author
Janet Tronstad
Janet Tronstad
Enter to win Janet's book:
either
Lovebirds at Heartbreak Cafe
or
Alaskan Sweethearts
either
Lovebirds at Heartbreak Cafe
or
Alaskan Sweethearts
Scroll to the end of the post to see how to enter.
I've know Janet only a short time and already feel a kindred friendship with her. She's just one of those kind a gals. I asked her to share with us how God has led her on her writing journey. Here is what she said:
An Awkward Partnership
Mary
posed a difficult question when she asked me to share the spiritual aspects of my
writing journey with you. God, me, and my writing have been, at times, an
awkward partnership. I was writing before I knew Him very well and, by the time
I felt the urge to dedicate my work to him, I didn’t do it because I had
accumulated rejections (lots of them) and didn’t want to appear like I was
begging for some God-given favor with the editors. You know what I mean?
I
wanted God to bless me in my writing, but I wanted my work to merit
publication. I didn’t want a miracle. I don’t know if it was pride or just
sheer stubbornness that made that so, but I wanted to do it on my own.
Looking
back after some 35 books published with Harlequin’s Love Inspired, I no longer
have that problem. I humbly accept all of the help I can get with my writing
success. But I think every writer goes on a unique journey with God in regards
to their work. Part of my hesitation to ask for too much help from Him came
about because of a writer friend I had at the time. Who, although a Christian,
was so confident that God was going to bring her a publisher for her book that,
when I was offered a contract and she was not, she stopped speaking to me. She
could not bear that I had found success before her. It literally shook her
faith.
I
meet people frequently who feel God has told them to write a particular book. I
always tell them to enjoy their journey and remind them there are many
blessings in writing besides being traditionally published. No one wants to
hear this, but it is true.
Right
now I am working on my 36th book with Harlequin Love Inspired. It’s part of my North to Dry Creek
series (the first book, Alaskan Sweethearts, comes out in mid-September and
will be on the shelves in October – it’s a fun book about a grandfather trying
to make a match for his grandson using an old gold mine to sweeten the deal). I
have also just published my first indie book, Lovebirds at the Heartbreak Café
(a story set in the 1950’s about a trucker and a waitress and a whole carload
of little kids).
I
am happily giving away a copy of either of these titles (your choice) to
someone who comments on this blog post and becomes a follower or subscriber of
Mary’s site. And, since we are on
the subject, I’d love to know about your writing relationship with God. Leave a
comment or a thought.
Janet Tronstad grew up on her family's farm in central Montana and now lives in Pasadena, California where she is always at work on her next book. She has written more than three dozen books, many of them set in the fictitious town of Dry Creek, Montana where the men spend the winters gathered around the potbellied stove in the hardware store and the women make jelly in the fall.
Romance. Elvis. A fun 50's style novella from USA TODAY and PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY bestselling author Janet Tronstad.
A truck driver (Buddy) and a waitress (Penny) both have enough trouble without everyone in Webster's Crossing thinking they are falling in love.
A new Retro Cafe Sweet Romance sure to delight you.
~~
To enter the contest for an autographed copies of
Janet's Tronstad's book either: "Lovebirds at Hearbreak Cafe or Alaskah Sweethearts":
leave a comment (and email address)
AND become a follower of this site,
OR sign up to receive posts by email
if you aren't already.
Sorry US only
OR sign up to receive posts by email
if you aren't already.
Sorry US only
Winner announced on my facebook page.
Thank you, Janet, for Joining us This Weekend!
.
I love Janet's spirit. God didn't choose to bless her more. She simply humbled herself and did as He led her to do. Your turn: Janet asks us to tell our writing relationship with God. Or change the word writing to what your current interest is. For example: if you are a quilter, how are you able to strengthen your relationship with God through quilting?
Or just say howdie doo. :) We love to chat here.
Comments
Thanks for another great start to my weekend and blessings to both of you!
I think Alaskan Sweethearts sounds great, thank you for the chance to win a copy.
wfnren(at)aol(dot)com
I think that I am a follower of Mary Vee, will ck to be sure. Happy Birthday Mary....
thanks for sharing today comments by Janet.
Paula O(kyflo130@yahoo.com)
I think people love receiving snail mail. It so rarely comes that the envelope alone is a treasure and the message inside an added bonus.
What kind and thoughtful words. I think many of us are strengthened when reading in ways we don't always realize right away. Sometimes I think God stores the nugget in our hearts until the right moment.
So loved charing with you today, Wendy.
Ah hah, you two are friends. So awesome. I'm glad you stopped by to say hi to Janet.
It's been a long time since you visited. I've missed you!. What great thoughts...reading the right books is crucial to deeming solid relationships. This is another good reason to read good books. Thanks for the birthday greetings! Don't be a stranger. Love to see you again.
What great words of encouragement! I could tell by Janet's email that she is a very sweet spirit person. I look forward to meeting her in person like you did.
Thanks so much for stopping by. We loved chatting with you.