Fabulous Friday Feature-Jocelyn Green

Today we welcome author:

Jocelyn Green

One commenter will win a copy of
Jocelyn's book:

 Spy of Richmond

Scroll down to see how.

Mary here. I'm so happy to welcome Jocelyn to Let's Talk this weekend. What I appreciate the most about historical fiction is the way authors like Jocelyn make actual events come to life. They paint colors, create smells and tastes, and help us feel events we've never lived through.  I asked Jocelyn to tell us how God led her on her writing journey. Here is what she said: 

In the Dark, Still, Isolated Time in Alaska

Ever since I was old enough to hold a pencil, I’ve been writing. My first book, as I saw it, was me writing captions for my Bugs Bunny coloring book that told a story. My goal from that point on was to become “an arthur” (author).

Fast forward to college graduation. I had a degree in English with a concentration in writing, and I got a job as an editor working for a nonprofit on Capitol Hill. Two years later I married a Coast Guard officer and we moved to Alaska, which was a great time for me to try freelance journalism. I had a lot of time on my hands, with my husband often at sea, and no children yet. I would have loved to write a book at that point, but I read something that stopped me. The quote was: “Beware of writing when you have nothing to say.” That quote scared me to death! So in that dark, still, isolated time in Alaska, I waited on the Lord.

And oh, did He show up. Not in the way I expected, but in fresh and beautiful ways. I was learning so much about God, not in spite of being a military wife, but because of being a military wife. Spiritual insights and verses sprang to life in ways they never had before. I thought, surely, there had to be a devotional book out there pointing out all these spiritual riches to military wives. When I searched and didn’t find one, I decided to write it myself, with contributions of other military wives from every branch of service.

Three years after signing with an agent, which was also two years after I had given up any hope, we finally landed a contract with Moody Publishers. Faith Deployed: Daily Encouragement for Military Wives, was born in 2008.

My next several books were also nonfiction for military. But my husband was no longer active duty, and I was growing more certain every day that my time writing for military was coming to a close. I couldn’t think of anything else to say, and I could see the Lord raising up other wonderful military wives who were writing and speaking to this group of women. I honestly thought my writing well had run dry.

Then one rainy October day, I visited the Adams County Historical Society in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, to do research for my then-current project, which was Stories of Faith and Courage from the Home Front. My mission was to gather stories from the civilians of Gettysburg to include in the book. But as I read the diaries and letters written by women who lived through the battle and its aftermath, I was so astounded by their bravery and contributions. I’d paid attention in history classes, but I’d never heard of what women actually did during the Civil War beyond a few token examples. I thought to myself, “Somebody ought to write a historical novel about these women. Fiction would be a great vehicle to convey the drama of this period.” I did not have myself in mind.

The next week, Moody Publishers called and told me they wanted to start a fiction line. They wanted to know if I had ever thought about writing fiction. “I’ve thought about it,” I replied, “but that’s not the same thing as actually having done it!” When she asked if I had any ideas, I told her about the women of Gettysburg, the nurses who came to help, and about other women in the Civil War who greatly inspired me. She asked for a book proposal.

My dear friends, I had no idea how to write a novel. I’d been an avid reader of them all my life, but didn’t feel I could just sit down and do it. So I hightailed it to Barnes & Noble and bought almost every book they had on novel writing. Then went through the process of writing the synopsis and first fifty pages of the book.

A few months later, I signed a four-book contract for Heroines Behind the Lines Civil War series.

As I look back, I can see Gods hand guiding my writing career so clearly. Now my Civil War series is complete, but I'm still writing historical fiction. God continues to open doors to me that I never even dreamed of knocking on. This is not to say it's easy. Writing, in and of itself, is hard work. HARD. The way I see it, God provides opportunities, but I need to work hard enough to be worthy of them.

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Jocelyn Green is the award-winning author of ten books, including fiction and nonfiction. A former military wife herself, she offers encouragement and hope to military wives worldwide through her Faith Deployed books and The 5 Love Languages Military Edition, which she co-authored with best-selling author Dr. Gary Chapman. Her Heroines Behind the Lines Civil War novels, inspired by real heroines on America’s home front, are marked by their historical integrity and gritty inspiration. Her first novel, Wedded to War, was a Christy Award Finalist and won the gold medal from Military Writers Society of America. Her latest release is Spy of Richmond.

She loves Mexican food, Broadway musicals, Toblerone chocolate bars, the color red, and reading on her patio. Jocelyn lives with her husband Rob and two children in Cedar Falls, Iowa.

Jocelyn loves to connect with readers. You can find her at:
   Facebook|Twitter

Website|Pinterest
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Spy of Richmond

The Confederate capital in the height of the Civil War: no place for a Union loyalist. But just the place for a spy. Her father a slaveholder, her suitor a Confederate officer, and herself an abolitionist, Sophie Kent must walk a tightrope of deception in her efforts to end slavery. As suspicion in Richmond rises, Sophie’s espionage becomes more and more dangerous. If her courage will carry her through, what will be lost along the way—her true love, her father, her life?

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Enter the contest to win a copy of Jocelyn's book:

Spy of Richmond

here is how:

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Thank you, Jocelyn, for joining us this weekend!

We enjoy chatting with you and are looking forward to reading your comments and questions. Or at least your hi, hello, or hey.

Thanks for stopping by!

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