann Toomey!

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Julie Ann Toomey lives in McKinney, Texas.

What are some names of the books or other media you have created?
Failure to Thrive – My Journey to Mental Health – published 2018
Through the Eyes of a Friend – coming soon!
What inspired you to become a creator of media?
I’ve always needed to write. I write in my journal a lot and it’s an outlet for me when something crazy in my life happens. It also helps me get all of the words in my head out!
What has been the highlight of your career so far?
Publishing my autobiography.
What advice do you have for someone just starting out in your field?
Keep going! Keep creating! It will be amazing!
What keeps you inspired in your daily creative work?
I don’t know. If I don’t write, I feel like something is missing. I also like to connect with my friends on social media and have writing sprints, which helps me get the words down on paper.
In what ways do you feel you have been able to be a voice for good in your creative pursuits?
I’m a HUGE advocate for mental health. My second book, Through the Eyes of a Friend, is about my friend who committed suicide. I hope that it will help people with those kinds of thoughts to rethink that choice, to realize how much they are loved, even when they don’t understand why.
You can learn more about Julie Ann and her creative work at:
julieann.toomey.org