Interview with Jonna Feavel

Some of the best experiences I have had since becoming an author is 'meeting' other authors on the internet. Darlene Shortridge, author of "Until Forever" (A very good Christian fiction book that I recommend) is one of the authors that I have spoken with on the telephone and messaged many times on facebook and in emails. We share the same publisher.


We were on the same schedule of publication when "Luke's Legacy" was being produced. One day, on our author group page on facebook, Darlene posted a treatment for a bookcover that her young daughter worked up for her. It was very good.
I asked Darlene if her daughter would take me as a client for my next book cover. Jonna graciously accepted the challenge with "The Eyes of a Stranger".

I have to tell all of you authors out there that Jonna is very kind to work with as well as being talented. It has been a pleasure doing business with her. I asked her for an interview and she agreed to do it. It sure helps this newsletter and blog to be more interesting when I have a good interview like this one. Be sure and tell her what you think of her work. Here is the interview:

Thank you for taking the time for this interview, Jonna. I have a few questions that I think my readers might ask if they were here.

1. We know that your name is Jonna Feavel. What is the name of your photography venture?

The name of my venture, or business is Photography by Jonna. Very original, right?

2. Now we need that website address.
The website address is http://www.wix.com/photographybyjonna/photo


3. When did you develop an interest in professional photography?

I first developed an interest in photography when I was very young. I've been taking pictures for about as long as I can remember. I really started becoming professionally interested in it when I was about 13. Ever since then, my mind never stops churning with great ideas!
4. Have you received any recognition for your efforts?

I've had several pictures that were featured in the yearbook at my high school, and lately I've been presented with great opportunities to publish my work.


5. What are some of the exciting things happening with your presently?

Well, I just finished a book cover for Elaine, which was very exciting! Right now, i'm really just trying to get my business out there.


6. In the process of developing a bookcover, what steps get you to the final product?

The first step is getting to know the author and what they are looking for in their book cover. I want it to be what they want.

Secondly, Brain storming! I think up ideas, and sketch them out on paper. Once I have some ideas laid out, I get to shooting. The best part about what I do, is that I do both photography and graphic design. Which makes it easier to get exactly what I'm looking for. After I get the shots I need, I start putting them together on the computer. After creating about 20 different book covers, I run them by the author, get some feedback. Then I alter the covers based on the feedback and there is the final product.


7. Your commercial photos on your website are striking. What kinds of photography work do you enjoy doing most?

I really enjoy commercial photography. It's a great challenge to create something intriguing and eye catching out of one simple product. I also love portrait photography. I like capturing someone's personality in their photos, and seeing their reaction when I show them the pictures. It brings a smile to my face.


8. Wedding photos can make or break the event's memories. Do you find those assignments stressful or fun?

Wedding photography is both stressful and fun. The most stressful part of the job, is knowing that this is a one day thing. As long as you're confident in what the bride and groom want, and in your photography skill, it's easy to overlook the stress.


9. What would be your dream job?
My dream job is owning my own Photography and Design business. Where I have the opportunity to combine my skills in both photography and design, and create a work of art.


10. What was the last song you sang at the top of your voice in your car?

I can't even remember. It seems like I never stop singing. It's normally just a mixed melody in my head that I can't get out.

Reformatting Myself, Too!

This week I have been working on getting "The Eyes of a Stranger" reformatted for both e books and printing. I had no idea the scope of the task.
I know just enough about computer work to get into it ok, but I can get bogged down really quick. I was blessed to have a link to a free e book that told me how to reformat my manuscript for smashwords. (You can go to their site and find it and copy it off your printer if you need it.)

Anyway, the document was 86 or 89 pages long. It takes you step by step through the process. Patience is the key. Hyperventilating is not recommended.

The first task of getting the manuscript cleaned up so that it can be used by all venues is to remove all previous formatting. I had to take off the spell check, the fancy fonts, hard returns, tabs, and anything else that my computer, in it's fancy version of Office Word, put in the document to make it look pretty.

Like I said, I know enough to get myself into trouble. I did a lot of work on the document and then I couldn't find the buttons I was supposed to push to get everything really 'clean'. After a few hours of working on this, I decided to drive to town and visit my sister. I needed to get away from the computer.

On the way to town I prayed. "Lord, open my eyes to see where those options are on my computer." I was able to have a nice visit with Geraldine and then I went home and took up the laptop to continue.

Miraculously, to me it was a miracle, after looking at the downloaded paper one more time, I saw the correct symbols and buttons on the top of the page that I was supposed to select . After that, even though it took me several more hours, the process worked.

I have to say here that smashwords does have a list of people that you can choose from for you to hire to reformat. I wanted to learn how to do it myself because I have a bunch more books that need to be published in the future.

In reading the instructions, the writer said that all of these things had to be stripped away so that smashwords can take a 'clean' file and put it through it's processes to format the manuscript into a dozen or more e reader formats so that the book can be used by all e readers. The book can go everywhere and be used by many more people!!!

Today, I was thinking about what that process was like. I seem to apply stuff to myself spiritually all the time.

When I come to Jesus to visit with Him, He doesn't want me to come with all my "fancy formatting" that I have done to myself.

All my 'self-righteousness' is like filthy rags to Him. When I thought about this, I cried out to God and asked Him to strip away all the 'goofy junk' I had added to myself and to replace it with the things He did for me at Calvary.

The pure joy I feel is beyond words. There is nothing I can add to His Sacrifice. And...you know what? Now he can distribute me around the world with His message of love and forgiveness.

Isn't that like God? He uses imperfect people like me, an earthen vessel, to carry His treasure (the message of the gospel of Christ Jesus). It is beyond words.

Sanctuary

“Lord prepare me to be a Sanctuary,


Pure and holy,

Tried and true.

With thanksgiving, I’ll be a living

Sanctuary for You.”



I was singing this song with the congregation of my church during worship on Sunday morning. Most of the time when I sing this song, I think about my body being the temple of the Holy Spirit. This is Scriptural. I felt that there is more to this song than meets the eye so today, Monday, I got out the faithful dictionary and looked up the word ‘sanctuary’.



Sanctuary- a holy place, as a building set aside for worship. 2. A place of refuge or protection; asylum, shelter.



All right, what does this mean to me? I began to ask the Lord what this meant to me. I have rejoiced for many years that God, the one and only God, chooses to dwell in me. I am humbled by this observation. I enjoy sweet fellowship with the Lord as He honors me with His Presence.



I have come to realize that many people hunger for a place of refuge. They go here and there looking for peace and security. They meditate and try to find something within themselves to calm the storms brewing inside them. They look for a shelter and protection.



While Jesus is the Sanctuary, He has called us to be His hands extended. In this, we are to not only house the Lord in our heart, but to provide a safe place for those who are tossed about in the harshness of this present world. In being a peaceful, content, and sheltering person, we are examples of the love of God. We are not to set ourselves up as the answer. No, we are only a sample of what God can do with a life. If we are no different than the people who are unsettled and harassed by the world, why would they want what we have?



Letting Jesus portray Himself in our lives provides a safe place for those who are troubled to find the peace we have found in the Lord. We become a sanctuary filled with the Presence of God and showing people how they can also have the “peace that passes understanding”. Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” I thank God for this provision in our lives.



Elaine Littau, author of Christian historical/western books

Introducing, "The Eyes of a Stranger" by Elaine Littau

"The Eyes of a Stranger, Gertie's Grace" is getting closer to production. This week a very talented young graphic designer took my ideas and developed several options for a bookcover. I am definately going to use her again. Her name is Jonna Feavel. (Contact me via email if you want to get her to work for you.)


Here is the bookcover:

I will tell you a little about what "The Eyes of a Stranger" is about. Gertie is an eighteen-year-old girl who finds herself at the threshold of life. Rejected by her father and sent off to become a mail-order bride by her mother, she realizes that many options are open to her.

We met Gertie briefly in "Luke's Legacy" when she helped her fellow traveler, Sheriff Roy Miller, on the train in his care for baby Rose.

After finishing "Luke's Legacy", I couldn't get Gertie out of my mind. The story she shared with the sheriff begged to be built upon. It has been a pleasure to bring this character to life. I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did when I wrote it. It has the feel of "Nan's Journey", plus a little mystery.

Now, I would like to introduce you to Terri Burnell. She writes wonderful children's books.
1. What is your name and the title of your book(s)?

Terri Burnell



Garden of Eden

2. What is one thing you think your readers would like to know about you?

My goal is to write children's Christian books that spark a child's imagination while teaching them historical, cultural, and scriptural facts.

3. When did you know that you wanted to become a writer?
About three years ago, my son Andrew loved to read The Magic Tree House books. At that time, Andrew was 8 years old. After reading one of the Magic Tree House books with Andrew, I realized the reason children love these stories so much is because they are taken to a magical place where they can experience the adventures first hand. It gave me the idea to write a book based on a biblical story in which the main characters could actually go back in time to experience what it would be like to have lived at that time.
4. What are your hobbies?
I enjoy scrapbooking, playing games with my family, line dancing, and attempting to sing Karaoke.
5. Are you a reader
Yes, but much more now than in my younger years. I love to read Christian inspirational books.
6. What are you reading right now?
Heaven is for Real by Todd Burpo and the "Answers" magazine.
7. Do you have another book that you are working on and hasn't been submitted for publication? Tell about it.
Yes, I'm working on my second book titled Joseph, The Loyal Servant. This book takes place in ancient Egypt about 1725BC. The children go back in time to experience what it was like to travel in a camel caravan across the desert, learn the culture and customs of ancient Egyptian life, and witness Joseph being sold into slavery, and then later, through his faithfulness to God, see how Joseph is restored and uplifted to be the second in command over all of Egypt.
8. What are your biggest obstacles to writing and how do you overcome them?
My goal is to be as accurate as possible with scientific, historical, and biblical facts. I need to accumulate a lot of data to be accurate. Sometimes the resources may not be in agreement concerning certain details. As always, the Bible is first and foremost my most valuable, infallible resource. When other online sources or reference books don't agree, I continue to search for more resources to obtain the most accurate information possible. This can be time consuming, but necessary.
For the book I'm writing now, Joseph, The Loyal Servant, I've needed to research more materials to obtain the historical and cultural data. For Garden of Eden, my only two resources were the Holy Bible and my own imagination. At times, I get writer's block. When this occurs I usually just stop writing and come back to it another time.
Before writing, I pray that God will give me guidance, and that my story will bring honor to Him.
9. Please put a description of each of your books here. (back matter is ok)
Garden of Eden is a delightful story that will open a child's mind to explore the amazing possibilities of God's truth. Beth, an angel of God, takes brother and sister, Andrew and Shelby, back to the Garden of Eden to experience firsthand the new earth just ten days after creation.

Garden of Eden brings this well-known Bible story to life through imagination. Join the adventure as Andrew and Shelby make friends with the animals, explore the wonders of the garden, and discover the plan God has for all of his children. Along the way they will learn valuable lessons that can be carried with them, even after returning home.
10. How can readers contact you or purchase your books? Please put your website or blog here.
My personal email is: mag440ptas@peoplepc.com and the book website is: http://www.gardenofedenbookseries.com/
As you know, I gave away a Kindle on April 1st. The winner was Melissa Kidd from IL. Congratulations Melissa.

The author's group I belong to got a few of us together to give away another Kindle on May 15, 2011 so it is not too late to get in on the drawing. To get in on it you have a choice to either set up an event for me or purchase 1 or more of my books. It counts if you want to pre-order "The Eyes of a Stranger" for $9 including s/h.
Last week I shared some exciting news. Book #5 - The Eyes of a Stranger (formerly known as Gertie's Grace) will be coming out this spring/summer.

#4 - Timothy's Home will be a few months later. It is #4 because it is in the Nan's Heritage Series. #5 is loosely conected with the story line. If you would like a sample of a rough draft of The Eyes of a Stranger, go to my website by clicking here to take a look at the first few chapters.