Daily Inspiration: Meet Jen Thompson

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jen Thompson

Hi Jen, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Absolutely! I have always loved writing and reading and all things related to books. When I was little and they would ask at school what I wanted to be when I grew up, the answer was always the same – an artist and an author. When I was in fourth and fifth grade, one student was selected from each class to attend something called the Young Authors convention. I remember working so hard on my book each year and hoping and praying and wishing mine would be chosen. To my amazement and joy, my book was chosen – both years! Attending Young Authors in fourth and fifth grade made what felt like an impossible dream seem like it may actually be able to happen one day. I remember sitting in the audience, watching the authors and illustrators tell their stories. I remember thinking, “One day, that will be me.” I didn’t know how it would happen, but I was determined that one day – it would.

Fast forward many, many, many years later….I was a stay-at-home mom with four young children and a large stack of journals who decided to dabble in the blogging community. I started a blog, but it was more of a public journal than anything else. I didn’t think anything would come of it and even though the dream was still lying dormant in my heart – I didn’t see how becoming an author could ever really happen.

When I turned 37, I decided it was time to take my writing a bit more seriously. I started a new blog, titled Truly Yours, Jen. I wanted my blog to be vulnerable and real and heartfelt. I wanted it to feel comforting, like reading a letter from a friend. I declared on my 37th Birthday that by the time I was 40, I would be a published writer – in some capacity. It was time for this dream that had been in my heart for so long to become. a reality.

I began my Truly Yours, Jen social accounts and one day, when I was talking to a mom at the preschool playdate, I spoke my dream out loud. I told her I was going to be a writer some day. Little did I know, she was a writer herself. She connected me to her editor with Midwest Parenting Publications – and my dream slowly, but surely began to unfold before me. I wrote for their print and online publications and then began writing for online websites, such as Her View From Home, Love What Matters and Scary Mommy. I took a leap of faith and put together a nonfiction book proposal, signed with my agent, Kristy Cambron at Gardner Literary and then secured a contract for my first book through Waterbrook & Multnomah (an imprint of Penguin Random House). My book is titled, Return to Jesus: An Invitation to Abide with Him in Every Beautiful, Stressful or Tedious Moment, and will hit the shelves on April 15 of this year. I also have stories published in the books So God Made a Mother and So God Made a Grandma, and a devotional coloring book, Grace in All Places, coming out this year as well.

So I am here to say- dreams do come true!

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No, it most definitely has not been a smooth road, but it has been a rewarding one – for sure. Part of being a writer is facing rejection. I have had numerous stories rejected. My proposal was rejected time and time again when I was searching for an agent and my first idea for a book was rejected by the publishers.

I will say, these rejections weren’t easy and there were times when I doubted myself, but now, on the other side, I can see how they were necessary for growth – and for the right yes to come my way at the right time.

One of my favorite rejection stories is about signing with my agency. So, I had prayed long and hard and felt very strongly that Gardner Literary Agency was a perfect fit. Even as rejection after rejection would land in my inbox, I thought – that’s okay – this is the one that is meant for me. And then, one day, I opened my inbox to find a rejection from Gardner. I was crushed. How could it be? I kept moving forward, but felt a deep sadness like none other I had felt with the rejections received. And then, one day, when I was out on a run, I felt a peace wash over me. It was like God was saying, I”m not finished with this yet. I brushed it off. It didn’t make sense. I had already received a rejection. It didn’t make sense, but the peace remained. As soon as I stopped that run, I looked down on my phone and saw I had an email from Rachelle Gardner. It simply said, “Are you still seeking representation?” I couldn’t believe it! I think I may have just replied with, “Yes!” Without going into too much detail, the door I thought was closed forever was reopened and a couple months later, I signed with my agent, Kristy Cambron, at Gardner Literary. It was an answer to prayer and working with Kristy has truly been a dream come true.

Waiting isn’t easy. Rejection isn’t easy. But it is a part of what I do. And as painful as it may be, I can see that a lot of growth does take place in that difficult space. And usually, great things do lie waiting on the other side. As I said before, my first book was rejected, but I can now see what was hard to see then – that this book that was accepted – is really the one I was meant to write all along.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am an author, blogger, podcaster and speaker with a heart for sharing the vulnerable pieces of my story with others. Life is hard and life is messy, but in this world of social media feeds and Pinterest boards, it can be easy to feel like everyone has it all together – but you are somehow lacking. Your house isn’t nice enough. Your kids aren’t well mannered enough. There isn’t enough money in the bank. Your vacations aren’t quite up to par. The scrolling starts, and the feelings of not being enough sink in. Suddenly, it feels like everyone else is better – and you wonder if you will ever measure up.

But here’s the thing – and here is a big reason I do what I do – that is the furthest thing from true. Even the most put together of people have their real hard days. If we were behind the scenes, we would catch a glimpse of how many shots it took to get that one perfect image we see, and how many filters and edits may have been applied to make it just so. I want others to know they aren’t alone. I am a wife and mom with a strong faith and a lot of passion and I want people to know there is enough grace to cover it all. Every single bit of our messy, imperfect, tear-stained and joy-filled lives. I want to share my faith and my heart in a way that is non-biased, grace-filled, loving and welcoming for all. I want people to know they are loved as is and that nothing can ever change that love that God has for them.

I write on my Truly Yours, Jen social accounts daily and have monthly columns in Indy’s Child and Southwest Ohio Parenting Magazines. I am most proud to have my words in books. It is a dream come true. It is an honor and a joy. It is still hard for me to believe my book comes out this year. I have poured my heart into this book. It contains many personal stories, some that weren’t necessarily easy to share – but again = that’s my heart. I want to share the hard parts of life. And I am so very excited that this book will be on the shelves soon. EEEK!

If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
I feel like authenticity, prayer, faith, hope, determination and the drive to keep moving forward – even when the doors were closed – have all been very important for my success. I know not everyone is going to like me, and that’s okay. I know my words won’t be for everyone, and that’s okay. I just pray they land on the hearts of those who need them most. I may run into obstacles and I may have doors close that I wish would have stayed open, but I won’t give up. I will keep moving forward in faith – trusting that when the time is right – the right door will open. And when it does, I will be ready to walk through.

Pricing:

• My book is available online now and will be available in stores on April 15 of this year.

Contact Info:

• Website: ‘Author Page – www.jenthompsonauthor.com and Blog – www.trulyyoursjen.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trulyyoursjen/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/trulyyoursjen
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trulyyoursjen/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ReturntoJesusPodcast1
• Other: https://jenniferthompson0913.podbean.com
• Other: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/747877/return-to-jesus-by-jen-thompson/