An Interview with Alene Snodgrass - Author of Graffiti

For the past several weeks I've had the privilege of taking a writing course, Tribe Writers, taught by Jeff Goins. Not only have I learned a lot, but I've also been blessed to meet some fantastic people! Today I have the pleasure of introducing you to my new friend, Alene Snodgrass. So grab your favorite beverage and enjoy reading about this amazing lady!

Maria: Welcome to Life Lessons, Alene! Tell us a bit about yourself:

Alene: I grew up in south Texas, married a military man, traveled the world for 23 years, had three children, and then ended up back in south Texas. I went from a country girl to a suburban girl. I love my camera. There are days when I could live behind the lens just capturing life. There is nothing like a photo that takes your breath away with a story.

Maria: How did you get started as a writer?

Alene: I began writing in 2007 at the prompting of friends. It was a struggle for me, because all I could remember was cheating my way through English in college and all those red F’s. But I took baby steps and followed the dream that was being birthed within my soul.

Maria: I'm glad you pursued your dream! How has your relationship with Jesus Christ impacted your writing?

Alene: My writing has only came about because of the love I have for Jesus. When the nudging became so strong to write and I knew in my own weakness I couldn't, there were years that I put off writing. It wasn't until I was convicted that delaying my obedience was being disobedient. I became diligent in writing at that point and published my first study Dirty LaundrySecrets.

Maria: Give us a sneak peek into your eBook, Graffiti: scribbles from different sides of the street:

Alene: Graffiti is dear to my heart. Three years ago I left my nice, fancy church to begin serving at a church in the inner city. I had been there for a few months when I met Rick, a homeless man. We became great friends and we both loved to write. Our friendship grew as we began sharing writings and the stories of our lives. I learned so much from Rick. The most important thing being that it doesn't matter that we think we don’t have much in common with those that are “different” and from “the other side of the street," we are more alike than we know. It’s a beautiful story and one that is told in Graffiti.

Maria: It's amazing what God teaches us when we follow Him in obedience! What do you hope readers glean from your book?

Alene: I believe in this message so much. I think most of us living in America live lives too comfortably. We get caught up in our daily routines and schedules, while missing so many in need around us. It doesn't have to be the homeless; it can be your neighbor across the street that needs a hand. This book challenges us all to live in the moment, keep our eyes open to those we can help, and then step out of our comfort zones to help meet their needs.

Maria: Challenging stuff! What steps can we take to step outside our comfort zones?

Alene: For each of us it will be different. I used to think I had to be a missionary in a foreign land, but that is not what Christ actually teaches. He says start in your own neighborhoods and streets - see those who you can serve and then do so. Yes, the homeless need help. But so do our neighbors across the street, children in our children’s classrooms, single moms, and sometimes even the elderly or disabled in the grocery store. Needs are everywhere. We have to slow ourselves down and peek out from behind our comfortable zones to see.

Maria: You're absolutely right, Alene! What words of wisdom would you like to leave with our readers?

Alene: Many I often visit with are looking for meaning and purpose in their life. They are looking to gain significance through material things, more money, and even a title at work. They seek and search for more and more. But the odd thing about our purpose is that it will show up when we get our eyes off ourselves and begin serving others. I know we've been taught to chase the American dream for fulfillment, but really it is in helping others that our true purpose is found. 

Maria: Thanks for those words of truth! It's been a pleasure interviewing you and getting the message out about your new eBook, Graffiti! I look forward to hearing how God uses it to impact the lives of those who read it! God bless you!

Connect with Alene:

alenesnodgrass@gmail.com

www.alenesnodgrass.com

www.graffitithebook.com

Great news! November 26th - 30th, Alene is giving away over $75.00 worth of resources FREE to anyone who buys Graffiti. If you buy the book this week, she'll send you nine resources as a gift. Here's all you need to do:

1. Buy the book for $3.99 BEFORE November 30th.

2. Email a copy of your receipt to graffitibookgifts@gmail.com When you buy it, just forward the Amazon email receipt you get. Do not submit questions there. If you have a question, email alenesnodgrass@gmail.com.

3. Check your email and enjoy your resources!

*Alene Snodgrass is an energetic and motivational  Christian speaker, Bible teacher, and author. Her relevant messages and Bible studies have created drastic changes in the lives of people, as well as helped many step out to serve the broken, abused, and downhearted in their communities. She is the author of Dirty Laundry Secrets - a journey to meet the Launderer, and I'm a Fixer-Upper - a day-by-day remodeling guide. 

Alene has been published in numerous books, online publications and writes regularly for WHOA Magazine. She serves as the Bible Studies director at Bay Area Fellowship Westside Campus in Corpus Christi, Texas - a church that ministers in the inner city.

*I'm hosting over at Living by Grace today. Are you ready to take a step outside your comfort zone? Come join in the discussion!

Interview with Writer & Editor Jennifer Slattery

I had the privilege of meeting Jennifer Slattery a couple years ago. We didn't have the opportunity to sit down and chat. No, we met via the internet. Jennifer was collaborating with some other great gals (Jessica R. Patch, Joanne Sher, and Patty Wysong) to host a Facebook page/community that came to be known as Living by Grace: a fantastic place to engage with readers while sharing insights from God's Word. I was honored to join them in that endeavor.

Time flies. I figured it was high time to track down this multi-talented writer and editor and find out what she's up to these days. Join me in welcoming Jennifer!

Maria: Welcome to Life Lessons, Jennifer! Tell us a bit about yourself:

Jennifer: I’ve been married to my best friend and a man I adore for seventeen years, and we have a fifteen-year-old daughter. My favorite pastime of late has been going on leisurely walks with either or both of them. I especially love those times with our daughter as it allows me to catch glimpses into her heart. I’ve enjoyed every stage of parenting, but this one might be my favorite yet.

Maria: Ah, family is SO important! Between managing your business (Words That Keep), and taking care of your family, when do you find time to write?

Jennifer: I love to write. It’s how I process, and it invigorates me, therefore, most of the time, it sort of just flows. (We always find time for those things we love, don’t we?) But I don’t watch TV except maybe a few times a month, so I think that helps. And I tend to break my day into chunks so that I can make the most of each moment—writing when my daughter is at school and the house is quiet, editing when she and my husband are watching TV. Cleaning when I need a mental break.

   

Maria: I totally understand. Kudos to you for trading TV time for editing time! How has your relationship with Jesus Christ impacted your writing?

Jennifer: Jesus is the reason I began writing in the first place. I started writing for a church I belonged to 13 or so years ago—newsletters, curriculum, dramas. Then one day I realized, “Hey, I like this!” So I started dabbling in storytelling just for fun. Then, I felt God’s call. Or I should say, He confirmed it, although I fought Him initially. It’s one thing to write for fun—when you have time. It’s another to center your day around that—to embrace it full force. And frankly, I wanted to do something that would earn a steady paycheck. That wasn't so hard, so unpredictable. But He kept calling, and after a period of rebellion, I surrendered.

 

Maria: I'm glad you followed the Lord's call! What do you hope readers glean from your writing? 

Jennifer: God’s grace poured in and through our broken lives. I hope those who don’t know Jesus will sense His deep, incomprehensible love for them. I hope that those who do know Him will be drawn closer and into deeper surrender.

Maria: Excellent! Any books on the horizon?

Jennifer: Great question! And one I hope to have an answer to soon. J I have several projects in various stages of review with different publishers, and I’m in the critiquing/editing stage with another project and have a few ideas for nonfiction books I’d like to dive into, when I can.

   

Maria: Fantastic! Please keep us posted! Let's talk about your business. What services do you offer?

Jennifer: Mostly I do line-edits and big-picture reads called betas. I love helping writers strengthen their stories by showing them places they can eliminate unnecessary words/phrases, increase tension, improve characterization, show their reader rather than telling them about a situation/emotion/character, that sort of thing. I also provide marketing coaching and have helped many with press releases.

Maria: Sounds like your business allows you to wear many hats. Share a lesson you've learned through Words That Keep:

Jennifer: God manages the business for me. When my schedule allows and finances require more work, suddenly clients begin contacting me again. I've learned to trust in His timing. Well, I’m learning to trust in His timing. I have a tendency to barge ahead or veer right or left on occasion, but thankfully, our ever-patient Savior always nudges me back on track.

Maria: Thanks for your transparency! Share a little-known fact about yourself:

Jennifer: I once swam in a lake where authorities found a dead body. The month before I swam in it. And no, I didn't know at the time. Ugh!

Maria: I have to echo you, "Ugh!" On a more pleasant note, what words of wisdom would you like to leave with our readers?

Jennifer: Trust God in every stage—even the quiet or seemingly non-productive stages. Grab hold of and cherish each moment. He has a loving and faithful purpose in every one!

Maria: Awesome advice Jennifer! Thanks again for joining us today!

Connect with Jennifer:

www.wordsthatkeep.wordpress.com

www.jenniferslatterylivesoutloud.com

www.twitter.com/Jenslattery

An Interview with Artist & Writer, Mary Barton Nees

Last month I had the opportunity to attend the Getaway-To-Write retreat in the beautiful mountains of North Carolina. In addition to having plenty of time to write, it provided a wonderful opportunity to meet some talented ladies. Today I have the wonderful privilege of introducing you to one of them. Join me in welcoming multi-talented artist and writer - Mary Barton Nees.

   

Maria: Thanks for joining us today, Mary. Tell us a bit about yourself: 

Mary: Thanks for this opportunity Maria! The most significant impetus in my life happened in 1970, I became a Christian when I bowed my head with a friend in my college dorm. I took Jesus at His word as the only One who ever claimed to be the way, the truth and the life.  It really all started then. A close friend had been killed near me the summer before, and I could not shake my need for truth over ultimate issues. No one (and I asked everyone I knew, including professors) had answers for the questions that drove me since that death. Jesus did not just say He knew a way, He said He alone was the way. Only His words got deep into my core: working, softening, and re-setting broken places. I know first hand the supernatural power of the Word on a prideful, calloused heart.  I sure did not want religion, but somehow, Jesus wanted me. 

These were radical years. Our campus was taken over and shut down by activists both my freshman and sophomore years. I was interested in those issues and listened to all the speeches, but at the same time my heart was awakening. I became then convinced that unless Jesus is allowed into someone’s life as Savior, all our own saving attempts will be dangerously flawed. Jesus was the true radical who changed me from within. 

I met my husband during those years and together we committed our lives to discipling other men and women wherever the risen Jesus would take us. After my husband’s theological training, we served two churches: one in New York and then one outside Philadelphia. This was all-encompassing work; this is where we grew up ourselves.  We also raised four great kids and shepherded them through all the tests of believing, and still believing in cultures that seemed not to care about God. Our favorite getaways were in the woods and on canoe trips in the Minnesota wilderness. I would always pack my watercolors for those golden days of respite.

Maria: Your background is fascinating. Especially love your statement, "Jesus was the true radical who changed me from within." Sounds like He has certainly set the stage for the work you’re currently involved in - tell us about it:

Mary: In 2003 we moved from the Northeast of the United States to North East Tennessee. The reason for the big shift was an opportunity for my husband to specialize in a larger church, being one on a staff of many. He now gets to work exclusively where his heart beats: equipping others to get involved in God’s heart for the world before our opportunity to do this as Westerners closes. We also both work for an organization that facilitates seminary level training in restricted-access nations.  At the same time, this move afforded my going back to school to gain my Master of Fine Arts degree at a local university. I have worked on the adjunct staff of this Art department, when not traveling with my husband.

Maria: You're a multi-talented lady! I know you’ve also recently completed a work of non-fiction. Give us a sneak peek into your debut book:

Mary: This past year I have spent many hours developing what I hope is a provocative primer into the core Biblical themes that repeat and progress from Genesis to Revelation. The book is only 7 chapters (with 3 appendixes) and is intended to catch the attention of people like I was before Jesus. I know there are plenty of hurting, searching folks out there; they are on my mind a lot. They are my friends. I would hope this book could be a tool to get them meaningfully into just a few key passages which can open up their heads and their hearts. That’s the idea; but whether it ever takes off besides just with my friends, I have no idea. I have over 20 queries out on this project and so far have 9 rejections.

Maria: I know rejections are part of a writer's life. I also know God has a plan for this book you've written! What do you hope your readers glean from your book?

Mary: I think like an artist, big picture themes and patterns fascinate me, and when it is Scripture: these themes are life changing. My hope would be that through looking directly at the pivotal words from the “mother of all living” that some hearts could be caught with hope. Eve models a prototype in Genesis 4 that repeats throughout the book: hope is found only by humbling ourselves before the Maker who (Himself humbly) awaits us. And this is just the beginning. The chapters move into other key patterns: the mystery of prayer, the first use of the concept of grace, the purpose of prophecy and then the unique claims of Jesus in time. Ultimately we all have a choice with these things. It’s important therefore to at least consider what is available to know about God from Scripture, before our time here is done. If we ignore the continuing echoes of the Creator, I am afraid we have already made our choice.

Maria: Sobering thoughts. I'd love to read your book. Changing gears just a little, I happen to know you are also a very talented artist. When did you begin painting? Is your artwork for sale?

Mary: I have been interested in art from earliest ages. I grew up going to the Art Institute of Chicago and remember being marked by Monet’s haystacks: right in front of me were these piles of straw that were aflame! To me, art is symbolic language that can get behind defenses and speak. That in fact is the very purpose of this mysterious thing we call beauty. Psalm 19 says that the Creator is “talking without words” through what He has made, to those who will look and listen. But in my younger years, I never imagined being a practicing artist. I went to undergraduate school to study design and environmental analysis at Cornell University. My goal was to use art effectively, practically in culture.  I worked as a product designer after college, and then a graphic artist. Later in Philadelphia I took some wonderful painting classes and learned printmaking at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. What moves me is finding ways for art to influence, to talk beyond and before words. That is a huge aspiration, I am still eager to get there!

Yes my artwork is for sale. I don’t put prices on my website purposefully because I do hope the work talks first before prices distract.  Maybe that’s silly and I am making it hard for people to buy? If someone’s really interested, they can read about me, and email me. I am preparing work now for two local shows. www.marynees.com

Maria: Thank you for sharing pictures of some of your work with us. It's beautiful! How has your relationship with Jesus Christ impacted both your writing and artwork?

Mary: Hopefully I have answered this, but happy to say more. He is the core of what motivates me. Even before I knew His name, He was motivating and moving me. I am convinced therefore that there are others out there, who don’t look at all like they are interested in spiritual things, but whose hearts are asking very weighty questions.

Maria: So true! Share one lesson you’ve learned on your journey as an artist and writer:

Mary: I am simply following. I am exercising the equipment I already have and moving forward with it, as an expression of Him. This sounds easy, but sometimes it is the hardest fight. I doubt my ability, I argue with the time I think I have, I get pulled by many other good things on my schedule. My pride gets me all tangled up. It has taken me a long time to even come to grips with the crazy idea that doing artwork is somehow important Kingdom work. When I see how the Creator values and uses beauty, however, I am moved again to pattern after Him. Even today, I fought getting my stuff in the car and drove out to a knob on a hill to set up my easel.  As soon as I got there, the windows of my heart opened up and I relaxed. I no longer do artwork to produce a result, I work to follow Him and this is freeing me. Maybe that will soon show up in my work.

Maria: I think it already does! What words of wisdom would you like to leave with our readers? 

Mary: Here’s something really beautiful I just found in a Puritan prayer, unfortunately the book I found this in, “The Valley of Vision” does not attribute authors: The words just melt me:

GOD ENJOYED
Thou incomprehensible but prayer hearing God,
Known, but beyond knowledge, revealed but unrevealed,
my wants and welfare draw me to Thee, for Thou hast never said “seek me in vain.”

Maria: What a beautiful prayer to meditate on today! Thank you so much for sharing your talents and your heart with us, Mary. God richly bless you as you continue your heartfelt pursuit of the Savior. 

Connect with Mary:

mbn7@comcast.net

www.marynees.com