Fabulous Friday Feature-Jeanne Takenaka

Today I welcome author: 

Jeanne Takenaka

A prepublished author's
journey led by God

Jeanne and I have been good friends for a couple of years. I can't even remember where we met. We just did. Was it through My Book Therapy? The Writer's Alley? At a conference? I'm not sure, but what I know is she is one sweet person. She always smiles. Works really hard. Is dedicated to God's call for her to write. Wow. Jeanne is not yet published, but I am convinced she will be back here on Let's Talk with a debut novel some day. I asked Jeanne to share with us how God has led her on her writing journey. This is what she said:

The Story Only We Can Write

I’m the one who said I could never write a book.

Oh sure, I wanted to, from the time I was thirteen. But when the idea first entered my mind, the thought of creating settings, plots and characters seemed way too big to this insecure girl. So, I chalked it up as one of those, “I could never…..” passing fancies, and I got on with living the real life of growing up.

Fast forward to four years ago. As my husband and I sat in a couple’s retreat, an idea literally popped into my brain. A story question something along the lines of, “What if ballroom dancing could save a marriage?” A skeleton of a plot as well as the heroine’s name accompanied this crazy impression. 

I know agents and editors dread hearing, “God told me to write this story.” He really did give me the inspiration for it, though. I talked with a trusted writing friend and told her about my idea. Would she think it was as crazy as I did? Her words: “I think you should write this story.” 

My heart pounded as the shelved dream blossomed into a strong desire. I talked with my husband about it, knowing I needed his support to do something this radical (at least for me). He  told me I should do it. We talked about the things that would need to change in our lives so I could really pursue this dream of writing a book. 

Jeanne Takenaka, Gabrielle Meyer, Lindsay Harrel
at a My Book Therapy Retreat

I learned about My Book Therapy and devoured everything I could learn about writing craft. I attended their Story Crafter’s retreat and learned that I still had a lot to learn about crafting a compelling story. Their other retreats also gave me great teaching as well as introducing me to other people who understood this drive to write. 

God has put me in touch with encouraging people on this writing journey. They’ve shown me the necessity of being teachable, of hard work and of believing in this calling God places on the crazy ones (translated: writers). One crucial message I heard early in the journey goes along this line: “God gave me this story to write. He didn’t give it to someone else.” I need to write it because I’m the only one who can tell it the way I do. He knows the story we each need to pen because only He knows who will one day read it and be moved by it.

My first two books are women’s fiction because relationships and seeing them whole and healthy is my heart beat. My current manuscript is a contemporary. Each of my stories has a component that deals with understanding who we are in God’s eyes.

As I’ve grown in my writing skills, I’ve entered contests. I’ve finaled in a few, including the My Book Therapy’s Frasier contest in 2013 and 2014.

I’ve found blogging has helped me discover my voice. More than that, I’m meeting people and finding that comments left on the posts I write challenge me to consider the topics through different perspectives.

I’m not published yet, but I hope I will be one day. I’m working on my third book, and of course, I’m hoping this is “the one.” Ultimately, my writing is for God’s eyes first. I’m learning to trust His timing and his plan for my writing journey.

God’s the giver of every good gift. He equips us to fulfill the call to write for Him. I try to be teachable so that I can improve in telling stories He can use to touch readers.

Jeanne Takenaka writes contemporary fiction that deals with real life issues with a heart to draw women closer to God and to those around them. She is wife to one amazing man who is her real life hero, and mother to two exuberant boys who hope to one day have a dog of their own. She loves being God’s girl always learning about His grace, hanging out with friends and enjoying a great cup of coffee. She and her family live near the mountains in Colorado. She is a member of ACFW and My Book Therapy Voices.

You can connect with her on: 

Facebook author's page Jeanne Takenaka 

Website http://jeannetakenaka.wordpress.com.
Twitter @JeanneTakenaka

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Jeanne's Manuscript:

 Safe in the Shadows

After being humiliated by a Hollywood scandal as a teenage TV star, Tiana Emory ran from fame—a dream come true that turned into a humiliating nightmare. She hid behind an altered name and the “normal” life of a non-profit manager, wife and mom. Now widowed and the mother of two children, Tiana clings to her anonymity. But when her husband’s former best friend, NFL player Carter Maddox, asks for her help, Tiana’s security is threatened. How can she say no when the job will help pay for medical treatments her chronically-ill daughter desperately needs?

As her choices draw her further into the public eye—and closer to Carter, Tiana must decide who truly defines her—the gossip-dishing media or the God who created her. And, was her safe life merely a mirage all along?.

Wow! Jeanne, This sounds like a fantastic book!

Thank you, Jeanne, for Joining us This Weekend!

Don't forget to comment!

What about you? Do you have any dreams you’ve stacked in the, “I could never….” shelves of your life? What dreams are you working toward accomplishing?

Reader, Take a moment and leave Jeanne a word of encouragement.

Thanks so much for joining our chat today. Don't forget to help yourself to virtual coffee/tea/pastries!