Inspired by Life ... and Fiction

Novelists bound by the pen, sisterhood, & more

My Writing Closet (…and a giveaway!)

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Please extend a very warm welcome to my friend Jill Lynn!   Jill and I met a few years ago at an American Christian Fiction Writers conference.  Then, Jill was an unpublished writer who’d been nominated for (and went on to win) a Genesis award for her work.  Now, she’s multi published!  AND she’s giving one Inspired by Life…and Fiction reader a copy of her brand new release.  Check the bottom of the post for details! -Becky

Jill-Lynn

Jill

I used to joke that when I first started writing, I wrote in a closet. It wasn’t a physical place, but a mindset. I very quietly began to write at home during my son’s naps. No one besides my husband needed to know. I didn’t want to proclaim, I’m a writer! And then fail before I could take my first step. So I quietly wrote.

Eventually, I reached a point where I had to make a decision. Am I going to step out and admit this dream to someone besides my husband? It was not an easy leap for me. I ended up going to a local writers group, and it became my first venture out of that writing closet. That night was filled with divine appointments from God. His provision wasn’t lost on me.

Now, three books in, I look back on that and wonder, what was I so afraid of?

Failing.

Definitely failing.

JillL2

But then I think, what if?

What if I hadn’t gone to that meeting that night? What if I wouldn’t have entered that contest? Or the one after? Or the one after? What if I hadn’t met who I’ve met?

If I hadn’t put that dream in the palm of my hand and edged into the world, I know I wouldn’t be here at this moment, celebrating the release of my third book.

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I fussed a bit while he was shaping me and pushing me into some things I didn’t think I was ready for. And maybe I wasn’t ready. But he was.

I’m so thankful God nudged me out of that closet. It was lonely and dark in there. 😉

Her-Texas-FamilyJill Lynn Buteyn is a co-author of Just Show Up with Kara Tippetts, and an author of inspirational romance (as Jill Lynn). Her latest release, Her Texas Family, is in stores now. Jill lives near the beautiful Rocky Mountains with her husband and two children. She’s a fan of laughter, thrift stores, boots and chocolate. Connect with Jill at…

Jill-Lynn.com

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Jill will be giving a paperback copy or an e-copy (winner’s choice) of Her Texas Family to one Inspired by Life reader!  Simply leave a comment below to enter.  I’ll randomly select a winner on Monday.  USA residents only, please.  Best of luck, everyone!  Thanks for visiting, Jill!

Congratulations to Kim Hansen!  Kim, you’ve won a copy of Her Texas Family.  Enjoy!

In her post, Jill says, “His provision wasn’t lost on me.”  God is a faithful provider, amen?!  How has he provided for you (in ways large or small) lately?

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Becky Wade

Author at Bethany House
Becky makes her home in Dallas, Texas with her husband and three children. She absolutely loves writing funny, heartwarming, and inspirational contemporary Christian romance.
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Comments

  1. How nice to read about Jill! I would enjoy meeting her in person! And, I’m putting “Her Texas Family” on my Book Request list! (I live in a rural community where the Bookmobile comes every 3 weeks!)

  2. I look forward to reading Jill’s books. I was inspired for her comments about her walk with God.

  3. Hi Becky and Jill,
    I can attest to needing God to show up…every. single. day. He always provides whatever I need, He’s good like that! I always know when He’s done something extra special for me and smile knowing I have a Father in heaven who cares for me.
    Like Sunday for example, It was my birthday and I won a book I’d been wanting to read, a small thing, yes, but it felt like a wink from God saying “I provide for all your needs and I know your wants too”.
    I’d love to read Her Texas Family. I’m also looking forward to May 3rd when I wake up and find Her One and Only on my Kindle 🙂 God bless!

    tracey14567 at gmail dot com

  4. How doesn’t God provide for me every day?
    I remember that in college I needed one class over the summer, but I didn’t want my parents to have to pay room and board in order for me to take just ONE class. I prayed about whether I should go home and try to take it there or to remain at my college three hours away. I asked God to direct me in the way he wanted me to go. I had the opportunity to get a job as a freshman counselor that would provide room and board. I prayed that if GOd would like me to stay that I would get that job. Well, I did. BUT I also found out that I won an award that included a small monetary gift as well – it EXACTLY paid my summer tuition and my mailbox rental. I always look at that as GOd knows exactly what I need when I need it and sometimes he goes above and beyond what I thought I needed! He’s awesome!

    • WOW! What a fantastic memory of God’s provision. It brings to mind Matt 6:8, “your Father knows what you need”. How would our lives be different if we really lived out that belief every day?! There’d be so much less stress and striving.

  5. Wow, what an encouraging post, Becky and Jill! Just what I needed to start my day. I’ve been struggling with feeling stuck and like I’m failing, and He just keeps sending me encouragement in unexpected ways – like this post 🙂

    Thanks for sharing, Jill. I’d love to read this book!

  6. This is an area I am struggling with at this moment. I keep looking for God to provide a way in a certain area in my life. I guess I keep looking for how I would like it answered and I am not seeing it. I know He will provide a way I need to let Him and watch how and what He does. This post has giving me encouragement as I read some of the comments. Praise God He is our great provider!

    Thank you for this opportunity to win this book. I look forward to reading it.

  7. God provided my husband a job three weeks ago. He is a union carpenter and only had six weeks work last year. Praying there is more work when this is finished.

  8. So inspiring! When doesn’t God provide and exceed our expectations? We just have to believe He can. Loved this post!

    And can’t wait to read Her Texas Family!

  9. Hi Jill. It’s nice to meet you. I enjoyed reading about your dream to be an author and how you got there. I love the things you are a fan of. It’s fun to have those brag worthy thrift store purchases! 🙂 I am looking forward to reading your books and pray you have many years of successful stories that find their way to paper!

    Becky, thanks for introducing us to Jill.

  10. What a lovely post today! God is always faithful to show up when we need him, and he continually blesses me and my family. There have been times I didn’t know how we were going to manage getting through the week, and he has turned our lives around and we don’t have to worry about whether we eat or can pay bills etc. I am richer in my faith now than ever before, and I shake my head and wonder what took me so long to get close to him.

  11. Jill, thank you for sharing your story. I know the fear of failing affects a lot of us. I would love to read your book. Thank you for the chance to win a copy.

  12. God provides for me everyday! Just being able to get out of the bed, see with my eyes, hear with my ears, all so amazing. Looking forward to your new book Jill!

  15. In the words of a song: “I have clothing, shelter, and food; I am blessed!” Our local economy is pretty sad here and I have no personal income, but God still makes it so I can do a lot of my favorite things: eat, breathe, go to church, sew, garden, write…even shop!I love Him.

  16. Awesome post. I would love to win this book! The Lord has provided for me recently in that we are moving soon and he just keeps putting things into place.

  17. I just finished “Just Show Up” and it was such a gift for my heart. I’m so grateful for how openly and vulnerably you shared about your friendship with Kara and what it meant to suffer together. I had no idea that you wrote fiction too! Looking forward to reading this “side” of your writing too, Jill.

    • The Lord has provided so much for us in recent days. In the midst of much transition, he’s given me the simple graces of good food, of sunshine, of my daughter’s sweet giggling, of dance parties in the living room, of hugs, of campfire and reading good books to remind me that I’m loved and seen.

    • Alison, my worlds collide! 😉 I have one other fiction book out that came out before Just Show Up. I still look back and wonder how God orchestrated Kara and I–two writers–to walk that journey together. Pretty amazing. <3 Thanks for stopping by!

  20. Sounds like a great book! I love the cover! God has really held me up and given me His strength throughout this past week, as my schedule has been unusually demanding. He is faithful! He is the same God who made an axehead float and conquered death; I’m confident in His ability to sustain me.

  21. Hi Jill, it is nice to meet you! I love how you “quietly” started writing. And now look! Wow! Thank you for the giveaway opportunity.

  22. I love it when I find a new author who writes clean wholesome books! It really makes my day! I have been blessed and sustained by god in so many ways, I can’t even count them all! Most recently, I have a son who is seving a mission in a scary part of Mexico. I have prayed for his self keeping and for my peace of mind. So far, all is well, and he has been able to do the lords work and still stay safe! Thanks for listening!

  23. Life is always so full of surprises and I am ever so thankful that my God has my back through it all! 🙂

  24. Thank you for sharing your story. So encouraging! I am looking forward to reading your books.

  25. God is such an awesome provider for me. Little things like rides to church or someone offering to take me shopping are things to rejoice in. Since I was 5 years old, I have always wanted to be a missionary. Now at the age of 75 that might become a reality.

  26. Not enough space or time to comment on the numerous ways God has always provided for and blessed me, the trials He has brought me through (including my present battle with cancer, for the 3rd time) – He is my literal hope, salvation and reason for being. Each trial has brought me nearer Him, each blessing makes me even more grateful. I trust Him to always guide me and use each trial to my good.

    Enjoyed your post, Jill, and look forward to reading ‘Her Texas Family’!!

    • Bonnie, 3 times. Wow, you are a fighter! I am sure it is not the battle you would have chosen, but I love that you are clinging to God in the midst of it. Blessing to you. <3

  29. God has provided for me and my family all along the way. When there has been a need, He was already working out the details before we could ask. Of course, we still needed to ask but He never let us down.

  30. God is so good all of the time. Shhh! But I got a speeding ticket. I got a surprise visa gift card in the mail that I won and so God provided. I eventually confessed to hubs though. 😉 (like he could even complain) lol! So, God is in the little things as well as the big!

  31. I love your books, Jill, and it’s so wonderful to see authors seeking God about their work. He is your Provider in everything! Keep on writing what He lays on your heart.

  32. Stepping out of one’s comfort zone is difficult. Glad you did and you are able to enjoy writing books for all of us to enjoy reading! God has provided many blessings on a daily basis, a comfortable home, food to eat, and the opportunity to see and hear His beautiful creation each day! Thanks for the opportunity to win! Linda

  34. For me, as maudlin as this sounds, one of the most basic things He provides are pain-free days in which my back and legs work just fine.
    And friends who take me to antique malls and bbq joints and join me in my snarky world.
    😉

  35. What a wonderful post! It’s always nice to be introduced to new authors.

    Throught the years I have learned that God is always faithful and provides when you least expect it. Recently, while waiting for test results on my husband, He gave me peace of mind. The news was good – so what a blessing!

    Best wishes for your future success!

  36. Jill, I appreciate you sharing your story. It’s not easy getting out of the closet. I have attended writer’s groups and writer’s conferences, but I am still afraid of failure. Thank you for your encouragement. I know God is faithful and he has provided for me so many times. I know He wants me to write and share His story, so He will show me the way.

    I would love a chance to win your book.

  38. This as a onderful testimony! Thank you for sharing. Looj forward to reading your books!

  39. Thank you Becky for introducing us to Jill. You have a lovely blog, by the way. So appreciate you ladies sharing your hearts. It’s good to hear stories of how God prepares us, and then sends us out to connect with others. Yes, I’d love to have a copy of Jill’s latest book.

  40. My iPad just woke me up at 1:49 AM .I saw the listing for your giveaway & would love to add your books to my list of books to read. Thank you for the opportunity to share. God works in marvelous & mysterious ways. Be thankful in all things. P.s. Goodnight or good morning!

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