Jill Kemerer
To win a copy
of Jill's new release:
Small Town Bachelor
of Jill's new release:
Small Town Bachelor
Scroll to the end of the post
to see how to get your copy.
to see how to get your copy.
Mary here. Jill is a sweet friend of mine. I visited her at her house back when she was waiting for a proposal to be accepted. The days flew by for me before she announced her debut release...but for her? Well, I'll let Jill tell you the story.
I asked Jill to join us and share how God has led her on her writing journey. Here is what she said:
God Whispered, "But I Like Your Writing"
When I started trying to get
published, my journey was all about me. I worked hard, poured stories onto my
computer, studied how to submit novels and ate up every piece of writing advice
I could find. My prayers tended to revolve around “Please let me get published
quickly.”
A nagging sensation nibbled as I
waited to hear back from the editor who requested a proposal of my first book.
I’d been reading blogs where authors shared that it had taken them years to get
published. What if that happened to me?
Fast forward through two form
rejections. I entered a writing contest with my third book and, no, I didn’t
final. The judges’ comments were very hard to read. That night, I crawled up to
my bedroom, dropped to my knees and sobbed.
I totally understand, Jill. I've been here so many times.
Why
did I ever think I was talented enough to be a published writer? I was clearly
delusional, awful, at a preschool level.
I felt broken, and I cried, long
and hard.
Still on my knees, I started
praying. I asked God why I had this burning desire to write. I begged for Him
to guide me. Maybe I wasn’t meant to be a writer. Maybe I should quit. No one
liked my writing, anyway.
And I heard it—a whisper—“But I
like your writing.”
After that night, I stopped
concentrating on getting published quickly and started praying for God to help
me become a good writer. I grew humble. I continued studying the writing craft.
I prayed daily about my writing. And it took five more years and many, many
more rejections before I finally got the call.
The two years before selling my
first book were depressing and discouraging in ways I couldn’t anticipate, but
God got me through them. It’s pretty cool when you can get a devastating
rejection and smile because you know God approves your work, even if no one
else does. I would never have continued writing without Him.
The best part of my writing
journey? It forces me to rely on God, to get closer to Him, to depend on Him. I’m
so thankful for all those rejections. I truly know I write for God.
Are
you waiting for your dream to come true? Keep praying!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 |
| Jill's mom threw a launch party. What an amazing Mom! |
Jill Kemerer writes inspirational romance novels with love, humor and faith. A full time writer and homemaker, she relies on coffee and chocolate to keep up with her kids’ busy schedules.
Besides
spoiling her mini-dachshund, Jill adores magazines, M&MS, fluffy animals
and long nature walks. She resides in Ohio with her husband and two
children.
Jill loves connecting
with readers, so please visit her website www.jillkemerer.com
and find her on Facebook
and Twitter.
Small-Town Bachelor ~
A Place to Call Home
When Reed Hamilton arrives in Lake Endwell for a
family wedding, he expects to do his part as best man then head back to the big
city. But when a tornado postpones the wedding, the town is in shambles and
Reed is injured. Thankfully maid of honor Claire Sheffield offers him one of
her cottages to recuperate in.
Dedicated to her family and her dream job at the
zoo, Claire is all about roots. She's this city slicker's opposite, yet as they
help the town rebuild, Reed is captivated by her stunning looks and caring
ways. He can't ask Claire to leave the life she loves for him, but he also
can't imagine ever leaving her behind…
Interested in buying Small-Town Bachelor? Click on http://jillkemerer.com/books/small-town-bachelor/
for links to purchase!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
To enter the contest for a copy of
Jill's new release:
"Small Town Bachelor"
leave a comment (and email address)
AND become a follower of this blog,
OR sign up to receive posts by email
if you aren't already.
Sorry, US only
The winner will be announced on my facebook page.
Thank you, Jill, for Joining us This Weekend!
We love chatting with you and are looking forward to reading your comments and questions. Or at least your hi, hello, hey, or ...
Thanks for stopping by!
Don't forget to comment!
Thank you, Mary, for hosting me today!! I still can't quite believe it's true--that I'm published! I've enjoyed getting to know you over the years. Who knows, maybe we'll be roomies again for another ACFW!! :)
ReplyDeleteThat would be better than awesome! Better bring earplugs. I sometimes snore.
DeleteI am the blessed one....walking in your footsteps and learning from you.
Haha!! I'm such a deep sleeper, I would never notice! :)
DeleteSmall-Town Bachelor sounds like an interesting read. redeemed1ru@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteHi, Ann!
DeleteThanks for joining us. I have to agree with you that Jill's book is the perfect romance for a read on the beach or by the fireplace on a chilly night. That and the perfect beverage, can't be beat!
Thank you so much, Ann!!
DeleteHi Jill and Mary! Thanks for sharing your journey to publication, Jill. Though I've heard it before in our phone calls and face-to-face visits, I always get so inspired re-hearing it. I LOVED reading Small-Town Bachelor and can't wait to read the next one in the series so I can reconnect with the wonderful community you've created in Lake Endwell.
ReplyDeleteWhat I especially like is knowing there will be more stories built on this community. Like so many classic stories that have introduced us to a community and captured our attention for many stories, this series is bound to become a part of our world.
Delete*waving* Hi Patrice!!! Thank you so much for all your encouragement!!
DeleteI like the plot Jill has for her characters. cll4him(AT)sbcglobal(DOT)net I am going to follow Mary's blog.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the follow!
DeleteI especially like the plot Jill has for her characters, too, because she is writing what she knows and has a heart for. She lives in an area that has had tornados, and know the small community feel. That is why her stories will be so genuine.
Thanks so much, Cecelia!!!
DeleteI love your story, because it demonstrates that when we give it over to God, wonderful things can happen. Thank you for sharing your story. Christina cjp1873(at)yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteHi, Christina, so nice to meet you.
DeleteI totally agree with you. the hard part is giving it over to God. Like a medicine, His ideas and plans are the best for us. I hope you are finding the same in your life and are reaping the joy. :)
Christina, it's so true. And I'm amazed at how God surprises us!
DeleteI love your story, because it demonstrates that when we give it over to God, wonderful things can happen. Thank you for sharing your story. Christina cjp1873(at)yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteMary, thank you again for having me today!!
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to continue our chat tomorrow :)
DeleteCongratulations Jill on the publication of your first book. I can only imagine the thrill when you received the acceptance letter and the absolute joy when you saw your name on the beautiful cover. Lake Endwell sounds like the perfect place to visit and hopefully, we will have the chance to return there many more times. Continue to write, to talk to God, and to believe in His perfect timing!
ReplyDeleteThank you Mary for another wonderful author's visit.
Connie
cps1950AtgmailDotcom
What encouraging words, Connie. Thank you for stopping by and leaving your sweet words. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Connie! Your kind words warmed my heart! Wouldn't it be nice if we COULD visit Lake Endwell? I would love that!! Thank you!!
ReplyDeleteHi Jill, I look forward to reading your debut novel. Your path is a special "call" story! All bright blessings!
ReplyDeleteGood morning!
DeleteWelcome. I totally agree with you about Jill having a special "call" story. Knowing her as a friend, I've seen God guiding her awesome journey.
Thanks so much for stopping by!
Loved this! I know what it's like to feel down in the dumps after a rejection, and to wonder if you're cut out for the business of writing. My publication journey hasn't been as easy as I thought it would be, but I am glad I realized that I'm writing to show God's love to others in whatever form I write. I know there are people I'm meant to touch through writing, and it will all happen in His timing. I love reading how you humbled yourself and really studied the craft instead of giving up on what God placed in you. Can't wait to read your debut!
ReplyDeleteGood morning!
DeleteI'm so glad you joined us today. Your comment is chock full of encouragement. I really appreciate your chatting with Jill and I. Sounds like you and I are in the same situation. Waiting for our moment. Let me know your progress. I'm cheering for you:)
This book looks fantastic! Thanks for the giveaway. I follow by e-mail. myfacebookemail23 at yahoo dot com
ReplyDeleteI would love to win this. jrs362 at hotmail dot com
ReplyDelete