It’s Complicated: How Authors Really Feel About Their First Book

January 30, 2023 Jaycee Weaver39 Comments

Confession: I don’t like my first book. I’m actually pretty embarrassed by it.

Back in 2017 when I first wrote What Could Be, I was like a proud new first-time mama. My book baby was perfect. Beautiful. And certain to make its mark on the world.

Aaaaaaand then I read it again months after I’d released it into the world. My face burned with embarrassment and regret. I wanted to immediately unpublish it and hide it away for eternity. The pacing was slow. The heroine was annoyingly perfect. The chemistry fell flat. And wow, I really should have hired an editor. Instead, I’d already turned it into a series! Ever the problem solver, I got a team together and put that book through more editing, proofreading, critiquing, and then launched a second edition.

And it’s still not a great book.

Each book in the series is an improvement over the one before, but not everyone gives them a chance because there are still so many problems with that first book. Now, while I try to love the book that made me a published author, my feelings toward it are…complicated. As it turns out, I’m not alone in feeling this way.

Here’s what some of our own InspyRomance authors had to say about their first books:

“I recently revisited the manuscript of my first book, Holding on to Someday, and it makes me cringe at some of the errors I made. I wish I had time to go back and rewrite some of it, but then it wouldn’t be a first book, would it? lol!“ – K Leah

Teresa Tysinger says, “When I set out to write my first book, I knew a lot about storytelling — I had been an avid reader and studied literature for a long time. But I knew very little about the craft of writing a novel as a sellable product. I’m so incredibly proud of my first book, Someplace Familiar. It represents a courage I didn’t think I had. When I look over it, however, it is easy to find things I’d change. No matter your career or hobby, though, shouldn’t we look back and see growth since the beginning?“

“Authors aren’t supposed to publish the first book they ever wrote. But I didn’t hear that advice until after I’d already released Falling for the Foe. It has a flabby middle and I wish I’d known then how to ratchet up the dramatic tension. I was so shy about writing kisses that the lead characters only manage a hug at the end! Despite that, I’m proud of what this book stands for. It’s a signpost of how God brought to fruition my desire to share stories, and it’s introduced the country of my birth to many readers.” – Milla Holt

Merrillee Whren was a lot smarter than I was. Ha ha! She said, “The first and the second books I wrote never came close to seeing publication. My first sale to Love Inspired was the 9th book I wrote. I eventually sold them the fourth and fifth books, after I went back and revised them. A good portion of my sixth book became part of my Pinecrest series. The eighth book was my RWA Golden Heart winner and my first indie book. I eventually indie published the third book by cutting a lot of it and turning it into a novella.”

Liwen Y. Ho’s remarks sum up my own feelings so well! “I’m grateful that I was able to start my author journey with Taking a Chance on the Heartbreaker, but am I proud of the book? Not exactly. Lol. It is what it is though—a story (based on my own love story) of God’s grace and redemption and how He took something broken and made it beautiful. It’s also very much a reminder of how much I’ve grown as an author since then and how God can take something so imperfect and use it for good. I had to start somewhere as an author and I’m thankful it was with that book.”

Regarding her debut novel, Elizabeth Maddrey says, “I still love the story of my first book, Wisdom to Know, but it’s also one of those situations where I didn’t know how much I didn’t know (despite having read a lot of craft books.) Readers generally still have positive things to say about it, and there’s a part of me that isn’t sure I’d be able to write the story today with out that optimistic ignorance that comes with being a debut author.”

I very much understand what she means. Writing—or pursuing any creative endeavor, really—requires revealing a part of ourselves to the world. That’s a very vulnerable position to find ourselves in. Without that “optimistic ignorance,” I imagine few creatives would have the guts to put their work into the world. But what a tragedy that would be!

“I published the very first book I ever wrote, Love on Ice, last year just in time for the 2022 Winter Olympics. Even after loads of editing, there are still things I’d tweak. But do I love it? Absolutely! (And I’m thankful readers like it too!)” – Carolyn Miller

Like Merrillee Whren, Lindi Peterson didn’t publish her first book. “There are two things I remember about my first manuscript. At the end of every chapter my heroine went to sleep–and when I actually wrote the end, I printed it, (which took ages back then!) and set it on the kitchen table, declared to my husband, ‘I wrote a book. I wrote The End!’ He asked what I was going to do with it. I said ‘I have no idea!’ That book will never be published. “

I especially admire Shannon Taylor Vannatter’s frankness in her confession: “Ugh!! I have 2. Both published by small print on demand publishers (when it was a new thing) and completely unedited. I want readers to know that anything published before 2010 is badly written. There were only 2 of them, but they were really bad. 2010 and after, I had an editor. And boy did I need one. I still need one.“

Veteran author Valerie Comer shares her own reflection on what it was like to reread her early books. “About a year ago, I decided to set a new series in the world of my first published series, so I reread all six books and made copious notes. My first book, Raspberries and Vinegar, made me cringe so many times! It feels so clunky to me now, but I couldn’t think of any way to make it better without a total rewrite that would change the essence of the story. The readers who found me through that first book… and loved it… are still my most avid fans. But boy, do I feel like my writing is so much stronger 40-some books later!“

“I still love the story I told in Falling on Main Street, but I cringe when I see the writing itself… so much narration, not a lot of emotional impact, and a lot of cliches. But – it was the story of my heart and God has been faithful to use it and readers still seem to enjoy it!” – Tara Grace Ericson

Angela Ruth Strong says, “Finding Love in Sun Valley makes me cringe, but I’m so thankful for it. I wrote it during the most difficult year of my life, so I basically went through aversion therapy. I also don’t think my work was ready to be published yet, but at the same time, it was a gift from God. It was released in hardback, sold in Costco, and optioned for film, which likely will never happen again. God was pretty much saying, ‘You can do this. Don’t give up. Your life story is just getting started.’“

InspyRomance alum Janet W. Ferguson shared her candid thoughts as well. “I read and rewrote Leaving Oxford so many times, it makes me crazy to try to look at it for any reason. I’ve thought about adding a 5th book to that series, but that would mean I might have to, so I have put it off indefinitely.”

The truth is, “it’s complicated,” defines the relationship every author has with their first book. Whether or not that book was ever published, there’s a mix of pride and embarrassment whenever we consider that early work. And that makes sense. After all, we’re supposed to grow with experience and get better with practice, no matter what we put our hands to. Ball players don’t reach the pros if they remain at their high school level. James Beard awarded chefs don’t cook the way they did their first time in the kitchen. Lucky for them, their first dish is nothing more than a memory, while authors’ early works continue to line shelves for anyone to pick up and judge.

So as you’re reading those backlist books from your favorite (or even new) authors, please consider them with grace and know that we’re improving our craft little by little as flawed humans who have to learn and grow like anyone else. Try not to judge our early efforts too harshly. Because we know those books are a little rough, but we’re not the same anymore. And if you’ve ever given an author a try, only to DNF a book for its flaws, maybe give one of their later books a chance. You may just find they’ve come into their own and figured out a thing or two about storytelling.

My dear friend Toni Shiloh had this to say to her author friends recently, and it’s such a wonderful perspective that I have to share. “A LIFE TO LIVE is the very first book I ever wrote and published. But for so many years I have looked at it in shame. Cringing at the “bad writing”, “broken rules” writers aren’t supposed to do, and remembering what that very first cover looked like… But I don’t want to look at my efforts any longer and be a harsh critic who holds no grace. … This book gave my first good reviews, got me readers who wanted to know when I’d publish another book. This book led me to the wonderful Christian fiction author community and the many talented authors I’ve met along the way. This book gave me fans who are still reading every book I publish and cheering for me without prompt. This book is a sign of growth as a writer and turning dreams into reality. I’m proud of this story and proud of where I am today.”

Thanks for joining me today! Have you read any of these authors’ debut novels? What made you love that book or decide to keep reading their work even if that one wasn’t your favorite? Are you more likely to give them grace if you’ve read their later books? Share your thoughts in the comments!

And because I’m working toward loving my first book again, I’m giving the Everyday Love series a facelift. They’ll get new covers next month, and there’s a new series order! I’m sharing the images with YOU first. 😊 What do you think?

Until next time,

Sister Stories

September 29, 2022 Jaycee Weaver12 Comments

The sister relationship is one of the most complicated. From best friends to mortal enemies, every set of sisters has a different dynamic and relationship, and that’s true not only from family to family but sister to sister within the same family.

With three daughters and a sister of my own, it’s definitely a relationship I have a lot of experience with. I’ve had a lot of conversations with mom friends who grew up with sisters or raised multiple daughters, and the best word to describe each sister relationship is, perhaps, complicated.

A sister is both your mirror and your opposite. – Elizabeth Fishel

Family dynamics fascinate me, especially birth order studies. I love exploring the commonalities and differences. But there’s just something extra intriguing about sisters, which is why I wrote a trio of them in my Sinclair Sisters trilogy.

A sister is a little bit of childhood that can never be lost. – Marion C. Garretty

While each book focuses primarily on the heroine finding romance, I did something a little different in this series. In each book, each chapter contains a peek into their pasts as well as their unfolding present day story. Often there’s an interaction between the hero and heroine that plays into their present day romance, but equally as often there’s another relationship played a role in pushing her forward toward resolving a conflict with the hero: her sister.

It’s funny, because I never set out to make these ROMANCES into a sister trilogy. From the beginning of This and Every Christmas, Clari talked about her sisters. They were united in their parents’ obsessive affection for all things Christmas, and slowly I began to understand how vital the relationship between the three girls was to them. Clari was a natural teacher and mother figure to Lucy (and her other students) in large part because an oldest sister grows up playing those roles by default.

As I wrote this book during the pandemic quarantine of 2020, my three daughters were stuck with each other 24/7 with no way to distance except for their bedroom doors. I began to realize how important the sister relationship was to each of them (my girls AND the fictional Sinclair girls). They fought like crazy but became incredibly close. They developed inside jokes. Shared experiences. They will forevermore have stories that only the three of them know and understand. Even now that we’ve moved on to a more normal life as teenagers, they still have secret conversations, sister sleepovers, push each other’s buttons, and fiercely defend when an outsider treats one of them poorly.

We didn’t want to admit it then, but we were friends. – Shannon Celebi

In writing Charlie—aka CJ—Sinclair’s book Now and Forever Christmas in 2021, the sister relationship played an even larger role in helping CJ’s romance with Tobin unfold. In the past scenes, youngest sister Cindy proves the perfect listener when CJ needs one, providing insight she didn’t expect from someone three years younger. In the present, CJ found refuge and healing in her older sister’s home. She’s the bridge between her oldest and youngest sister, equally close to both but in very different ways.

You’re not my best friend. You’re my sister, and that’s more. – Jenny Han

Cindy’s story has been the most difficult to write because I watch my youngest trying to find her own place with two older sisters who are polar opposites and understanding Cindy probably felt the same way. While the Sinclair sisters bonded over their mutual teenage embarrassment, they grew apart over the years as distance and life experience separated them. Cindy chose to stay in Florida after college. She loves her independent life, but of course, she still misses her family. Still longs for their former closeness. A part of her would love to live nearby and watch her nieces and nephews grow up. But she also needs her space and to live life on her own terms. It’s been fun to explore the way she sees that sister dynamic through a third lens I haven’t yet explored.

So distant yet so close. So different yet so similar. That’s why I love my sister. – Maxime Lagacé

Cindy’s story, Not Another Christmas, comes out next month in the 2022 Christmas Lights Collection, Destination Christmas. I’m excited to share it with you October 18th! If you haven’t already read them in the 2020 and 2021 Christmas Lights Collections, the first two Sinclair Sisters books are available now on Amazon.

The greatest gift our parents ever gave us was each other. – Unknown

I know Tara Grace Ericson and Marion Ueckermann have contemporary romance series following sisters, but I would LOVE it if you’d share any other CONTEMPORARY Christian/Inspirational romance series or books where the sister relationship plays a significant role. Or if you’ve read Clari and CJ’s stories, tell me if you thought the sister dynamic rang true for you! OR, share with us some of your own sister stories! I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

Until next time,

Devotional Thought · Real Life

The Black Moment

August 30, 2022 Jaycee Weaver40 Comments

Last week, our own Lindi Peterson touched briefly on the topic of black moments framed from the perspective of The Storm Before the Rainbow. Many of you know I’ve experienced my own storm this past year, and I’ve clung to the hope of seeing the rainbow with everything I’ve had. Today I’d like to go deeper on the topic, and maybe even get a little personal.

If you’re still not clear on the term “black moment,” it’s that pivotal point between the second and third act when all hope seems lost. The main character is faced with losing what their heart longs for most—what they’ve been fighting for or against the whole story—and must face internal conflict that’s driven them to or from their goal all along.

Generally, it’s a false belief (i.e. I’ll never love again, I can’t be with him/her) or fear (i.e. everyone leaves, I’m unworthy of love) or both. Whatever it is, that thing holds them back from moving forward toward their happy ending until they confront it and accept the truth.

It’s especially beautiful in Christian fiction because we know the Source of all hope, freedom, and love, so when the hero or heroine faces their darkest moment, there’s a natural opportunity for them to be free of it in Christ. Obviously, that doesn’t always require a profound salvation moment on the pages. Many times it’s simply applying what they know to be true because of their faith and finally surrendering it to the Lord. Christian characters, like real-life Christians, naturally go through storms that require us to surrender.

To be completely honest, I don’t always love black moments in fiction.

I’ve been known to choose books by authors who don’t write them at all (like Brooke St. James), simply because I’ve had enough black moments in my life or in my loved one’s lives that I just need something completely happy to escape into. A romance where the relationships are easy. There’s conflict, obviously, because conflict always drives any story, but that conflict doesn’t always come from an internal issue or tension between hero and heroine. Sometimes it’s a circumstance or inconvenience that they deal with, without a lot of drama, and everything ends well.

But while I thrive on those books, they aren’t typically the ones that stick with us. The books that leave a profound mark—when we close the cover with a sigh and simply hold it in our arms, savoring that deliciously satisfying feeling—give us that satisfaction by putting us through the wringer. By putting the characters through the wringer. The deeper the lows, the more gratifying the highs.

It’s been two years of black (at at least dark and bleak) moments for most everyone I know, but this is where the power of story really hits home for me. Where story translates from fictional escape to real-world application. The victories we read on the pages give us hope that in our own black moments, God will be there for us, too, speaking love and truth and peace into our storms and reminding us that He made the rainbow to come after as a promise.

Sometimes I write my own personal black moments into my characters.

For instance, Ada in More Than Enough battles perfectionism and feelings she’ll never be enough no matter how much she does and does and does for other people. It was hard to knock her down in the length of a novella, but I know all too well how those feelings can be a tripping hazard and get in the way of surrendering all to the Father. I sat in that theater with her, knowing intimately that no amount of doing and helping and fixing will ever be enough to silence the lies that I AM NOT enough. But HE is.

Jenna from Whatever Happens Next cries out to God because she used to hear His voice so naturally. She sees the dust on her Bible and opens its pages and wonders why He no longer speaks to her that way. Does He still love her? Why can’t she hear Him anymore? Feel His presence? Oh, how I cried with her because I was going through my own dry spell spiritually and I ACHED to feel His embrace again.

And while I’ve never personally endured what Gina in Whatever Comes Our Way did, I’ve had panic attacks. I’ve felt the slithers of anxiety crawling under my skin and keeping me from trusting the Lord completely.

For these characters, their black moments had the potential to keep them separated from the loves of their lives, from finding romance and happily ever afters. That may not be the risk we face in our own black moments, of course, but that doesn’t mean fictional black moments don’t still translate into our own realities.

Every time I’ve faced my own darkest moments, knowing God was there, that He saw me, CHANGED ME permanently. He took something that was crushing me and keeping me from Him and performed open heart surgery, removing that issue and replacing it with a story of victory that I can walk in each day. I can remember MY story and help impact someone else’s by sharing it in some way.

Next month, I’ll be speaking at a women’s conference on my very blackest, capital letters Black Moment. Reliving it all as I put together my message—looking at the pictures of what I looked like at my worst in the hospital as I fought for my life, re-reading texts and posts from those weeks—has been HARD. It’s putting me through the wringer all over again. But I can’t wait to tell this story. I can’t wait for the opportunity to write those feelings into future characters.

All because of the power of story; the power of testimony. The power of the black moment to move us from our stuck place, our worst place, into HIS best for us. The line between fiction and reality is often a thin one. And praise God for that. Because isn’t it wonderful to have hope? To know that after the darkest of night comes the dawn?

So tell me in the comments—what fictional black moment resonated deeply within you? What character’s pivotal moment left an impact on you because you understood it and felt understood yourself? (Titles/authors without spoilers, please.)

Remember, we’re in the middle of the Back to School Bash, so your comments become entries into our many, many amazing giveaways! I can’t wait to see what inspirational romance titles you suggest. And if you have some go-to authors for escaping black moments entirely, well, I’m totally open to those as well. We need a bit of balance in our lives, don’t we? Ha ha!

Until next time,

Research · Story Inspiration

How authors use Pinterest & why readers love it too!

July 5, 2021 Jaycee Weaver30 Comments

I always say I’m a reader first, author second. It’s true! And as a reader, I love anything that connects me to books, especially social media. I know not everyone loves social media (there are times I certainly don’t!), but the one feed you have most control over what you see is Pinterest!

If you’ve never used it before, Pinterest is essentially that part of your desk where you’ve tucked all those articles you clipped from magazines over the years, plus all of your cookbooks, recipe clippings, notes and lists, pics of haircuts to show your stylist, the home decor and craft pamphlets you snagged at Hobby Lobby that you might get around to someday, plus the whole of the internet all rolled into one site. Only it’s VIRTUAL so you can organize it the way you see fit and no one will judge your clutter or care if you saved an entire stash of cat memes. LOL!

I’ve been pinning since Pinterest came online (2010). Long before I became an author, I was a stay at home mom with three small kids, and the internet was booming with amazing ideas for keeping them busy, recipe blogs, crafts I wanted to try, home decor ideas, and more. Pinterest kept my interests organized without overwhelming me. By then, I was also a professional crafter with an Etsy shop, and I could pin pics of my work/listings, showcase what I could do for custom orders, etc. Naturally, when I became an author, I put it to work for me there as well.

I’ve recently discovered even more ways to use it as both an author and a reader, but I also asked around to find out what other authors AND readers have to say about using this handy tool!

Many authors (myself included) use it for:

Keeping all of their inspiration and research for a particular book organized
Saving those wonderful reviews and interviews from book bloggers for a boost on the self-doubting days
Storing links to websites we’ve found helpful, classes we want to take, and other learning resources
Stashing things we might want to use for future books into secret boards
Sharing a behind-the-scenes look into our writing with our beloved readers
Pinning all the other things everyone else does from recipes to workouts to haircuts and more, allowing our readers to know who we are as humans and not just as writers of kissing books

Here’s a short list of ideas from other readers polled from the Avid Readers of Christian Fiction group on Facebook:

Boards for organizing their TBR virtually—read vs to-read
Pinning blogger reviews to read later when deciding on a book in the TBR pile
Sub-categorizing boards by author and then pinning all that author’s books
Saving bookish products/ideas as a virtual wish list
Pinning reading memes to laugh at later (these are my people!)
Enjoying some safe, light stalking of their favorite authors
Following other readers and authors to find new books, then building that TBR into infinity

What do you think about Pinterest? Have you used it for any of the things I mentioned? Do you have any new ways not yet noted? I would LOVE to hear from you in the comments! You can also follow me at https://www.pinterest.com/weaversgrrrl/. And if you keep scrolling, I’m including a handy dandy list from several of our Inspy Romance authors who pin! I also have to give a shout out to one of my favorite authors to follow on Pinterest, Becky Wade. She and Katie Ganshert get into some hilarious who-did-it-best Pinterest wars with their crafting skills!

Now for those IR author profiles (not everyone sent me theirs, so you can check our AUTHORS tab for more):

You can find me and all of my craziness at https://pinterest.com/weaversgrrrl

Valerie Comer: pinterest.com/valeriecomer/

Toni Shiloh: Pinterest.com/tonishiloh

Amy Anguish: pinterest.com/msguish/

Jan Thompson: http://janthompson.com/pinterest

Milla Holt: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/millaholtauthor

Janine Rosche: Pinterest.com/janinerosche

Teresa Tysinger: pinterest.com/teresatysinger/

Janet W. Ferguson: pinterest.com/janetwferguson/

Valerie M. Bodden: pinterest.com/valbodden/

Narelle Atkins: pinterest.com.au/narelleatkins/

Liwen Y. Ho: pinterest.com/authorliwenho

Until next time, happy pinning! Be blessed!

Research · Writing Process

Research and Writing (plus a sneak peek)

June 5, 2021 Jaycee Weaver24 Comments

Some writers love to research. I have a few author friends whose favorite part of writing is heading to the library and returning with a stack of informational texts or opening a dozen internet browser tabs and clicking through page after page. I am not one of these people.

I’m sure it goes along with my toddler-sized attention span. I’ve made no secret of my inability to focus on details, even in books I adore. I skim right past those beautiful, lengthy scene descriptions to get to the good stuff. Give me the action, the feelings, the interaction between characters. Yes, I’ll notice gaping inaccuracies or creative liberties, so I do value the necessity of good research, I just don’t want to read a lengthy dissertation from one character to another to prove the author has done their due diligence.

Was that rude? My sincerest apologies, I’m not here to offend.

While reading, I want the facts, I just don’t want to notice their presentation. But that’s hard as an author. I mean, if we’re doing hours and hours of research, it’s more than a little painful to put aside all of those cool and fascinating factoids we’ve gleamed and focus our attention on the story itself. A bit of trivia can add to the story, too much and readers complain (myself included). Finding that balance is SO HARD!

Research is essential, however much a girl like me hates conducting it. It’s pretty easy to spot when someone doesn’t know what they’re talking about or when a character doesn’t meet expectations. I mean, if a character experienced major childhood trauma yet they are perfectly unguarded and super calm in a triggering situation, that wouldn’t go over very well, now would it?

I actually had to do more research than I’ve ever done for an upcoming novella. We’re talking a 21k story here. You’d think I could write a short book without a ton of research, right? Usually, I can. A few quick phone calls to friends who work in a particular field. A couple of web searches for regionally-appropriate slang or mindsets. Two or three blogs or appropriate factual information sites will net the few details I need to write a character or their job authentically. Pinning my references and inspirations into my Pinterest boards. Better yet, sticking to what I know and what I’ve learned from people I’ve known. Easy peasy. But safe.

Easy and safe don’t make for the best stories, though.

This time, my characters and their story required greater research. I spent hours combing the web for companies that specialize in Conrad’s field (helicopter piloting). Spent more hours researching New Mexico and Colorado Search-and-Rescue (SAR) programs, requirements, and procedures. I got in touch with a friend whose husband is a police officer and has worked SAR for years, and we talked for over an hour! All for a few random comments that authenticate Conrad’s career choice and a two-page conversation in which he and Ashlyn explain her heartbreaking backstory to their pastor.

Though my background in psychology and my empathic personality give me a solid basis for understanding Ashlyn and writing her convincingly, I went ahead and read firsthand accounts of people who’d grown up with a controlling parent, which sent me chasing a dozen rabbit trails because people and psychology utterly fascinate me. I’m sure those rabbit trails of research will be useful for at least half a dozen characters down the road.

The research was worth every minute spent, even though I only used about 4% in the actual text. And the story shows it. Only a handful of people have read Braver With You so far, which will come out September 14 as part of the Save the Date limited-time anthology, but their remarks have been overwhelmingly positive. They’re connecting with Ashlyn and Conrad despite the short length, and I’m convinced it’s because of the research that brought their story to life with authenticity.

Lesson learned.

Now, who wants a sneak peek? Keep reading for an excerpt or click here to pre-order your copy of the collection and ensure its delivery the minute the collection launches! Several of our current and a few former Inspy Romance favorite authors are participating in the set.

Ashlyn Scott darted out of the boutique, glancing up and down the street before crossing to her car. If her mother knew what she was doing right now, she’d never hear the end of it. For years she’d cowed to the demands, the cajoling, the needling, the guilt trips, but not this time. She lifted the weighty garment bag off her shoulder and spread it across the back seat, making sure to tuck the edges safely inside.

The guilt didn’t hit until she’d buckled her seat belt.

What had she done?

Stop, Ash, you did nothing wrong.

Then why did it feel as if she’d just stolen that dress? Why the urge to floor it from the scene of a crime?

Mom was why.

Or perhaps it was what this moment represented—a whole new trajectory apart from what had been planned for her life since she was five. A life she enjoyed, mostly, but was it so wrong to want it on her own terms for once?

Her brown eyes connected with her glasses-wearing reflection in the rearview mirror before flicking to the gleaming vinyl bag. A thrill raced through her at the monumental secret now in her possession. It would upset her mother, but right then, Ashlyn couldn’t bring herself to care. In fact, the mere memory of how she’d looked not fifteen minutes ago, how she’d nearly broken down in front of the poor sales lady because she’d found the dress—with no one’s help or involvement—emboldened Ashlyn’s resolve.

It might have started with a dress, but it wouldn’t end there.

Or maybe it would.

Ashlyn wavered. She hated being gutless and indecisive.

She started the car and braced against the blast of hot air, sending up a prayer of thanks when it turned cold. Pressing a finger to the Voice Dial button on the steering wheel, she called the one person who’d support her unconditionally.

“Hey, babe.” Conrad’s voice filled her with peace. “How did it go?”

“Amazing.”

His soft chuckle brought a picture of his sideways smile to mind. “Found what you were looking for?”

“I did.” She let out a happy sigh. “I can’t believe we’re doing this.”

“I’m still not sure about the secrecy angle, but I understand your reasoning.”

Conrad was honest to a fault, and asking him to participate in this deception would come at a cost. But after two decades of suffocating under her mother’s influence, this was the only way.

“Thank you.” She checked her mirrors, still feeling like she was getting away with the heist of the century. Silly, when she’d forked over a hefty chunk of her paycheck for the symbol of her independence. “When are you coming home?”

“Tomorrow afternoon.”

“How did the interview go?”

He paused.

Ashlyn perked to attention, not an easy feat while driving sixty-seven miles an hour on I-25 with as much adrenaline as she had flowing through her veins.

“Aced it.”

“Oh.” She frowned. “Then what’s the problem?”

“The job’s in Cañon City, Colorado.”

“Oh,” she repeated.

“Yeah.” His heavy exhale told her all she needed to know.

He wanted this job, but he worried about taking them away from the safety and comfort of Albuquerque. She understood better than anyone—both the desire to leave and the gut-clenching fear while staring over the edge of the nest. Especially with their mother hens discouraging them from flying the coop.

It was time to be brave.

“Where you go, I go. We’re a team, and I fully support your decision,” she said with conviction.

“Are you sure?” Layers of meaning filled those three simple words.

Was she sure about moving? Yes. Sure about leaving their mothers behind? Also, yes. About marrying Conrad and following him wherever his job took them? A thousand times, yes.

“You know better than to ask me that.”

She didn’t need to see his smile to know he wore one. They’d been best friends as far back as either could remember and read each other’s faces better than a beloved book.

“I do.”

“Practicing the words already, are you?”

He answered with another light chuckle. “Counting the days.”

Ashlyn’s heart did a playful schoolgirl skip in her chest. Could this man be more perfect for her?

“Me too. T-minus forty-five days.”

“Can’t wait.”

“Same. Love you. Enjoy the rest of your trip.”

“You too.”

Thanks for hanging out with me today! I hope you enjoyed this excerpt from the opening of Braver With You. Tell me in the comments what you think about research and how it’s presented in your favorite CCR books. Do you like a lot of facts and detail or do you prefer a more subtle presentation?

Devotional Thought · New Releases

The Fruits of Faith and Peace

November 2, 2020 Jaycee Weaver14 Comments

I’ve been a Christian so long that, at times, it’s been easy to take my faith for granted. Dry seasons, wandering seasons, passionately in love with Him seasons.

Every frustrating dry season when I long to hear His voice but for some reason can’t inevitably ends up with a hard self-examination and facing my need to weed out the parts that aren’t bringing Him glory or redirect myself onto the path He’s chosen.

But the fruits of those seasons are always a rich harvest for which I am thankful. Each season has come with life lessons and helped shape me into a more empathetic person full of grace (toward everyone but myself, sadly).

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. There is no law against these things! – Galatians 5:22-23 NLT

The last bit always cracks me up. Do you ever hear people rant, “There ought to be a law!” about one frustrating thing or another? I imagine the religious lawmakers of Paul’s day said it a lot. And while there is no law against the fruits of the spirit, growing them in our daily lives is certainly no easier than following the Old Testament law.

By now, we can agree that 2020 has been a YEAR. Patience runs thin (which is the most difficult fruit of the spirit to grow anyway, IMO). Kindness, goodness, and gentleness are hard to find if you’re watching the news or other media, though if you look around in real life, you’ll find them like plants flourishing in the shade. Same goes for love and joy. I won’t even get started on self-control (hello, extra pounds).

I started out the year writing two books. The first, my final novel in the Everyday Love series which released in May. The second, Always Been Yours, part of the Something Borrowed collection with several of my dearest author friends. Hanady and Keenan’s friends-to-more story came together just how I envisioned. I wasn’t sure what the rest of my writing year held, but I trusted the Lord to show me the way.

Then… in came invitations from two more collections for this Christmas. Peace settled into my spirit while praying about joining them, so I did. And then came quarantine and stay-home orders, giving me more dedicated time to write than ever. With three commitments, I needed every second. Unfortunately, though I exercised self-discipline and saw that fruit grow in abundance, joy and peace began shriveling on the vine.

I finished my second book and excitedly began work on the third, a spin-off from my May release Whatever Happens Next. Rob and Vera’s story came pouring out in the beginning. By the time I hit the middle of Christmas Mercy for the seventh Crossroads collection, though, I struggled. Anxiety and self-doubt strangled my peace.

This was early summer when we were all growing weary of quarantine, our state remaining closed, and mourning all of our canceled plans. Still, I faithfully continued to write and work through the emotions and lack of peace and was overwhelmed by God’s reminder in my life of His mercy. His grace. His good gifts even when we’re a mess inside.

As I made plans to begin my final novella of the year, fear wanted to settle in and make its mark. I had to faithfully practice trust and fight off the doubts of the enemy while also resting in the promise that if God called me to it, He would equip me for it. And because He is faithful, He answered my fervent prayers and expanded my creativity to write This and Every Christmas, part of Hearts Aglow (The Christmas Lights Collection 2020). This story is unlike anything else I’ve ever written. How I wrote it was different, too. It grew me and stretched me and through it I learned so much about the kind of storyteller He calls me to be.

It also reminded me of the words in John 15:5. Apart from Him, I can do nothing. My vine will wither, the fruits shrivel, and words fail. He is the vine from which I grow, from which the fruits of my spirit will grow. These three books are the fruits of faithfulness and self-discipline as I sought peace despite my anxieties. They bring joy to my heart and are a strong reminder of what a big, wonderful God we serve. How He loves me through every up and down and calls me to do the same with Him (and others!). Seeing them out in the world, knowing how much they’ve been prayed and labored over is a tangible bit of each fruit that God has worked in me through 2020.

What fruits are flourishing in you this year? Are you struggling with any? How can I pray for or encourage you?

Be sure to comment, or if you’d prefer, you can always email jaycee@jayceeweaver.com or message me on Facebook. If you’d like to hear more devotional thoughts or stay current on what’s happening in my writer life, you can also subscribe to my irregularly delivered newsletter https://jayceeweaver.com/newsletter (and receive a free book).

Blessings!

Uncategorized

The Rule of Three

October 21, 2020November 30, 2020 Jaycee

The rule of three is a principle in writing that suggests a trio of events or characters is more humorous, satisfying, or effective than other numbers¹. We see the number used all over the place from religion to advertising content. Being the smallest number that can establish a pattern, three gets things stuck in our heads.

I mean, come on, look at this list:

Faith, hope, love
Stop, drop, roll
Father, Son, Holy Spirit
Blood, sweat, tears

I could go on. For a long while. I mean, I am a writer after all, and a fairly decent researcher, word lover, and random trivia memorizer. But that’s a rabbit trail we don’t need to travel. Today, I want to talk about three new books!

Today marks the release of Something Borrowed: Christmas Weddings Collection! This five-book set joins two that came out last week, Hearts Aglow, the fifth Christmas Lights collection, and Five Gold Rings, the seventh Crossroads collection.

Eyebrow raises and widened eyes are the typical response I get when people find out I wrote three Christmas books this year, all set to release within a week. I know. It was a crazy decision, but I knew God called me to each one for a different reason. And knowing I was responding to that call gave me a measure of peace rather than stress because if God calls, He also is faithful to equip, and He will always work things for His good and His glory.

Enter the first story, Always Been Yours. I started writing it last November after our Once Upon a Christmas collection came out and we first began brainstorming Something Borrowed. Not only did I enjoy telling the story of a *slightly* dramatic, big-hearted, confident plus-size heroine and the injured best friend who’s been in love with her for years, but Toni, Mikal, Teresa, and Andrea have forged a deep, abiding friendship that has been an answer to prayer for each of us.

The story itself is a little lighter on the faith elements than many of my other books, but it was what poured out and I know God can use it (and will)! Not everything we do as believers has to be explicitly Christian in order to convey His message or heart. Hanady accepts people for who they are and doesn’t quite understand when others don’t. I love that about her!

Then there’s Christmas Mercy. Earlier this year when I was finishing up Whatever Happens Next, I knew Vera and Edie would need a story of their own. I’ve long wanted to write a second chance romance, so when Amanda Tru announced her idea for this season’s Crossroads set (couples once jilted), the outline I’d already sketched was too coincidental to be anything but a God idea. The faith threads are woven into their daily lives, though still not overpowering, as Vera and Rob come to understand grace, mercy, forgiveness, and restoration.

And finally, This and Every Christmas. I was a little nervous, to be honest, when it came time to write a third book for the 2020 Christmas Lights gang. After months of quarantine, stay-home orders, political vitriol, and other negativity sucking up my creativity as well as a bit of burnout from already completing 3 1/2 other books (that half is still a WIP), I basically got on my knees and begged for something to spark.

While working on other things, I suddenly had a clear picture of a young boy and girl meeting between the pines on a Christmas tree farm every year on the same day over the course of several years. Most titles don’t come to me until the book’s been written, but this one I knew right away. I also knew they went their separate ways, Noah got married and had a daughter and later became a widower before they met again as adults. Trusting God to carry me through writing this story resulted in a completely different style of tale than I usually write, but one of the most enriching experiences I’ve had as a writer to this point.

Seeing the Rule of Three playing itself out in such a positive way this season has been a balm to my heart this year. Has it been stressful? Sure. Exhausting? Absolutely. But it’s taught me to let go of my illusions of having any control whatsoever, trust the Great Storyteller, and follow His lead. And what a rewarding life lesson for us all in this dumpster fire of a year, am I right?

What trios have you experienced this year? Have good things come in threes for you? Comment below and let’s chat about it!

¹_{Quoted from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rule_of_three_(writing)}

Author Thoughts · Writing Process

How Being an Empath Impacts My Writing (and everything else)

June 9, 2020 Jaycee Weaver26 Comments

It’s always been hard to explain the difference between sympathy and empathy. It’s even harder to describe being an empath versus feeling empathy, but the best I’ve been able to come up with is this: empaths are highly absorbent emotional sponges in human form.

Unlike sympathy, which is essentially identifying someone’s emotional state and reacting compassionately, empathy is the ability to put yourself in another’s shoes. Actually being an empath takes it one step further—we actually feel the emotions others around us are experiencing within our own bodies as if it were happening to us.

I won’t describe my journey to realizing I possessed these traits— that would take up far too much time, though if you’re curious you can click the links like this one here or here. I will say they traits have amplified as I’ve matured and become less self-involved (which in a way, makes sense, right? I pray, “more of You, Lord, less of me,” and He actually answered that prayer in a very literal way, allowing me to hurt for what hurts Him).

Anyway. So how has being an empath impacted my writing? I’ll do a list of the positives and a few drawbacks.

Empaths are able to conceptualize the world from a multitude of perspectives. In my writing, this translates to infinite storylines with a wide range of characters! My career never has to end! (Hear the maniacal laugh there?)
We can read emotional cues and tend to be highly emotional ourselves, so it’s easier to imagine both the physical and internal experiences of others. In writing, that means I can craft authentic characters and vividly describe their experiences.
Because empaths perceive a lot of nonverbal cues and experience emotional responses internally, I can write realistic character interactions, even if I haven’t lived it myself.
Working out sticky plot points is actually fun for me because I can run through multiple scenarios and see how different actions might spark different reactions from different characters, and how the plot would naturally move depending on each scenario. Like a crazy road map in my head.
Heightened awareness extends beyond emotion. I’m also highly attuned to colors, sounds, smells, sights, flavors, and touch. Incorporating heightened senses enriches the reader experience of a story.
I can get stuck inside my head and feel too much at once, though, which means sometimes it takes forever to write a scene (or blog post, ha ha) and I end up revising it 436 times while rethinking, “will a reader understand this is my character’s opinion and not mine?” or “will this hurt a reader?” or “how else might this be interpreted?”
Empaths want to help everyone, all the time, whether that’s listening to a loved one or aching to bring understanding to a polarized society or observing injustice or someone hurting in the grocery store. So sometimes priorities get skewed as I drop my writer jobs to help someone else with theirs. Usually that’s not a big deal. I enjoy helping others, I just have to work extra hard to say no because I love saying yes so much. It’s also imperative to create a bubble I can retreat into to restore my spirit.
Emotional trials get in the way of my creativity, which means sometimes I can’t write at all. Last week we lost a very dear friend. We had both good and not-so-good news from other loved ones. Added to the existing COVID stress, racial tension, and political negativity from every direction, I could hardly function.
Back to the good stuff. There’s a lot of humor to be found in hyperbole. What’s a fun way to deal with all those extreme feelings? Turn them into dramatic reactions and over-the-top situations. Case in point, Jenna Davis from Whatever Happens Next.
And last but not least, because the Christian and Inspy writing community is so very uplifting and supportive, all that love and grace restores my spirit and stirs me to bring balance to the world by writing stories that inspire empathy in others, too.

So there you have it. Many of these traits are common to other writers and readers, of course, to a degree. When we read, we’re naturally building empathy skills because we’re reading through the eyes of the characters. While only about 15-20% of the population are true empaths, we can all increase our ability to exhibit the traits that make us better and can be an asset to us in everyday life. I hope I’ve shared a little bit of something new and interesting with you! Be sure to comment below—whatever you’d like to share. I’d love to hear from and connect with you!

Covers · Roundup

It’s Complicated… (interesting characters usually are) + cover reveal

February 11, 2020 Jaycee Weaver19 Comments

If you’ve been on social media at any point in the last decade, you’ve probably noticed at least one of your “friends” with the relationship status It’s Complicated. The phrase has filtered its way into our culture in all sorts of ways—movie titles, song lyrics, book themes, mindsets.

It’s complicated isn’t always a response we’d like to accept, but it’s often the easiest response to most of those nosy questions we can’t completely answer without either revealing more than we’re comfortable with or shocking the inquisitor with an unavoidably long, drawn out response. It’s more polite than telling them none of your business, right? Ha ha!

But when it comes to characters, I have to admit, I LOVE complicated. The more complex their backstory, the more I want to read. Neat and tidy characters are fine on occasion, but let’s face it. Real people are pretty complicated. And as readers, we tend to be more fascinated by humanity than non-readers. I read an article a while back that frequent readers tend to be more empathetic. Perhaps this is why complicated characters are so interesting.

I’m a reader first. Becoming an author flowed naturally from that love, but always, first, a reader. I’ll list a few that stick out in my mind, then I’ll tell you about some I’ve written. After that, I’ll share with you the cover of my latest book and why I loved writing the characters in it. 🙂

From IR’s own Elizabeth Maddrey, comes Lydia Brown in Wisdom to Know. She’s a pastor’s daughter caught up in a binding chain of bad choices. I read this a few years ago, but she’s a heroine who has stuck with me. Another that stands out is Jen Andrews in A Handful of Hope. Her struggle with depression is thoroughly true-to-life and so well presented.

Toni Shiloh, another IR author, does complicated characters very well. Some of my favorites are Belle Peterson and Nikki Gordon from her Maple Run series. Evan Carter from Returning Home is also a wonderfully complex hero. Toni tackles characters who’ve suffered abuse, assault, missing limbs, parental abandonment, infidelity, and more with finesse and sensitivity.

Then there’s Janet Ferguson. Oh my goodness, I just love her characters. Raw emotion, depth, intensity, tragedy, internal struggles, wars against sin and pain and fear…and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. I’ve loved them all, but my favorite is still The Art of Rivers.

Oh! And while I’m thinking of other IR authors (and can I just say, there are a lot of amazing ladies in this bunch, so I’m only picking a couple real quickly) I have to include Valerie M. Bodden. The entire Hope Springs series is wonderful—with a plethora of complex characters—but none more complicated than bad girl Jade in Not Until Us.

Melissa Tagg also has a way with complicated characters. I’d have to say my favorite is Now and Then and Always. Marshall and Mara both have painful stories they’re working through as they build a relationship while restoring an old B&B.

No list would be complete without Lea Sim’s two highly emotional novels, Running From Monday and Waiting on Tuesday. Lea tackles some difficult topics, and her characters have endured severe abuse, infidelity, loss, and more. Readers are put a bit through the wringer on these, but it’s their richness and authenticity of emotion that make them such memorable reads.

T.I. Lowe’s Until I Do—and her whole backlist, actually—is another perfect example. A marriage in shambles, readers get an inside look at a couple’s struggle with becoming empty-nesters and their floundering relationship. Other books by TI Lowe feature characters running from dark, violent secrets, human trafficking, and other trauma.

Several friends I asked reminded me of Tammy L. Gray. I’ve read quite a few of her books, but Mercy’s Flight is definitely one that stands out. Violent pasts, betrayal, children in need, secrets, and a journey to trust and find courage barely scratch the surface of Matt and Grace’s story.

I absolutely HAVE to include one of my very favorites, Jennifer Rodewald. I need to take a break between her books because I can pretty much guarantee I’ll be gutted afterward. Her Grace Revealed trilogy is ripe with intense, complicated characters with highly charged emotions and very real issues, but my personal favorite is still The Carpenter’s Daughter.

Whew! That ended up being a rather long list, so I’ll cut myself off there. Hopefully I’ve introduced you to some new-to-you authors, titles, or characters you’ll enjoy as much as I have.

Since I’ve already gone on long enough, I’ll summarize what kind of complicated characters I enjoy writing. In Whatever Comes Our Way, the hero and heroine face traumatic pasts, grief, guilt, anxiety attacks, and the aftermath of loved ones’ drug use. In What Makes a Home, prickly Jobie’s colorful lifestyle catches up to her as we come to understand why she chooses to live the way she does (until she meets Jesus!). In Adrift, (which is always free) Erin still experiences grief after losing her husband too young. Now, not all of my characters are over-complicated. Some have it pretty easy, so I like to put them in challenging situations instead. My heart is to create realistic characters who are flawed and, yes, complicated but eventually figure out what it is God wants to work out in their lives.

So there you have it. Probably should have narrowed it down and maybe dug a little deeper into each character, but I’m a more-is-better kind of girl. Ha ha!

For the last part of my post, I’d like to reveal the cover to my newest book out this week, which just so happens to be FREE to all subscribers to my email newsletter. It’s a bit different from my usual contemporary Christian romance fare, as it’s a dual-POV in first person with two heroines. Each has her own story line with her own love interest/romance, but their friendship takes center stage in this novelette. Lauren’s a steady presence for Kimbrye, who just might be one of the most hurting of all the heroines I’ve written so far.

I can’t wait to read in your comments below any recommendations YOU have for favorite complicated characters. I’m always on the lookout for my newest book bestie! Take care and enjoy the rest of your week, especially with our upcoming BIRTHDAY BASH!!

Devotional Thought · Giveaway · Writing Process

Plotting & Pantsing Explained + giveaway

January 13, 2020 Jaycee Weaver22 Comments

Spend any time on social media with your favorite authors these days, and you’ll come across a number of terms the average reader doesn’t understand. Like any field, there’s a bit of lingo involved that can confuse a person on the outside looking in. Always a reader first, I enjoy sharing some of that insider knowledge with other readers. I mean, we read because we love books, right? And not just the story or the characters—we love the literary world, whether we understand it or not.

I had someone ask me the other day what it meant when their favorite author claimed to be a “total pantser.” I can explain, in a nutshell, for those of you who’ve asked the same question.

Many authors consider themselves “plotters,” or someone who plots out their novel before they begin writing. In general, plotters have an outline that falls somewhere on the spectrum from a general outline with a loose structure and character bios, to well-organized, detailed outlines with personality typed character sheets and a fully structured plan from start to finish. I’m in quite a few author groups online, and I’ll tell you, the true plotter is a rare bird.

A bit more common is the “pantser,” or an author who writes “by the seat of their pants.” The most organized that the majority of pantsers get is to work up character bios and a rough synopsis for the beginning and ending, but are completely at the mercy of the process. Typically, an idea for the story comes, and pantsers flesh it out little by little. More often than not, the writing process happens by following a whole lot of rabbit trails.

Occasionally, an author will claim to be a plantser. I’d say this is the most common writing style, but perhaps that’s just my own tendency to walk the line between extremes. The plantser is more organized than a total pantser, but not as rigid and detailed as a complete plotter. Make sense?

So… how does this relate to inspy romance, other than the obvious?

Well, I think it’s safe to say we’re all plantsers in our own ways. Whether you’re a writer, reader, doctor, teacher, stay-home parent, or any other identifier, life never goes as planned. And few people ever fall completely to one side or the other on any issue. Not only that but as Christians, we must allow the author and finisher of our faith (Heb 12:2) to drive the plot of our lives as well as form our character according to His will.

The New Living Translation of Proverbs 16:9 says, “We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.” And 1 Corinthians 10: 31 says, “So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” Then there’s James 4:15, “What you ought to say is, ‘If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.'”

Finding that sweet spot between plotting out life and flying by the seat of our pants certainly isn’t easy, and there’s nothing wrong with either side. But I wonder. Is your life your own, being plotted and planned and structured, or are you living by your whims and whatever life throws at you? Or have you found that happy medium where your plans surrender to His will, even when circumstances are out of your hands?

I’ll be honest. I’m a pantser all the way. But with the start of a whole new year, I’m finding He is calling me to become a better plantser—and not just in my writing. I’m ready to add more structure and discipline while surrendering my whims and desires to whatever it is He’s asking of me. In everything—what I write, what I read, as a substitute teacher, a mom, a friend, a wife. It feels like I’m standing on the precipice of something new and beautiful. A lot like the feeling I get when an idea for a new story sparks.

I sure can’t wait to see where He takes me! How about you?

**One random commenter will receive a copy of my first novel, What Could Be, which deals with a young woman learning to let go of her carefully plotted life and surrender to His will.**