Fabulous Friday Feature - Jody Hedlund

Today I welcome 
Jody Hedlund,
whose characters nagged her until she wrote their story.

Enter to win Jody's September 2013 release,

Rebellious Heart
Scroll to the end of the post to see how to enter.

I keep a close eye on books about to be published. When I saw Jody's book would be released in September I just had to invite her to visit with us. I am so deeply honored she said "Yes." I asked Jody to share with us the journey God has led her on for her writing career. Here is what she said:

I Knew I Was Getting Close!

Like many writers I was born with a pen in my hand. I filled notebooks with stories when I was growing up.

My passion for writing followed me into adulthood. I wanted to be an author. But like most aspiring writers, I struggled to know how I could use my gifts and abilities in a career. When my college years came, I knew I would need a career that could pay the bills while I worked on my novels. So I went to Taylor University in Indiana and then eventually to the University of Wisconsin in Madison where I got my Masters in Social Work.

I kept writing and learning about writing during the years when I worked as a social worker. And it was during those post-college years, when I was working and before I had kids, that I really studied the craft of writing. I read every how-to book about fiction techniques I could get my hands on.

During that pre-child time, I also wrote five books. The last of those five books garnered attention from an editor at a publishing house but was eventually rejected. So I knew I was getting close to being ready for publication.

While the rejection was discouraging, I also knew that most writers have to write numerous books before they’re finally good enough for publication. I never looked at those early books as wasted attempts. Instead I viewed them as preparation and training for growing into a skillful author.

But as life (and God) would have it, I ended up taking a long writing hiatus. Shortly after the birth of my twins, I set aside my writing completely for about seven years. As I now look back over those years, I can see how much the hiatus helped me grow personally, spiritually, and deepened my life experiences.

The first book I wrote after my seven year break was The Preacher’s Bride. At the time I wrote the book, my youngest two children were still very little, so I had to sneak in writing during nap time and in the evenings after their bedtime. In all, the book took me about a year to complete, writing only about 500 words a day.

After my long break, I didn't know how I compared with other authors. And quite frankly, I wasn't sure if my writing skills were up to par. I hemmed and hawed and finally decided it wouldn’t hurt to send my manuscript out to publishers and see what happened. So I turned on my handy internet and began researching publishers.

Times had changed drastically since I’d queried and submitted years before. I quickly learned that most publishers didn’t accept unsolicited manuscripts, that I would likely need to get an agent if I had any hope of getting into a bigger traditional publisher. And so, I began to compile a list of agents who represented inspirational fiction and sent out the queries.

Slowly the rejections trickled back in. The Preacher’s Bride was rejected by every agent I sent it to . . .

Except one.

Only one agent showed an interest, a fairly new agent, who at that time was still building her client list. She told me she liked my query and asked me to send her the entire manuscript. So I did. But I was still very naïve and checked my email several times a day, excited and yet nervous all at the same time.

One week passed in to two. And then three. And then four. Months passed. And I didn’t hear one word from the agent.

In the meantime, I decided I would keep writing. So that year, as The Preacher’s Bride continued to languish in the agent’s slush pile, I put my heart and soul into writing another book.

So how did I finally get my big break?

I entered the Genesis contest through ACFW in 2009. And The Preacher’s Bride and the other manuscript I had just completed finaled. Once I received the exciting phone call about my final, I contacted the agent that had The Preacher’s Bride in her slush pile and updated her on the status.

Fortunately the final perked her attention and she pulled my manuscript, read it, and three days later called and offered me representation. Three months later I signed a contract with Bethany House publishers. And they offered me a three book deal.

Now in 2013, after finishing two contracts, I've signed a third book contract with Bethany House Publishers.

Moral of the story?

Good things come in threes? *grin*

No seriously, the real moral is that my trip to publication didn't happen overnight. I had pit stops along the way, detours, and a long uphill climb. But through it all, I never gave up my passion for writing. And no matter what the future may bring, I know I'll always love writing.

I love hearing from readers! Make sure you stop by one of these places and say hello.

I hang out on Facebook here: Author Jody Hedlund

I also love to chat on Twitter: @JodyHedlund

My home base is at my website: jodyhedlund.com

Or you're welcome to email me at: jodyhedlund@jodyhedlund.com

Jody Hedlund is an award-winning historical romance novelist and author of the best-selling books, The Preacher's Bride, Unending Devotion, and A Noble Groom. She received a bachelor’s degree from Taylor University and a master’s from the University of Wisconsin, both in Social Work. Currently she makes her home in Michigan with her husband and five busy children. 

To enter the contest for an autographed copy of 

Jody Hedlund's book: "Rebellious Heart":

leave a comment (and email address)

and become a follower of this site if you aren't already.

Winner announced on my facebook page.

Thank you, Jody, for Joining us This Weekend!

Friend, what a fun spirit Jody conveys in her description of her writing journey led by God. Let's see here are a few she mentioned: 
She read every how to book about the topic
She took the rejection letter as a sign she was getting close to publication
She also viewed rejection as training
She made her children a priority, but used her free time to write
She entered a contest to get her break 

Choose one and add your comment.