LDSPMA

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

Writer

Member Spotlight: Jen Brewer!

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Jen Brewer lives in Rochester, Minnesota.

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

The Bench – a parable that follows a young mother through her journey of finding and fulfilling her personal purpose.
Lazy Hydroponics online course – a course that teaches people how to build and grow a hydroponic garden in their home.
Be the Chocolate Chip – a short book geared toward the youth to teach how to not ‘melt’ in the oven of the world.
Stop Dieting and Start Losing Weight for Good – a book sharing principles of health and how to build a toolbox of actions to create a healthy life.

What inspired you to become a creator of media?

I have always loved writing and teaching. I have a book constantly swirling around inside my head. I love to speak and see light bulbs come on as someone grasps a new concept or understands an old story in a new light.

What has been the highlight of your career so far?

Seeing a book make its way from my head, through the various stages of writing and editing, to come out in a finalized format. It’s so surreal to hold one of my books in my hands for the first time.

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

To be true to my story. To take advice but not lose my essence in the creative process.

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

Go for it! The world needs YOUR story, told through YOUR eyes. It’s easy to get intimidated by all of the already published authors out there, but you have a unique voice to share.

What keeps you inspired in your daily creative work?

Seeing the power of God makes my words more than they ever could be. When I get in the zone and become more of a faucet for God’s inspiration, I feel a complete oneness with the Spirit. It’s such a cool feeling.

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

It’s a constant roller coaster. I can be completely in the groove one day and hit a major creative wall the next. I am definitely a work in progress!

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

I have fused my nutrition education with my creative pursuits and have jumped into the world of humanitarian work. All of the profits from my books or courses go directly to fund humanitarian projects. I have loved giving a voice to forgotten communities around the world by telling their stories.

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

http://www.jenbrewer.com

Member Spotlight: Steve Dunn Hanson!

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Steve Dunn Hanson lives in Veradale, Washington.

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

I have written articles for the Ensign and scripts for several Church Audiovisual Department leadership training videos. I also have published three nonfiction books, including Joy: The Other Side of Sorrow, 10 Principles of Love to Help You Parent Your Adult Children (co-authored), and Observations: The Book of Mormon. My published fiction books include The Mission, The Course of Fate trilogy (FIND, SHATTER, GATHER), and Sealed Up, the precursor to The Course of Fate series. In addition, I post my “cogitations,” poetry, and photography on my website.

What inspired you to become a creator of media?

President Spencer W. Kimball’s article in the July 1977 Ensign, “The Gospel Vision of the Arts,” spoke to my soul. Two statements he made particularly resonated with me: “Inspired Saints will write great books and novels and biographies and plays” and “Real craftsmanship, regardless of the skill involved, reflects real caring, and real caring reflects our attitude about ourselves, about our fellowmen, and about life.”

What has been the highlight of your career so far?

When people tell me after reading one of my books or articles or poems, that their lives have been affected, or that they see things now that they didn’t before, or that their love for the Savior has expanded, or that they have a new sense of peace and comfort, I rejoice in being an instrument, for that has been my intent. Those kind of responses are my highlights.

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

Listen! Listen to your readers. Listen to those trying to help you. Listen to the Spirit.

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

The same advice I was given: Listen! In addition, Read! Read! Read! That’s how you learn to write. And I’ll pass on a phrase I always use: “I write to be edited!” That’s another way of saying, “Be humble, seek advice, and listen.”

What keeps you inspired in your daily creative work?

My constant prayer is to write meaningfully and write that which will be of worth to my readers. Then I try to listen and go to work. I am not often disappointed.

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

My dear friend and mentor, Kaye Terry Hanson, told me, “Writing is easy. Just dip your pen in your blood and write.” For me, writing is hard, painful, often frustrating, and disappointing . . . and it is the process to my inspiration. That’s why I write.

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

My first book, The Mission, a fictional account of a young man on a full-time mission struggling to find himself, was published 34 years ago. Even after all this time, I am still approached by men who are grandfathers now and who said they read that book as young missionaries, and it changed their mission and their lives. That does not cease to be an emotional, gratifying experience for me.

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

https://stevedunnhanson.com/

Member Spotlight: Oakli Van Meter!

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

I’m currently working on a book series, so I haven’t published yet, but I do have a blog that I try to write on! I started it by suggestion from a professor at BYU and it’s been on and off but I’m hoping to focus on it and build it up in the future!

What inspired you to become a creator of media?

My dad is an author (Jason F. Wright who’s most known for his New York Times best-selling book Christmas Jars), and I’ve always enjoyed reading and writing. I used to read 3 books on a weekend during high school. Life’s a little busier now, but I still love reading and creating media.

What has been the highlight of your career so far?

My career is just getting started since I just graduated last year. One thing I’ve done that was so fun is live editing a book my dad wrote live. So he wrote the book live for fans to watch and I edited live as he wrote. It was a fun experience and definitely challenged me with all those people watching!

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

Prioritize what matters most. There have been times in my life where I haven’t been able to enjoy reading and writing as much as others. And that’s okay. As long as the most important things come first. But your creativity is important, too.

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

One thing that has really helped me is reading books about writing. As both a writer and an editor, this has helped immensely in honing my craft. My favorite by far is, Save the Cat Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody. As a writer, it’s helped me write better and as an editor, it’s helped me edit better. I’ve learned how to give better feedback about the story and the content.

What keeps you inspired in your daily creative work?

Music. I find a lot of inspiration and ideas in the lyrics of music. I love to listen to music while writing, too.

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

Everyone is different. I love listening to music while I write and some people may find it distracting. I don’t write in long chunks—mostly for lack of time. If I get 20-30 minutes in, that’s awesome for me. It takes forever, but writing is more of a side thing for me right now, so it works out perfectly.

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

When I’m editing, I try to focus on the good things someone did. I don’t love giving critiques, so I try to focus more on the good and mention the critiques more lightly. I hope that has made the people I’ve worked with feel good.

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

http://www.wiseoleoak-wordpress.com

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: Sharla Goettl!

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Sharla lives in Newberg, Oregon with her husband and three daughters.

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

Spiritual Resilience: Leading Our Youth to Go and Do, is a Latter-day Saint nonfiction book about how to make a greater impact as parents.

The Goal Maker is a guided questionnaire to help determine the next best step in building your faith.

Am I a Good Enough Leader For My Family? is an article written for the Leading Saints organization.

What inspired you to become a creator of media?

As a stake Young Women president, I have felt inspired to find deeper answers to the questions youth and their parents ask all the time. The youth of today will be the heroes of tomorrow. It will be their ability to give more relevant answers and apply innovative solutions that will bring about future miracles. I feel it is our responsibility as their parents and leaders to support them any way we can.

What has been the highlight of your career so far?

I have been a youth leader almost every year of my adult life. The families I have interacted with frame my testimony with their experiences. There have been moments when youth were not receiving the support they deserved at home, yet they remained resilient anyway. There have been times when the youth have supported me in my own shaky moments. It has been a pleasure to relive some of these treasured memories in the principles I discuss in my writing. But truly, the honor was being welcomed into their lives in the first place.

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

My grandmother was a novelist, poet, and long-time teacher. She poured over her words with tender care while living in a tiny tribal outpost surrounded by her five rowdy sons and eager students. She found joy and solace in her writing. In her patriarchal blessing, given when she was a young woman, it reads “spare not in lifting up thy voice to take a full part in every endeavor.” Commitment to the craft of communicating Christ’s gospel and eternal truths is an endeavor I am motivated to “take a full part.” My task will be to spare not my voice.

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

Pray often. The task of writing this first book has taken many months of writing and many months of editing and many months of publishing and many months of marketing. The task could have gone much more smoothly if I had remembered to consistently pray before starting my work. If I ever forgot, I would consistently come to a point where I would need to start over. The reminder that I was not doing my work alone was constantly in my mind. Regardless of the task before you, prayer will always help the process go more efficiently.

What keeps you inspired in your daily creative work?

I have three teenage daughters who are consistently out-performing me. They are artists, friends, designers, thinkers, and givers of testimony. They will continually do things better than I can do myself. They inspire me every day to support them and their peers. I eagerly seek their guidance and am improved by it. I ask how they would handle a situation and am changed by it. I leverage their creativity and am amazed by it. I try to keep up so they will know their mama tried so hard to teach them in a way they deserved to be taught.

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

My answers are not my own. The insights I write about were first written in the scriptures by the men and women who were authorized to speak on behalf of our Savior. My task has been applying their words in a modern context. The concept of eternal truth is always in my mind. Christ is a good enough creative director to not let any words or any experience go to waste. The knowledge is there and always has been. The only difference between now and the end of the Restoration will be our ability to understand what we already have.

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

I hope I have offered a voice of confidence to parents and youth who feel overwhelmed or not quite good enough for the task at hand. I hope I have laid out my arguments well enough to counteract the doubtful words in their heads. I truly believe we have a purpose and every capacity needed to fulfill it. I hope I have provided a connection between daily life and eternal covenants so that more people can benefit from the guarantees they offer.

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

http://www.sharlagoettl.com
https://www.facebook.com/authorsharlagoettl
https://www.instagram.com/authorsharlagoettl/

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: 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