I’m delighted to introduce my friend Jennifer Major to you today! She’s funny, genuine, and wonderfully supportive of all her writer friends. She also happens to be a redheaded Canadian who loves to read and write Native American stories. Today she’s sharing about her journey toward publication and inspiring us all in the process to work toward our own dreams. -Becky
There was this girl…woman…adult aged female…who harbored a secret wish. But, she was fairly certain she’d never leave the winter side of the wish, because she and her husband had four children. The youngest was born when our mystery woman was a few months shy of 40.
Forty.
Yup. She was BUSY. Always winter, never Narnia.
Or something.
Anyway, one random wintery night (December 26th, 2011, 10pm-ish) our friend thought to herself, “What do you want in fifty years? A bucket of regret?”
Pecos River, at Fort Sumner, New Mexico
So, I started to write. That was three and a half years ago. And now? Here I am, on the summer side of that wish, learning things I never knew were things. Meeting people who ‘get’ me. People who actually do wake up at odd hours with characters in their minds. Voices in their heads. Stories that need to be heard.
My friends, we’re each given That One Thing. That thirst inside that cannot be quenched. It took me 48 years to figure mine out. Why? Not because I have four children, but because I wasn’t listening. I was avoiding. I was running. I was afraid.
Afraid to just JUMP.
Why?
Because what if I failed? What if people laughed? What if I was terrible at it?
But that night, it was if God reached down from Heaven and said “Take my hand, I know the way.”
I’ve given my writing career to God because it’s too big for me to handle on my own. And what has He done? He’s orchestrated research trips, introduced me to people I’d never have met unless His hand was on the moment. Given me a drive to excel. To work. To take the disappointments and keep going. To carry the story in my heart.
How do I know God is in this?
After an arduous research trip in 2013, I boarded a train in Gallup, New Mexico. I was utterly exhausted. “What am I doing, Lord? Does any of this matter? Speak to me! Tell me I’m doing the right thing! Please!”
Full train or not, I wanted to be alone. A man sat down. “Hi, I’m Max Perez.” He seemed nice, but I was so tired.
Hold on, child. Trust Me.
Max and I chatted. He’s a school principal. At a Navajo school in Shiprock. He asked about my manuscript. I told him the rough outline. About the Navajo warrior who runs from battle. Changes his name. His identity. Max asked the warrior’s names. I felt awkward. He asked again. “Well, first, he is Natanii. And then, Nez.”
“Cool.” Max grinned and settled into his seat. “Now, tell me the entire story. We have time.”
So, I did. Even the parts about God being there when life is at its worst. Yup, I preached.
As we approached Albuquerque, Max grinned again and said, “Jennifer, I want you to ask me the name of my old school.”
Huh?
“Uhhh, okay…Max, what’s the name of your old school?”
“Natanii Nez Elementary.”
Jennifer near Half Moon Bay, California
Jennifer Major is a Canadian hockey mom of 4 who dislikes snow, being cold, and did she mention she seriously loathes snow? She and her tree scientist husband live in the snowiest part of Canada, and share their home with their two youngest hockey players. Despite her pleas, her husband refuses to study palm trees, sand or beaches. Thankfully, her research into Navajo history takes her to places with plenty of palm trees and saguaro cacti. And heat. Jennifer is represented by Mary Keeley of Books and Such Literary Management.
You can connect with Jennifer at:
Jennifer’s blog
Twitter
Facebook
Let’s talk about dreams! What’s a dream (big or small) that you’re currently working toward or would like to work toward?
Becky Wade
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What a great story of God orchestrating things! My story is much less interesting, but as someone whose two youngest children AND writing “career” were born in her 40s, I can relate!
There’s no such thing as “much less interesting”! With God doing the orchestrating, I am sure you’ve got quite a few WOW moments just waiting to come out.
Thank you for stopping by to say hello.
That’s a wonderful story, Jennifer.
I started writing in the early 2000s. A publisher had my manuscript for a year before they said, No thanks. Life was busy and I put the writing aside. In 2008, I read Debbie Bacomber’s book “Twenty Wishes.” A group of women decide to fulfill their secret dreams. I started writing again. And now my series is contracted.
Thank you. And how cool is chasing our secret dreams, eh? (Can you tell I’m Canadian?) And congratuations!!!
I can spell CONGRATULATIONS…I can…
What a wonderful outcome, Terri!! Best wishes with your series.
learning to drive and getting my daughter through college!
Both worthy and attainable dreams! I learned to drive when I was 27, and wow, you’d think I was Wilma Flinstone the way my friends all acted up until then.
We have 2 on their own and it’s amazing the way our babies change when they’re done being kids.
What a great story. I love it when God does things like this. 🙂
Thank you!! It really did send a chill up my spine when Max said the name of his old school. He grinned, and I know God was smiling, too!
Welcome, Jennifer! What a wonderful story! I love it when God puts “punchlines” in our lives, like your warrior’s names and the name of that school. So awesome!
Thank you, Deb, it’s great to be here.
Yes, the name of the school!! Max was well aware he was going to freak me out for quite a while, and kept asking me more and more about the stories. Back then, invited me to speak at his middle school, and after 2 years of waiting and planning, I’ll be there right after ACFW in September. I’m SO excited!
Amazing story, Jennifer! I can so relate to starting over in your 40s and finally letting go of the fear! Its powerfully freeing and truly is the best part of this journey! Thanks for sharing!
Yes!! Jumping away from the fear is SO freeing!! Once we trust God not to drop us, it’s amazing what He does with us, isn’t it?
Oh, I am so excited to ‘meet’ you! When I saw your photo of Spider Rock in Canyon de Chelly, I knew I had to discover what you are all about! If ever there is a place on this earth that my soul would reside, it would be in that wonderful, magical land of red dirt! As an avocational historian and archeologist, I am totally captivated by the Southwest. As one whose almost only pleasure reading genre is Christian historical fiction, I must read the stories from your pen! I believe I can well imagine send understand how that land, those wonderful, enduring people, the strong ‘spirits’ and the unique history inspires. A writer I am not. I am often frustrated just trying to record the essence of that place in my journal. I must depend upon others to find and write the words that justly and adequately reveal the secrets and the stories that find home there. I am so happy to know of another who must surely love it as much as I, one who will write those stories! I look forward to reading your books!
Wow! You and Jennifer are clearly meant to be friends, Bonnie. 🙂 I thoroughly reading your comments about the Southwest and your experiences with it. Thanks for sharing! How cool that you and Jennifer feel such a strong connection to the same region.
Hi Becky,
Yes, isn’t it so wonderful that God’s timely introduction of others into our lives is such a blessing! I love that! Thank you for your kindness. I’ve enjoyed your books and I will be looking for others. When I first started reading Christian fiction in the late 70s, the choices were few! I’ve loved having the plethora available now! It’s a great thing that I read constantly because there’s so much out there that calls my name!
Blessings!
Bonnie
I apologize for not realizing that my post on the 26th did not fly! This iPad must have other ideas!
Ahe’hee shik’is!
That means “thank you, my friend”.
I LOVE Canyon de Chelly, and hope to make it there in late September. I also love that it’s still home to many Navajo people and the canyon is off limits without a Navajo guide. If I could convince my family, we’d move to Chinle and stay there.
Thank you also for your kind words about my writing. As you can imagine, with that history, it’s been rough at times getting through the research. I’ve grown to love the Southwest, and look forward to my next visit.
Please, come by my blog and visit my “what I write” posts. You might like them.
And as for not being a writer? Think again, Bonnie. Your comment has music to it.
I love the “Ahe’hee shik’is” and back to you! Your kind words are appreciated. I am always amazed that God brings to us the people we need in a timely fashion! It’s wonderful to meet those with whom special common interests are shared. My love of that interesting, unique and beautiful part of our world extends far back into my childhood. I love the people, the land, the art and the culture. I’ve been blessed to spend time and meet many people over the years that I otherwise would have never known. The time there and so many kind, sweet people have enriched my life beyond my ability to express the blessing. Sadly, most I met and enjoyed beginning back in the early 80s have passed on and I miss them. The memories are forever tucked into a special place in my heart. I can so well understand the difficulty and complexity of research! I believe your perserverience and gentle tenacity, you will be rewarded. September is a fabulous time to be in the area. The colors are just spectacular!!! This rich golds and yellows in the Canyon, enhanced by the incredible reds, oranges, rusts and earth tones of the walls is totally captivating. There are fewer people and I always thought I absorbed more of the ‘spirits’ of place that so soothed my soul. I hope you do get there and that your time will be refreshing, inspiring and satisfying. I will scoot over to your blog. I’ll enjoy keeping in touch, getting to know you better even if only via cyber! You never know – it might just ‘happen’ that our paths will someday converge at Chinle! I wish you the best with your writing endeavors and look forward to a book!
I did type a response on the 26th and realized it did not post. I think the iPad is the problem! Will try again.
I’m 74 yrs old and really thought my ministry was done. A whole new life has opened up for me through Online Bible Studies with Proverbs31 Ministry. I am training to be a small Facebook group leader. I am learning new kinds of things and now have an avenue to encourage and bless others.
That’s wonderful!
My mother in law is 89 and is as busy as a bee with the ladies from her church.
Your post is very encouraging. I also have a dream to write, but am unsure whether it is what God wants for me, and it seems to scary to then be faced with such criticism…. Good on you. Keep up the hard work.
Savannah, just start writing for you, and for God. He’ll never correct your grammar!
And thank you, I will.
Love this story, Jennifer! So glad I’ll be able to say, “I knew her when…!” Love ya xo
Aww, thanks Rel!
Love you too!
Great story, Jennifer! Love it!
Thank you, Susan!
Fantastic story. Would love to read it!
Thank you!!
WOW! Thank you for sharing this God encounter! (Why does GOD orchestrate those moments when we’re tired & not expecting them!?)
Exactly! They always come at surprising moments. 🙂