Today I'm honored to introduce author, speaker, and friend, Rebecca Barlow Jordan. But first, let me tell you a little about her. Rebecca is a best-selling author and speaker who loves to share God's words of encouragement with others at conferences, churches, and special women's events. She has authored or co-authored 11 books, including the Daily in Your Presence series, the Courage for the Chicken Hearted series, and the new Day-votionsTM series: Day-votionsTM for Women, Day-votionsTM for Mothers, and Day-votionsTM for Grandmothers. Over 325,000 of Rebecca's books have been in print, encouraging others, one heart at a time.
She has sold over 1700 greeting cards, stories, devotionals, poems, calendars and articles to publications such as HomeLife, Discipleship Journal, Marriage Partnership, Focus on the Family, and many others. She has authored a series of children's devotionals and a 365-day calendar, In His Image, and contributed to numerous other books.
Rebecca and her husband, Larry, have two married daughters and sons-in-law and four grandchildren and make their home in East Texas. They've been teaching Bible studies and encouraging others since their first country church over thirty-five years ago. Rebecca and Larry share their passion for marriage and enjoy leading marriage enrichment retreats. Rebecca has also taught at writers' conferences and has worked with women's ministry and discipleship.
Even though Larry has retired from full-time ministry, Rebecca still writes fluently, including her blog on her website at Those blogs include encouragement and inspiration for parents, women, moms, grandparents, writers-really, anyone who needs God's practical encouragement.
Rebecca has won many prestigious writing awards and is a graduate of Speak Up Speaker Services and is a member of the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association. She has been interviewed on many national radio and television programs.
Today, Rebecca shares her books and writing journey with us. As a matter of fact, she is offering THREE book giveaways this week, so don't forget to leave a comment and you could be one of the three winners! And I've read her books and I can tell you, you don't want to miss this opportunity!
Vonda: So, let's get started. Would you first tell us how you got started writing?
Rebecca: Well, I've always loved to read, and words have always fascinated me. English was my favorite subject and in 8th grade, myEnglish teacher challenged us to write poems for entry in the High School Anthology of Poetry. I did, and my first poem was chosen and published when I was 13. I knew I loved poetry and could rhyme easily, but I did nothing more about writing until later.
At college I chose to major in Larry (my husband). It wasn't until after our first baby was born a few years later that I decided to try writing again. My first attempts at writing were greeting cards. I sent out scores of rhyming greeting card verses and sold some. Those early attempts netted scores of rejections as well as sales, but I was hooked. (One year I actually had over 1000 greeting card rejects.) I took a writer's correspondence course which opened up all kinds of possibilities: magazine articles, devotionals, newspaper columns. I found I could write and sell these pieces and thoroughly enjoyed them. It didn't take long to realize that like the runner in Chariots of Fire, when I write, I "feel God's pleasure."
Vonda: Wow–1000 rejections? My goodness, studies show that most wannabe writers get 5-10 rejections and quit. You're proof that rejections simply show you're doing the work of a writer. And look at your now! When did you segue from cards to books?
Rebecca: I think I've always been writing a book-in my heart and in my head. But God had some work to do in my life before He allowed me to write my first book, a marriage book I co-authored with my husband several years ago.
Many writers are only interested in writing books. But I loved writing, period. As a freelance writer I continued to write greeting cards, articles, and anything an editor would buy in the Christian market. I think those years helped "pay my dues" and paved the way toward focusing more on devotional and inspirational books when God said, "It's time." I've found that in devotional and inspirational writing, you can include stories that resonate with other readers through shared pain, trials, and victories.
I'm a passionate Christ follower, and have always loved God's Word since I was very young. I think He's been preparing me since then, and God seemed to be leading me into writing books that would strengthen others in their Christian walk with God-and often books or stories that would emphasize His name and attributes. Although I have mentored several Christian (women), I look at writing as a mentoring form as well. Christian authors have always been my "mentors."
Vonda: So, where did you get the idea for your Day-votionsTM book series?
Rebecca: I love to "play" with words, and as I mentioned, I love to encourage others, especially through the writing of devotions. Several years ago I wrote part of a children's devotional series for Warner Press called "Do-votionals." Later on, I began doing some word play of my own and came up with the title "Day-votions"-which would convey the idea of daily devotions.
It wasn't until a few years later, however, that I began to develop and then trademark the name for a new devotional series. My agent took the idea to Zondervan, and the rest is history. That new series is Day-votionsTM for Women, Day-votionsTM for Mothers, and Day-votionsTM for Grandmothers. The subtitles fit the content: Heart to Heart Encouragement. This is an encouraging devotional series for women of all ages-in all stages of life!
I call every book God allows me to write a "God-thing," because He has to do it. But this series truly was a God-thing. I had a deadline of four months to write the three books. Literally, I was crying out to God daily, "I can't do this, but God, You can!"
Vonda: Four months to write three books? I can't imagine! I love that God took your real-life experiences and used them for His glory.
Rebecca: Yes, these devotions relate true stories from my own life as a woman, a mom, and a grandmom, and from the experiences of others, along with biblical examples, truths, and applicable prayers. Like my other devotions, I included simple truths to live by-called "Day-Briefs"- in these books. It's my prayer that women, moms, and grandmothers will find help and strength for every circumstance in these inspirational devotions. Some are lighthearted and humorous; others mo
re serious.
Whether single, married, young, or old, women can identify with these stories and biblical truths, finding spiritual encouragement for day-to-day living. My prayer is that these books will help women draw closer to God, who in turn, will help connect the dots to more meaningful relationships with others. I LOVED writing these books.
Vonda: I can tell! So what advice can you give beginning writers?
Rebecca: Some of my blogs on my website include helps for writers, because I love to encourage them, too. But in a nutshell I'd say, "Write Now." Write about anything, everything, write your heart. Write about what you love, what you're passionate about, but just "do it!" Journal often, stick ideas in a folder, start a blog. Most of my books grew out of journaling. Become familiar with the "big three": Persistence, Patience, and Perspiration. (I wrote a blog about this).
Be willing to start small, and let God grow your talents. When I was a young mother, I wanted to write more, but I had little time with children and my husband's ministry. My mother used to tell me, "If you will always take care of your priorities first, later there will be more time to write, and more to write about. She was right. I wrote enough to keep my foot in the door. Once my children were older, that "more time and more to write about" happened. The rest is history.
Forget about rejection. It's part of learning and growing. Attend a good writer's conference; join a writer's critique group, and don't be afraid to learn by asking questions. Ask God to direct your paths and to open doors. If He's in it, you'll find them opening-always on His timetable.
Vonda: What is your not-so-secret ambition?
Rebecca: To someday write fiction and children's books.
Vonda: Ahhh. I can identify with that! What's your favorite quote?
Rebecca: That's easy. "It's never too late to become what you might have been." (George Eliot)
Vonda: Good one! And your life message?
Rebecca: "God is faithful!"
Vonda: Yes, He is, Rebecca. And readers, you can find Rebecca's Day-votionsTM books as well as her others on her website at or And you can contact her at .
Don't forget to leave a comment and you could a free book! And there'll be THREE winners next week!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
End of the Year Thanks!
Thank you for hanging out with me here at The Christian Writer's Den! Can you believe we've been meeting like this for three years? And to thank you for your continued friendship and encouragement, I want to give four readers their choice of a free downloadable writing class!
All you have to do is visit the Store to select your class, then contact me with the one you'd like to win. Next week I'll draw out four names and they'll get their class for free!
Happy Anniversary!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Parting Words from The Word…
As we come to the end of 2010, it's time to reflect on our lives and our roles as writers. Did we accomplish everything He had for us to do this year? I know I didn't. I believe He had more for me. Good stuff, stuff that would help someone find Him or grow in Him or see Him for the first time.
But I didn't do it. My primary struggles are in the areas of time management and focus. This year I pray for the strength and commitment to use my time more wisely. I have to.
You show that you are a letter from Christ…written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. 2 Corinthians 3:3
I have to focus better because there are people out there who need to see God's love…and God wants to show Himself through me, His letter, written on the tablets of their human hearts.
I pray God's blessing in 2011 as you bless others through ministry,
Vonda
Read entire post »
Parting Words from The Word… 
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16
I've always had an innate sense of humor. From the time I was a little girl, I loved making people laugh, even if it meant making a fool of myself in the process. My dad educated me in the gentle art of humor through his Miss Carolina Bowler beauty award and his practical joking.
Need a Last Minute Christmas Gift for Kids or a Woman in Your Life?
But you must contact me