Wednesday, April 07, 2010

My Friend, Author Jena Morrow
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What to do for  a chance to win Jena's book, Hollow?
Comment!

Come on, folks, and enjoy learning about fellow author, Jena. Read on . . .

How long have you known that you were a writer? Did you receive a clear "call"? Or have you loved writing all your life?

  • I have loved writing since I was about eight years old. Writing has always sort of been my way of responding to the world--when I'm angry, I write; when I'm sad, I write. When I'm overjoyed or inspired, I write. So if I did receive a clear call, it must have happened sometime before second grade!
What is the genre you write in? Would you explain it?

  • Well, the book that is releasing in May is a memoir. What I write most often are personal essays which usually end up as blog entries or articles at some point. I love fiction and enjoy creating characters and placing them in precarious situations, and then "discovering" how they will respond. I've written several short, one-act plays and have enjoyed that creative process. It has given me an itch to dig into fiction writing.
How do you spend your writing days? Do you set goals to reach a certain amount of words per day?

  • No, I don't set word count goals, but it seems most of the writers I meet do, and I'm sure they're onto to something. I'm embarrassed to admit how unstructured I am in my approach to writing. I just sit down and write and hope for the best. Some days my fingers fly faster than other days. It's really fun when the words come faster than the fingers can type. But that isn't every day!
What is the spiritual message in your latest book? What can readers expect to get from reading it?

  • My upcoming book, Hollow, is a memoir about my struggle with anorexia, but there is a spiritual message for sure. It is a message of what I call "realistic hope." So often, as Christians, we set ourselves up for failure by assuming that the entire point of our journey is arriving at its end.
  • I've been learning differently; the point of the journey IS the journey. The journey is its own reward. In my own recovery process, relapses have taught me an important lesson, which is applicable to so many areas in the life of the believer: life can be chosen one day at a time. God's mercies are new every morning, and baby steps DO count.
When will your book be released?

  • Hollow will hit stores on May 1st.
Where do you get your ideas? Character names? Do you find your characters similar to you in any way?

  • Ideas come from all sorts of sources . . . A stranger I see in the mall, a conversation I overheard in a coffee house, things my friends might be enduring. And a really good book or movie will almost always inspire me to create something. Most of these ideas get stored on the hard drive of my brain until later. Character names just pop into my head randomly; certain names "seem" like certain types of people to me, and I go with that.
  • Some of my characters, like in the plays I have written, have been similar to me, but mostly I enjoy creating characters who are unique. It's fun to get outside my own head and learn to "think" like someone else, figure out how they might react in certain situations, what they would say, what their strengths are, their weaknessess. People are fascinating to me--even fictional ones.
Do you ever feel like giving up? Most people don't understand the stress, the work, and the joy of being a writer. How tenuous becoming a writer is. Do you care to share how it feels, what discouraging/encouraging times you've gone through? Who's inspired you the most?

  • Well, I'm still pretty new. Ask me in another five or ten years! Honestly, though, the ride so far has included all those things--the stress, the work, the joy. And so far, I wouldn't trade a bit of it. I'm just relying on God and truly enjoying the ride.
Would you explain how you "chose" (or was chosen by) a publisher? Do you just go "inny, minny, miny, moe?" Grin. Now, that you're published, can you sit back and relax from the success you've experienced?
  • My agent knew before she signed me that Moody was somewhere she wanted to pitch, and I just trusted her insider's perspective. It has turned out to be a great fit, and I feel extremely blessed. They are some very cool people.
Do you mind telling us some of your likes and dislikes? Hobbies, interests?

  • Oh, where to start? Well, I'm a people person, and I love hanging out and laughing with my friends. My kid makes me laugh daily. Sometimes I laugh all by myself . . . so I guess laughter is one of my "likes." I love good movies--I have a lo-o-ong list of favorites; anything well written and character driven. Music is huge in my life, and I have a wide range of musical interests. Probably one of my favorite things to do is to just drive around, listening to music and clearing my head. Oh, and coffee. Gotta have a good cup o' java in the cupholder.
Would you give us your blog or webpage so everyone can check it out? Anything else you'd like to share? Promotional information?

  • My blog is http://www.jenamorrow.blogspot.com/
  • Folks can follow me on Twitter as jena_morrow.
  • The Facebook fan page has been set up and can be found by searching for "Hollow the Book."
  • My own author website is currently under construction and will be launched in time for the book's release.

Thank you, Jena, for being on my blog today. I wish you the very best for your writing career and Hollow.

Folks, if you know someone struggling with anorexia, please consider sharing this book with them. And don't forget to share your comment to encourage Jena!


Blessings!

20 comments:

Kathryn Page Camp said...

It's so true that the journey is the thing, the place where all our learning takes place. My goal is to keep traveling until I reach the final destination with Christ.

rubynreba said...

Great review and interview. Jenna sounds like a wonderful and talented person.
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

Amy M. Fry said...

I too, am blessed to call Jena my friend. She's taught me so much. I think we support each other though we're miles apart.
This was a wonderful interview and I thank you for writing it.
I've already pre-purchased 4 copies of "Hollow". One for me because my friend Jena wrote it, and 3 for friends who struggle with eating disorders.
Thank you both. Carole for the interview/blog, and Jena, for being Jena!

Teresa Slack said...

Great interview, Carole. Love the book title Jena. As soon as you wrote the topic, I thought you couldn't have come up with a better title. Thanks ladies.

Jo said...

Great interview and great review. I have never dealt with eating disorders personally but since dealing with hurting people think it would be a great book to read.

Blessings,
Jo
ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com

Holly said...

Awesome interview! Sounds like "Hollow" would be an amazing book. Would love to win it!

1joy4you(at)gmail(dot)com

KB said...

Great interview! I'm so excited for your book to be released, Jena!!

pushfrog3(at)gmail(dot)com

friendofAslan said...

This is a book that I recommended to many of my Facebook friends, especially young women in their teens and twenties. You never know what someone might be struggling with during their journey. I do hope to have a copy of my own someday. May God bless its beginnings; may it reach near and far.

Margaret
friendofaslan(at)netzero(dot)net

Writer said...

Looking forward to this book!

Millie Samuelson said...

I wasn't sure an interview could do justice to mult-faceted-talented Jena. But this one sure does! The questions were perfect for lovely Jena Lynne to reveal a bit of herself. I'm eagerly awaiting my copy of HOLLOW, and praying for Jena's ministry through it. . . :-)

dawn said...

i'd love to give a copy of this book to my niece-she's struggled with anorexia for many years and she's not a believer...tough situation!! i'm excited to read it...

rosymom said...

Interesting view into the world of writing. I look forward to reading this book. Memoirs create such a personal view into someone's head. I love psychological glimpses!

Caroline said...

Love your responses, ladies! Thanks so much for visiting.

Unknown said...

The part of the interview I most connected with was when Jena answered how we as Christians often focus on the endgame - am I going to heaven or not? That certainly is of great importance but we miss out on so much when it is our only view of the benefit of following Jesus. John 10:10 records "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.". In this life we are opposed by an enemy; we are also supported by a Savior who is greater than all. Thanks be to God for the abundant life!

Linda Glaz said...

Great interview and wonderful that she shared such a difficult topic.

Paris said...

Great interview. I love the name and cover of the book! Carman sent me:)

parisakins@gmail.com

Set Apart Living Mama said...

I'm a believer. God has helped me so much with my eating disorder..I was completely delivered from it when I first got saved almost 2 years ago.....I just had another baby and I don't know whats wrong with me its back... I'm ashamed. God was really convicting me since I was hiding it it was like lying and we are to confess our sins to our brethern so the other day I confessed to my husband. He said he knew..... I don't like admitting it. When I read this I started crying and am still tearing while writing this. Satan is a punk and a liar I know... we shouldnt worry about what we eat or wear or our body and I pray and pray that this just goes away. I would really love to win this oh I pray that I do! Thank you!!!

glenda.a.silva@gmail.com

Caroline said...

Dawn, please contact me. You've won Jena's book, Hollow!

Set Apart Living Mama said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Set Apart Living Mama said...

Congrats Dawn! I pray that your niece will enjoy this book!

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