Author Spotlight: Debut Author Jennifer Hudson Taylor

I'm so excited to welcome my friend and fellow F.A.I.T.H. girl Jennifer Hudson Taylor to my blog today!

I am giving away a copy of her debut novel (Oh! I love the sound of that!) Highland Blessings that just released last month. Please leave a comment with your email address either here on blogger or on my FACEBOOK Profile under the article. However, for Facebook friends, I can only ship within the United States.

Without further ado, let me introduce our author in the spotlight!

Jennifer Hudson Taylor is the author of historical and contemporary Christian fiction set in Europe and the Carolinas. Her fiction has won awards in the American Christian Fiction Writers' Genesis Contest. Her debut novel, Highland Blessings, was released May 2010. Other works have appeared in national publications, such as Guideposts, Heritage Quest Magazine, Everton’s Genealogical Publishers, and The Military Trader. Jennifer graduated from Elon University with a B.A. in Journalism. When she isn't writing, Jennifer enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, genealogy, and reading. She resides with her husband and daughter in the Charlotte area of NC.


CL:     Welcome to At Split Ends, Jennifer!!


JHT:   Thank you, Christy, I’m glad to be here today.

CL:     One reason this blog is named At Split Ends is because life tends to get hectic   and I’m pulled in all sorts of directions. I want to go one way but have to go another.
I know you have managed to maintain family time, as you continue to work on your book and become published, all while holding down a full time job. Can you offer any insight or advice on how you have successfully managed this?


JHT:   I’m blessed to have a husband who does all the cooking and cleaning around the house. He takes our daughter to swim practice, for her allergy shots, picks her up from school. I couldn’t write in the evenings and on the weekends the way I do without his support and assistance. When we go on family picnics, to other people’s homes, he’s in charge of picking up the food or cooking the food we bring. He also does the grocery shopping.


I have to be disciplined, and meticulous in my note taking and outlines. Since I may have 10 minutes here, 30 minutes there, an hour or two at other times, my outlines and characterization charts help me to remember where I left off and where to pick my story back up again.


I am in the process of revising my book. I’m not alone, many of my readers are in the same boat. What techniques have you found to work for you in the writing/revision process?


It helps to write through the rough draft and not look back at it until it is done. That way once I’ve finished and I read back through from the beginning, those chapters are fresh again. Sometimes I may need to set aside a manuscript and do something else so I can have a fresh perspective.


CL:     ACFW conference is quickly approaching. I know I’m not alone in considering what editors and agents to meet and pitch… What are some things we should consider when choosing an editor or agent?

JHT:    I always tried to look at the types of manuscripts they are seeking and acquiring. If they appeared to be looking for something similar to what I write, then I would create a list. I would inquire about personalities and work ethics with other clients and authors.



 
And now, more about Highland Blessings.

Highland warrior Bryce MacPhearson kidnaps Akira MacKenzie on her wedding day to honor a promise he made to his dying father. When he forces Akira to wed him, hoping to end a half-century feud between their clans, she struggles to overcome her anger and resentment. . .Yet her strength in the Lord becomes a witness to Bryce. But there is a traitor in their midst . . . and murder is the ultimate weapon.
You can watch the book trailer and read the first chapter by clicking here.



CL:     Jennifer, thank you so much for being on my blog today!


JHT:   Thank you for having me!