July 13, 2007
Today RTF continues the interview with author, Jeanette Hanscome. If you have questions for Jeanette, e-mail RTF and we’ll send them to her and follow up later!
Suzie: What would you say to teen writers who have been told, “you can’t write” because of a disability of some type?
Jeanette: I would say, tune out anyone who sends “You can’t” messages.
God is so much bigger and greater than the experts. He also seems to have an incredible sense of humor. If God fills you with a desire to communicate through words, He will also provide a way for you to do it. So go for your dream no matter what anyone tells you and enjoy giving Him the credit.
Suzie: That’s one of those great messages I was talking about yesterday. : )
So, back to writing, especially books. You have written a few Brio books. Tell us about your last book. Alos, tell us what Brio is, for those who may not be familiar with this ministry.
Jeanette: Brio is a magazine for teen girls published by Focus on the Family. Several years ago they created a fiction series called Brio Girls and I had the privilege of joining the team.
Suzie: How did that happen?
Jeanette: It was so cool how God worked it out. Lissa Halls Johnson, who created the series, happened to be a friend of my former voice teacher. I sat at her table at a writer’s conference just to say hi and heard her talking about the series and her need for one more writer. Door opened from there.
After writing two books for that series I had a chance to write one Want More? devotionals, also connected with Brio magazine.
Suzie: Which is your latest?
Jeanette: Want More? Joy is my most recent book and probably the one that I like best.
I incorporated true stories from my own life, as well as fiction, in order to encourage girls to examine what brings them joy, what robs them of it, and how to find it when it seems impossible to grasp. Each story includes scriptures and questions. Several also include space for journaling.
Suzie: That sounds like a great book. (From RTF: To buy Want More? Joy on amazon.com, click here.) How often do you write?
Jeanette: I write each weekday but with kids and a part-time “day job” it’s hard to commit as much time as I’d like to writing projects.
I do a lot of writing on-assignment so I give top priority to those projects then work in time for MY ideas–the books that I’d really like to write.
My best time for writing is early morning when my mind is fresh. Late at night when the kids are in bed works well too as long as I’m not too brain dead from the day.
Suzie: I do the same thing, Jeanette. Sometimes that’s frustrating because of the time that it takes away from what you really love to write, but there is one very positive aspect, and that is learning new things. Assignments mean research and interviews, and that stretches me. I know that’s an important aspect of writing.
Okay, more writing questions. What is the hardest thing about being a writer?
Jeanette: Let’s see–the hardest thing about being a writer. Well, the rejection is a given. It’s devastating to work for months on a proposal or book only to have it rejected.
I also find the isolation very difficult at times. I’m a people person and tend to get depressed if I’m alone too much. I combat this by connecting with friends, joining a Bible study whenever possible, and getting out, even if it’s just for a walk to the store.
Suzie: You’re right. I just returned from ICRS (a national retail show where authors and musical artists and retailers get together to see all the new books and music coming out this fall). As a writer who works from home, it was awesome to be immersed in a crowd of people who love what I love.
I think it’s important that we surround ourselves with people who have the same passion as we do. God uses that to sharpen our skills and to stir up the desire to pursue whatever it is he has created us to do.
Okay, now for some fun questions. If you were offered a “last meal”, what would it be?
Jeanette: Probably a really good seafood pasta dish with a salad, warm bread, and a gooey dessert.
Of course, depending on the circumstances surrounding this last meal (for example, if I were facing the firing squad–I can be so morbid) I might care more about writing notes to my family and friends than eating. I can’t eat when I’m nervous and that would definitely stir up some anxiety.
Suzie: What is your favorite color?
Jeanette: Red, red, red. Jeanette likes red. I am often asked how I can have a favorite color when I’ve never seen one.
I didn’t want to be left out so I chose one. Here’s how I decided. One of the first books that I learned to read as a little girl was Anne Likes Red. I figured, if one little girl could like red so much that she wanted a red dress, red shoes, a red hat, and a red belt while shopping with her mom then it must be the best color ever.
For some reason I have always been attracted to red, even if I don’t know what color I’m seeing until someone tells me. Apparently red is one of my best colors. So red is my color.
Suzie: I love that! Okay, moving forward. What is one thing about you that might surprise others?
Jeanette: I always keep candy around, have an incurable sweet tooth, and am totally addicted to black licorice. Before having a difficult talk with my parents last summer, I prayed then ate a handful of Good ‘N Plenty. It actually helps me relax.
I inherited the addiction from my grandmother on my mother’s side and my dad. Dad and I slip licorice into one another’s birthday and Christmas gifts. Grandma always had licorice jelly beans in the house so whenever I visit the old fashioned candy store near my family’s vacation cabin I buy some in honor of her.
I’ve passed on my licorice-loving genes to my youngest son. At the moment our favorite is Black Scotty Dogs from Trader Joe’s.
Suzie: I personally hate licorice, so if I ever receive any for Christmas, now I know exactly where to send it! : )
I want to thank you for joining us today. I’ve loved hanging out with you. Will you tell our readers how to find out more about your books?
Jeanette: All of my books are available through both Focus on the Family and Tyndale. The best way to find them online is by visiting www.family.org/resources. And of course your local Christian book store is a great place to find them too.
This was so fun! Thanks for having me, Suzie.
Suzie: I loved it! Thanks for stopping by Real Teen Faith.
Note to RTF readers from Suzie: Do you want to know more about Jeanette? Check out her website. Or her blog (along with 12 other authors), God, Girls, Good Life.
Order her book through your local bookstore if it’s not on the shelf (just tell them her name or the name of the book). That will help others discover this awesome author because the bookstore will order an additional copy(ies) for their other customers.
Also, be sure to tell your library about her books, or your school librarian, and ask them to order a copy.
Once you read her book, leave a review because that helps other teens know what you think about the book. Thanks!
Right now RTF is working with several authors on interviews. If you have a favorite author, e-mail us and we’ll connect with them for a future interview on RTF.
Debbie says:
AWESOME interview, Suzie. I LOVED it. You always have such GREAT interviews on your site.
Debbie