Category: Guest blog

Author Interview with Jennifer Hallmark

Author Interview with Jennifer Hallmark

Very happy to have an author interview with Jennifer Hallmark because her latest book released Tuesday. It’s a serious change of pace for her. To read Jennifer’s previous guest post, click here.

Your first novel, Jessie’s Hope, is a clean romance. Your new release is YA speculative fiction. Why did you change genres?

Jennifer: I’ve enjoyed YA and middle-grade fiction for as long as I can remember. I read a wide variety of genres but have always been drawn to speculative fiction. Reed’s story in Smoking Flax started as a writing prompt short story challenge in our group: the Lawrence County Writers Guild. When I decided to turn it into a novel, I bogged down in the middle. And it was 2020. I called on writing coach and award-winning author, James L. Rubart for some coaching lessons. We really dug into who I was vs. what others wrote. My favorite books, movies, and television shows are all speculative so I thought I would take the leap into a new adventure.

What was your biggest challenge in changing genres? Your greatest reward?

Jennifer: My biggest challenge has been believing I could write in this imaginative genre. Time travel or what I call Southern time-shifting was difficult to explain in a way my readers could understand. Writing speculative stretched my imagination to its limit. The greatest reward has been hearing my Beta readers say they got the story and it made sense. I can’t tell you what a relief that was.

I know exactly what you mean. I have to write out a whole mystery novel before I can let anyone see it. If it doesn’t make sense, I’ve got a ton of work to do.

You’ve also made a big change in main characters. In Jessie’s Hope, the main character is a young woman about to be married. In Smoking Flax, the main character, Reed Anderson, is male and almost nineteen. Why the switch in genders? Did writing from a male POV bring extra obstacles?

Jennifer: For me, I don’t pick the main characters or their gender or even the time setting. I follow where the story leads. Smoking Flax begins in 1984, looks back to 1978, then forward to 1984. While Reed is nineteen in the beginning, a good majority of the reader’s time is spent looking back at his thirteenth summer. A coming-of-age story. I loved writing from a teenage point of view. I have six grandchildren; four are between 12 and 16. I asked them lots of questions and received advice from friends about what a young man would think, say, or act in given situations.

Both your books have southern settings. Why?

Jennifer: I’m Southern, through and through, living most of my life in Alabama. I love my culture and sharing it with others. I tried to dig past the cliches and misunderstandings people have about this great region and find the truth.

I think adding our backgrounds to our stories gives them unique spins.

What kind of world-building did you have to create for Smoking Flax?

Jennifer: I had to study Louisiana where part of the story takes place and talk to people about the region, weather, culture, etc. Alabama in 1978 is strongly set in my mind from my youth. The real difficulty was adding the speculative element so it would be genuine and fit. Adding speculative elements to a real place takes careful planning.

What was your greatest surprise while writing Smoking Flax?

Jennifer: Definitely the direction the story took after I accepted the challenge from James L. Rubart to see if the story could be speculative. I prayed and asked God to help me see it that way. Ideas flowed after that point and I actually dreamed the ending. I remember waking up and the feeling of surprise as I jotted down pages of notes.

That is an amazing way to receive inspiration!

What advice do you have for writers interested in writing either clean romance or speculative fiction?

Jennifer: Pray through. Instead of writing what is popular or expected, ask God what direction He wants your writing to take. It might just surprise you. And if you take the speculative road, be prepared to work. Smoking Flax has been the hardest writing I’ve ever done.

God does surprise us when He takes the lead. The mystery series I’m writing now came as a great surprise. And a great gift.

Now for some personal questions … which do you prefer? Tea or coffee?

Jennifer: At home, English Breakfast tea with honey. In town, vanilla lattes. 😊

I’m a tea person too. Where’s your favorite place to write?

Jennifer: Either in my study at the desk or in the recliner in the living room. 

What’s your favorite season?

Jennifer: Fall, hands down. I love the colors, football, fall festivals, and our church activities. Whenever we can, we drive to the Smokey Mountains in October or November and enjoy the beauty.

Thank you for stopping by and best wishes on Smoking Flax!

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Almost nineteen-year-old Read Anderson wants to belong in a world where he hasn’t always fit. Three days after graduation, he decides to ride a bus back to Louisiana and deals with the events of his thirteenth summer once and for all. Back then, he’d stood up to his abusive Pa, protecting Momma and his sister, taking control of his life. But who was the faded image of the child he saw that day? Aunt Lula predicted his life would shift and change. Something about space-time-continum and the fourth dimesion. He tucks her words in his heart. If he survives the shift, this could be his chance to start over. But the ghost child haunts his dreams. Even though six years have passed, does he want to confront the lies he’s always believed?

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Jennifer Hallmark writes Southern fiction with a twist. Her website and newsletter focus on her books, love of the South, and favorite fiction.  She loves reading and streaming science fiction, fantasy, and mysteries or her favorite subject—time travel.

Her latest novel, Smoking Flax, was released on January 16th with Elk Lake Publishing. She creates stories with unforgettable characters–her stories are a little eerie and otherworldly but with a positive turn. Connect with her at the sites below.

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Unleash Your Story: Join NaNoWriMo 2023

unleash your story: join NaNoWriMo 2023

It’s been awhile, but I’m glad to introduce a new author to you here at JPC Allen Writes. Angela D. Shelton writes YA dystopian novels and is here with her blog post. “Unleash Your Story: Join NaNoWriMo 2023.” Take it away, Angela!

November is here, and with it comes an electrifying opportunity for aspiring writers around the globe: National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) 2023. For those unfamiliar with it, NaNoWriMo is an annual, internet-based creative writing project that challenges participants to pen a 50,000-word manuscript in just 30 days. Yes, it’s a marathon of creativity, and the goal isn’t just to write; it’s to ignite your passion for storytelling.

If you’re sitting on the fence, wondering if this is for you, let’s dive into why NaNoWriMo could be your gateway to a newfound love for writing.

Unleash Your Creative Potential

NaNoWriMo is more than just writing; it’s about unleashing your potential. You have a unique voice and perspective that the world needs to hear. This event provides a structured yet liberating platform to explore your creativity. It’s not about perfection; it’s about progression. Let your imagination run wild!

Join a Supportive Community

Writing can be a solitary endeavor, but not during NaNoWriMo. You’ll be part of a vibrant, supportive community of fellow writers, all embarking on the same journey. This community offers encouragement, advice, and the kind of camaraderie that keeps you motivated.

Embrace a Challenge

NaNoWriMo pushes you out of your comfort zone. The challenge of writing 50,000 words in a month may seem daunting, but it’s incredibly fulfilling. You’ll be amazed at what you can accomplish with dedication and a bit of time management.

Discover Your Voice

As you write, you’ll discover your unique voice. NaNoWriMo encourages you to experiment with different styles and genres. It’s a time to explore and find what truly resonates with you as a writer.

Achieve a Tangible Goal

At the end of the month, you’ll have a manuscript. It’s a tangible achievement that serves as a testament to your commitment and creativity. Whether you choose to pursue publishing or keep it as a personal accomplishment, you’ve created something remarkable.

Rise of the Y by Angela D. Shelton

Rise of the Y

As you embark on your NaNoWriMo journey, let me introduce you to an inspiration: Rise of the Y. This young adult dystopian novel is a testament to the power of creativity and perseverance – the same qualities you’ll harness during NaNoWriMo.

Rise of the Y is set in a world where the unexpected has become the norm, and survival is a daily challenge. It’s a story of resilience, hope, and the indomitable human spirit. Vivid storytelling and richly crafted characters are sure to ignite your imagination and fuel your writing journey.

Summing it up

NaNoWriMo is an incredible opportunity to start your writing journey. It’s a chance to tell your story, join a community of like-minded individuals, and discover the joys of creative writing. And as you write, remember the world of Rise of the Y and how I brought my vision to life. It’s your time to shine, to write, and to rise!

So, what are you waiting for? Grab your laptop or pen, join the NaNoWriMo 2023 challenge, and start writing the story that only you can tell. Who knows, this time next year, we might be talking about your novel!

Thank you so much for your advice, Angela! If you would like to connect with her, please see the links in her bio below. To read more advice on NaNoWriMo, click here.

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Tales of Courage, Love, and Faith from the Cattle Fields to the Battlefields.

Angela D. Shelton, a recipient of the 2023 Christian Indie Awards in the young adult category, enjoys writing stories in both young adult and romance genres. When she’s not working in healthcare accounting, she’s busy with her husband, Tom, taking care of their small cattle ranch in Georgia.

Angela finds creative fuel in her day-to-day life, from working on the ranch to learning from Tom’s background in military and law enforcement. This comes to life in her series, Collapse, which follows a family in a small Georgia town learning to adapt and thrive when faced with global challenges.

Her latest project, The Y Chronicles series, takes readers on a journey through a dystopian Atlanta, Georgia. Angela’s writing, influenced by her own experiences and observations, aims to offer more than just a good story—it aims to create a world readers can truly lose themselves in. Whether tackling themes of resilience, romance, or rebellion, Angela hopes her stories touch the hearts of those who read them. Connect with Angela at her website, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Amazon, Goodreads, Boobkbub, TikTok, and YouTube.

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How to Weave Themes into Christian Fiction

How to Weave Themes into Christian Fiction

YA Christian author M. Liz Boyle is back to describe how to weave themes in Christian fiction. This is a critical skill for writers of Christian fiction. If we’re too subtle, readers don’t notice the theme. If we’re heavy-handed, it reads like a sermon with a few fictional characters. So glad to have Liz share her experience with this technique.

Writing Christian fiction has many merits and can be done in many ways. From fantasy and allegory to historical fiction that explores the lives of Biblical characters, Christian fiction comes in many forms. In the contemporary Christian fiction stories I write for young adults, I seek to honor God and Christ by including two main elements:

A Biblically-based theme that the characters learn

Whether it’s a specific verse, such as pressing toward the prize of the upward call of God, or a broader theme, such as the Golden Rule, I aim for my characters to be impacted with a theme which readers can glean too. A way that I include Biblical themes is to challenge my main character with the opposite of the theme she will learn. For instance, in my book Ablaze, the main character Marlee learns about forgiveness. She learns how to forgive when she endures a few situations that make forgiveness difficult. Meanwhile, a secondary character extends forgiveness to Marlee, which shows her how to forgive the characters who have hurt her. This journey really shapes who Marlee is by the end of the story, and readers who are also learning about forgiveness can relate to Marlee’s character arc. This leads into the second element I like to include in Christian fiction:

Characters whose faith is strengthened throughout the story

As a teen and now as an adult, I want to read about characters who are like me – already a Christian, but not perfect by any means. Salvation stories in which a character resists God’s call throughout the story and eventually chooses to become a Christian definitely have their place, but I also think there’s a need for stories that show how Christians live out their faith in the day-to-day. How do characters handle life’s stressors? How do characters change and grow over the course of the book? In fiction and in real life, our experiences help shape who we are. Hopefully in the course of our lives, our faith grows stronger. I like to reflect this in fictional characters. Similar to what I described in the first element, we can challenge the main character’s faith throughout the book to eventually strengthen her faith by the end of the story. For instance, if the main character is a believer, but her trust in God has been jaded by life’s harshness, I’ll have her go through trials and conversations that prompt her to keep clinging to and trusting God. My hope is that readers will be encouraged in their own faith when they see my characters press on in their Christian faith and eventually reap blessings.


Thank you for having me on your blog, JPC Allen! Writers, I hope you find these descriptions helpful as you write Christian fiction. What other pointers do you have? Readers, what are your favorite aspects of Christian fiction?   

To read more of Liz’s guest blogs, click here.

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off the itinerary

Adventurous teenager Marlee Stanley has a knack for finding herself in natural disasters with her sisters and the Miles boys. When their adventures take a turn for the worse, will Marlee cave under pressure, or will her faith in God be strong enough to guide her to safety? Check out the books on Amazon!

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M. Liz Boyle

Liz is the author of the Off the Itinerary series, the wife of a professional tree climber, and the homeschooling mom of three energetic and laundry-producing children. Liz once spent a summer in Colorado teaching rock climbing, which she believes was a fantastic way to make money and memories. She resides with her family in Wisconsin, where they enjoy hiking and rock climbing. Liz and her husband have also backpacked in Colorado and the Grand Canyon, which have provided inspiration for her writing. She makes adventurous stories to encourage others to find adventures and expand their comfort zones (though admittedly, she still needs lots of practice expanding her own comfort zone). Follow Liz on her website, Facebook, Instagram, GoodReads, and BookBub.

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Writing the Amateur Sleuth

Writing the amateur sleuth

So exciting to introduce a new author to you! The best thing about having guest bloggers is learning from them. I love how Sally Carpenter breaks down writing the amateur sleuth in cozy mysteries. So glad you’re here, Sally!

By nature, cozy mysteries involve an amateur sleuth, not a trained professional such as a private eye or police office. Why do cozy readers love such a sleuth? Perhaps they can readily identity with the protagonist and feel more involved in solving the crime with someone like themselves. Perhaps it’s because cozies place a strong emphasis on family, and it’s enjoyable to see the sleuth’s home life.

In my Sandy Fairfax cozy series, Sandy is a 39-year-old (he aged up in the latest book) former ‘70s teen idol restarting his career and reconnecting with his estranged family. Along the way he stumbles (sometimes literally) across bodies. What are the qualities that help him solve the crime?

Intelligence. Despite the way the press portrays teen idols as “cute faces,” they’re no dummies. During his career in the 1970s, on weekdays, Sandy learned lines and acted on a TV show. In the evenings he recorded albums. On weekends he traveled across the country to perform in live concerts. During the week he gave endless interviews, posed for photo shoots, took part in charity events, and tried to have a private life. A guy needed smarts and stamina for a schedule like that.

Some cozies have bumbling sleuths who solve a case through blind luck rather than detection. While such characters may be funny and likeable, it’s a cheat to the reader, and the constant fumbling gets stale over several books if the sleuth never wises up.  

Curiosity. Sandy wants answers to questions. He isn’t willing to let things drop. In my latest book, The Highland Havoc Caper, he and his son find a body inside a castle. But when they fetch help and return, the corpse is gone. Sandy’s told to go away and forget about it, but he’d determined to find out what happened.

Charisma. Teen idols have an appeal that pulls in the fans. Sandy turns on the charm when he’s interviewing a suspect. Since he has no police authority, he must reply on his personality to reach people. Some suspects will speak to Sandy simply because he’s a celebrity. 

Creativity. Since Sandy has no law enforcement powers, he must find clever—and legal—means to talk to people and search buildings. Any evidence he finds may not be admissible in court, so he must go the extra mile to build a case against the culprit.

Free time. Sandy isn’t tied down to a nine-to-five job. He has down time between gigs and rehearsals to snoop around. Many cozy sleuths are shop owners. Not only does this give them the opportunity to get the news through their customers, but they can have an employee mind the shop while they go tend to a case.

Access. Most of Sandy’s cases take place in the entertainment business. As a performer himself, he’s in close contact with his suspects, more so than the police. He knows how to connect with his fellow singers/actors. 

Attention to detail. At the end of each book, Sandy manages to take the bits and pieces and fit them together like a jigsaw puzzle. It’s a throwaway clue or a chance remark or a physical object found at the scene of the crime that unmasks the killer. Sandy’s good at paying attention and remembering facts.

A sense of justice. Sandy wants to see right prevail and the wicked punished. In the book The Quirky Quiz Show Caper, Sandy’s brother, Warren, is framed for murder. Even though the brothers are not on speaking terms, Sandy is determined to see that his brother’s name is cleared. 

All good amateur sleuths—as well as professionals—have these characteristics. And readers love characters with brains, guts and a sense of fair play.

For more information about me and my cozies, as well the opportunity to download two free stories, go to my website http://sandyfairfaxauthor.com.

For more advice on creating characters, click here.

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Former pop star Sandy Fairfax engages in a dangerous hobby—amateur sleuthing. At the Seaside Highland Games in California, he and his teenage son, Chip, discover more than their heritage. In a castle transported from Scotland, they find a body bludgeoned with a curling stone. But when they go for help, the corpse vanishes. Without a body or even a name, how will Sandy find the killer? As he and Cinnamon plan their wedding, more bodies pile up. A piper plummets from the castle tower and into the ocean. Another body is found behind a Scottish pub in L.A. And when Sandy takes a guest role on the Spook Spotters TV show, the worried dad must keep Chip safe from an amorous young actress. Whether you take the high road or the low road, can you solve the case before Sandy does? Buy the Kindle or the paperback.

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Sally Carpenter is a native Hoosier now living in Ventura County, California. She writes adult retro-cozy mysteries: The Sandy Fairfax Teen Idol series (six books) and the Psychedelic Spy series (two books). The Baffled Beatlemaniac Caperwas a 2012 Eureka! Award finalist for Best First Mystery Book. She has a M.A. in theater, a M.Div., and a black belt in tae kwon do. She’s currently working on a new science fiction/mystery series. Download free stories from her website.

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Mixing History and Fantasy, Part 2

Mixing History and Fantasy part 2

Here’s “Mixing History and Fantasy, Part 2” by guest blogger Betty Kulich. To read the first part of her blog, click her. Betty discusses how she combined the two genres for her novella, The Mask. Your turn, Betty!

As a Christian author, the connection to the supernatural needed a Biblical spiritual connection and not that of the usual supernatural, occult empowerment.  This took some prayer and meditation, asking God who was the first author (Hebrews 12:2) for some creative thoughts to direct my story line. The fruit of meditation and prayer brought thoughts of how slaves came to America from Africa. That could become my link for the travel from Africa to the South prior to the Civil War and the time of the Underground Railroad’s operation. But why was the Mask in Africa to begin with? This is where another Holy Spirit inspirational thought connecting Solomon and the Queen of Sheba whose origin some say was Ethiopian—an African nation. Researching many legends and speculations surrounding their story, I spun more ideas to create a romantic story that connected King Solomon, the Queen of Sheba, their romance, and marriage, to a supernatural mask given as a wedding present from Magi in the Middle East. A supernatural mask given to transform a woman into her God-given personality and destiny that always ended with true and perfect love as God intended. 

Now I needed a story thread to get the Mask from the Middle East to Africa and finally to the United States in the Civil War era. I linked the Mask through the Queen of Sheba’s son to generations of African tribal chieftains who passed the special mask through their first-born daughters. This would allow the Mask to travel down into multiple generations until one of those chieftain’s daughters would be kidnapped by slave traders for auction in America. Secreted in her clothing the mask traveled to America, but how would it get from the slave industry of the Southern states to Ohio, a free state, and a “station” on the Underground Railroad’s Ohio Literary Trail—the Rankin House? This became the next leg of the story.

Would the story end in that time period or continue traveling through later eras, even perhaps into the present? I wanted it to continue and connect to the House of Four Pillars, a trunk from its attic and discovery of that trunk years later, bridging the gap to the present. I wanted to keep the Mask moving to more women, who needed it’s help to find their true love.

The House of the Four Pillars would connect as another stop on the Underground Railroad as the slaves made their journey to freedom in Canada. The House of Four Pillars could allow a new fictitious character to inherit the Mask from the African tribal daughter who only had sons. The Mask would now begin to work in a new life bringing perfect love to a heart for a lifetime. Through my fictitious trunk, the Mask would await a new owner for over one hundred years before beginning to work again. I needed to create a way for the trunk to get into the hands of a modern-day family with a daughter who needed the Mask to transform her life. I did that through an auction to support the Ohio Historical Society. The auction would bring the trunk containing the Mask eventually to the present, transforming another woman’s life by the supernatural powers and bringing her to the destiny and true love God had planned for her.

The Mask, a novella, has many opportunities for new and intersecting stories of others in the linage of the mask. What about others who misused the mask and its powers?  What about women who inherited it and were too fearful to wear it? Many possibilities for the creation of other short novella spinoffs from The Mask await!

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Ohio Trail Mix

Ohio is full of literary connections. Libraries, museums, homes of authors, historical sites.Did you know Superman was born in Ohio?Did you know Harriet Beecher Stowe lived in the Cincinnati area?Check out the Ohio Literary Trail, compiled by Ohioana, for more interesting facts.

But before that, we invite you to enjoy some stories inspired by visits to a handful of Ohio Literary Trail sites in the last year. Your imagination might be sparked. Or at the very least, your curiosity!

“Mazza Mystery” by Bettie Boswell: Just who was the woman pretending to be a known artist? Why?

“Bovine” by JPC Allen: An elitist author comes to a backwater Ohio county, thinking he’s found the perfect setting for the perfect crime.

“Between Semicolons and Plot Twisters” by Rebecca Waters: An author finds more in common with Harriet Beecher Stowe than she ever would have guessed, when modern-day slavery comes close to home.

“The Mask” by Betty Kulich: A gift of true love is passed through the ages.


“Books: Caged and Free” by Michelle L. Levigne: On a moonlit night, old books come to life to share their stories.

BUY LINKS: Amazon, Goodreads, Ye Olde Dragons Books

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Betty Kulich

Betty Kulich is an ordained pastor and serves as an Associate Pastor with her husband Rick of 50 years at Redeemer’s Church, Columbus, Ohio. Betty is the Director of Women’s Ministry for Harvest Preparation International Ministries (HPIM) of Sarasota, Florida for Mexico and Central America. Winner of the 2021 CIPA Book Award for General Fiction (The River & El Rio). Author of The Mask: A Historical Fiction Novella for an anthology based around the Ohio Literary Trail. Devotional author for Guidepost Books & Abundant Books. Winner of the 2020 Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award. In addition to being an international speaker & author, she hosts short vlogs on Facebook called “Life Outside the Pages” and a YouTube ministry channel for Hispanic Women. Betty is a certified P.O.W.E.R. speaker through AWSA. Member of AWSA, WW, ACFW, CIPA, Blue Ridge. Connect with Betty on her website, FB page, or contact page.

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