New Year, New Book by Jenny Carlisle

Love Never Fails is the third book in Jenny’s Crossroads series. This story features the journey of the youngest Billings brother, Cody, and Faith and Hope Caldwell’s younger cousin, Kayla. At an age where their friends are easing into a future full of possibilities, life changing events have turned their lives upside down. Alone, their future looms hopelessly uncertain. Together, they make God’s plan their reality.

What is the theme of Love Never Fails?

The theme is growing into the life God has planned for you, regardless of the hurdles you encounter along the way. There is no need to go through your difficulties alone. Lean on your heavenly Father and recognize those who love you and want to help along the way.

What are you working on right now?

I spent the month of November working on a novella project that has grabbed my imagination. With over half of a rough draft complete, I feel comfortable shelving this idea for the next little bit. With the third full-length novel in my series coming out in January, I am so excited about promoting a whole series of books. I’ve met so many readers who are excited about Love Never Fails, and this feels like a brand-new adventure.

Tell us about your next writing project.

Before Hope Takes the Reins kicked off the Crossroads series, I had written a story that was very dear to my heart.

Hold Fast is the family motto of the MacLeod clan, my clan. I used this as the title of my story about a young woman from Arkansas. Julie MacNichol’s parents have a strained relationship, with her father spending most of his time at the family estate in Scotland. As the story opens, they are dealing with a fresh tragedy that both divides and unites them.

My own experience as the daughter of divorced parents makes this very personal to me. That may be the reason I found it so difficult to pitch to agents and publishers. I need to give this story the attention it deserves, up to and including a total rewrite. Not easy by any means, but absolutely necessary. So, while marketing my recently completed series, Hold Fast will progress from dream to reality.

Is there someone famous (alive or passed) who has inspired you positively or negatively?

I have been drawn to Maya Angelou because she was a fellow Arkansan. I also share her love of poetry. Her ability to summon the perfect words for every situation inspires me to speak and write carefully. The courage she showed by bravely living as her own true self is my definition of heroism.

If you could have an unlimited supply of money for the rest of your life, what would you do with it?

Family is my first priority, so I would make sure each of my children owned something to call their home base. Then, I have a short laundry list of projects in mind with the goal of reflecting God’s glory for the benefit of others. Included are purchasing a piece of property that would be perfect for a historical park in my hometown, and creating a system that provides daily dignity for homeless people. Once these dreams were underway, I’d indulge myself with a trip to our family’s ancestral home in Scotland.

How do you relax and recharge when you step away from writing?

Now that my husband and I are fully retired, we enjoy our new routine, or lack thereof. On days when there are no doctor appointments, or an opportunity to visit with our kids, the world is our oyster. We love nothing more than taking off on a drive around the Central Arkansas area. We’ve learned to make the final destination secondary to the adventure. Even when we only have time for a drive around our county courthouse, we enjoy being together. When there’s a Razorback football game on our favorite hill, call the Hogs with the best of them. We’ve spent enough time in the Northwest corner of the state to enjoy being there, even without a sports connection.

Who knows? During the coming year, we might venture further. We’ve talked about an epic trip to the Grand Canyon, and later to the national American Christian Fiction Writer’s conference in New Orleans. Closer to home, we are happy to pitch in on special projects with our very active church. Recently, we helped create a float for our community’s Christmas parade. Now that being an author is my only day job, I am loving the freedom of working at my own pace. Life is good.

Describe what you feel is the hardest part about writing.

The only problem for me is work/life balance. When I find time to devote to writing, the ideas just flow from my fingertips. When a deadline looms, knuckling down and spending long hours alone without feeling guilty for neglecting my husband is a big adjustment. Response from readers helps me to reap the benefits of hard work.

What do you find is the greatest blessing of being a writer? The satisfaction of communicating the message that God has put on my heart is amazing. Fiction is the perfect avenue for me. Story speaks to my heart, and I hope my stories do the same for my readers.

Do you have a funny memory you’re willing to share with us?

We have a weekly video chat that includes as many of our kids and grands as possible. With two four-year olds participating, unexpected and funny moments are a constant. Second only to Sunday morning worship, this call is a highlight of my week.

Is there a genre you’d consider in the future that differs from that/those you do now?

There have been many storytellers in my family, and in my community. I know that someday I will have a strong basis for more than one historical novel. I hope that I can build the same connection to characters who lived in different time periods as I do with contemporary situations.

Which book or book series have you recently enjoyed reading?

Much like the novella collection I was recently a part of, The Stained Glass Legacy spanned different time periods, and different generations of the same family. I have finished the first three books, and look forward to the next one, a dystopian story. This will be a departure for me, but after the groundwork has been laid by the first three authors, I know the last story will bring it all to a satisfying conclusion.

Four time periods, four authors, Window of Opportunity by Heather Greer, Window of Peace by Regina Merrick, Window of the Heart, by Amy Anguish and Window of Time by Erin R. Howard.

What’s your best advice for other writers?

Write your story, then find a home for it. Especially for your first book, don’t be concerned with what others say about what is selling. Listen to advice about crafting the best possible book you can, and the readers will appreciate your work.

Any thoughts you’d like to share with readers?

Always remember, God knows all about you and loves you anyway.