Please welcome Jennifer Slattery who shares the inspiration for her novel, Beyond I Do. (For a limited time, Beyond I Do is only $0.99 at ChristianBook.com.)
What sparked your idea for the story?
Beyond I Do centers largely around the issue of homelessness, a pandemic that can easily be overlooked or disregarded. As many now know, I spent time on the streets as a teenager, but a few years ago, I kept this part of me hidden, out of shame. And yet, I kept encountering other believers who made harsh statements regarding the homeless population, statements that revealed common myths we as a society often hold. Myths like: Homeless people are lazy. They chose this lifestyle. All they do is get drunk.
And yet, these same people that made these statements expressed a respect and love for me, and I often wondered, “Would they still feel this way, still long to be my friend, if they knew…” Through much prayer, I realized God wanted me to show others a different side of homelessness—the side of hope available through Christ Jesus.
What surprised you most as you wrote the story?
How closely God walked with me through every part of the process, providing people to help me along the way. One of my favorite parts of writing comes as I’m leading a character toward their arc—inner change. This moment is always a very intimate time for me and my Savior, a time when I pull away from my computer, grab my Bible, and pray. Because that aha! moment must be deep—life-changing even, and life-changing epiphanies can only come from Christ.
What is something unexpected one of your characters did?
Hm… I’d like to ask my readers that. Without giving away the ending, can you share something one of my characters did that surprised you? Or maybe something you wish they would’ve done differently?
Jennifer Slattery writes soul-stirring fiction for New Hope Publishers, a publishing house passionate about bringing God’s healing grace and truth to the hopeless. Her debut novel, Beyond I Do, is currently discounted in e-book format for under $3!
Jennifer also writes for Crosswalk.com, Internet Café Devotions, and writes and edits for Christ to the World Ministries. When not writing, she loves helping aspiring authors grow in their craft and has editing slots open beginning in November.
Find out more here: http://wordsthatkeep.wordpress.com/
Visit with Jennifer online at Jennifer Slattery Lives Out Loud.
Beyond I Do:
Will seeing beyond the present unite them or tear them apart?
Marriage . . . it’s more than a happily ever after. Eternally more.
Ainsley Meadows, raised by a hedonist mother, who cycles through jobs and relationships like wrapping paper on Christmas morning, falls into a predictable and safe relationship with Richard, a self-absorbed socialite psychiatrist. But as her wedding nears, a battered woman and her child spark a long-forgotten dream and ignite a hidden passion. One that threatens to change everything, including her fiancé. To embrace God’s best and find true love, this security-seeking bride must follow God with reckless abandon and realize that marriage goes Beyond I Do.
Remember: You can get your copy of Beyond I Do for only $0.99 at ChristianBook.com.
So glad to have Jennifer Slattery as today’s guest. I love this line from her post: “Because that aha! moment must be deep—life-changing even, and life-changing epiphanies can only come from Christ.” Thanks for sharing your story, Jennifer.