Welcome, everyone!
Jane Quail (Jane Waughtal outside of writing) has joined our circle this week. What a pleasure it is to introduce you to this author who hails from the ultra-southern tip of Texas where I grew up—the Rio Grande Valley.
A couple years ago, Jane contacted me via my website. She had met one of my high school friends. My name came up. And before we knew it, Jane and I had “met” in cyberspace. Then we discovered we share the same passion for Christian fiction.
Jane’s preferred genre is inspirational western romance, but she has dabbled in contemporary, fantasy, children’s books, and a Bible study entitled “Under the Cover of His Word”. I’m delighted to introduce you to Jane Quail. Here she is in her own words. (Check out her giveaway below.)
Who Is Jane Quail?
What a wonderful privilege it has been to meet such exciting authors on Linda’s “Let’s Chat”.
Growing up Jane
My early years were spent growing up in LaGrange, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. One of my most important formative experiences was the “going-home” of my dear Mother. Though my heart was broken, God saved me only a month later. All part of His plan.
Heartbroken again, my dad, who was an alcoholic (and, yes, I am ACOA) wouldn’t listen to my urging him to seek treatment. Can you imagine, he told me he liked being the way he was. On a positive note my aunt told me Dad came forward at one of my Southern-Baptist-preacher Granddaddy’s, services and gave his life to Christ as a young man.
We are now card-carrying, word-twanging “y’all”-ers from Texas. Yes, it has ultimately become our “Home, home on the range”. Corny, I know – Alright, I apologize!
Grown-Up Jane
Marrying one year out of high school, my husband and I went back to college after a short break. Two weeks after graduation from college, our first-born son burst on the scene, followed by two more sons and a daughter.
As Motherhood overtook most of my free time, what was left was devoted to composing music, singing, and playing at our home church. Also, teaching private piano, organ and voice lessons.
Being gifted musically came straight from my mother’s heart. A gifted musician herself, she made it possible for me to be well educated musically. Now I continue to utilize these wonderful outlets for my growing relationship of love and dependence upon our great God and Savior the Lord Jesus Christ.
Writing Jane Quail
Reading and teaching music were appropriate apertures to prepare me for the coming life of storytelling. Additionally, my own romance of the “cute-meet” with my husband when we were teens, and our dating and ultimate marriage, provided that true-to-life, appropriate experience for the amour interests in my stories. Creating attention-grabbing characters, appealing storylines, and page-turning enticements so that the reader longs to know more has been my goal.
Over time numerous yarns began to take form in my imagination, and they eventually overflowed onto paper and became possible storylines. I now have over 200 pages worth of these ideas, including several true-to-life family stories.
While I was caregiver for my mother-in-law for several years, she rewarded me thoroughly with our warm and close personal relationship. I came to know her as a 2nd Mother. Mom had a marvelous life history (including witnessing a Dillinger bank robbery), which I will recount in a future book. Her story will fascinate and astonish. Now Heaven is her home, but what a marvelous blessing she has been to our family!
Also, on my dad’s side is a rich, living background of running from an almost serf-like existence in the “old country”. I am proudly 4th generation American. I soaked up stories of my dad’s family ancestry rife with overwhelming agony and adversity through the victory of deliverance from hardship. What a foil Grossmutter’s and Grandma’s stories will be for several more novels! If you haven’t guessed, that’s German for great-grandmother.
What’s Up With Jane Quail Now?
Being a Christian author in our world today is a challenge, certainly, but I still believe the most important objective for the Christian author is to have a message for the reader. Of primary importance is sharing my faith. At the same time, I want to deliver an impressive story that has the reader on the edge of his/her seat begging for more. With God’s help this is my highest, anticipated goal.
Life is the most valuable teacher for all of us who aspire to write. I learned the value of the “good guys” winning the day and the “happily-ever-after.” But real life can be exceedingly different. However, by design we write to entertain, give our readers a break from the everyday routine. That is often what entices the reader and whets the appetite for inspirational romance. My first effort at this creative outlet is The Redemption of Honor.
What’s Next for Jane Quail?
Currently, I am writing two novels. Both are western romances with adventure, danger and angst enough, hopefully, to bring tears and belly-laughter.
Looking for the publisher is the most challenging part of being an author. If anyone knows of a good publisher looking for a prolific author, please let me know!
A Final Word From Jane Quail
Linda, thank you for this opportunity to share with other authors and readers. Everyone who is featured in “Let’s Chat” has challenged and encouraged the rest of us. I hope I have done so too. Sharing about ourselves tells a little something about the Source, the Lord God our Creator and Sustainer.
God bless you, Linda, for your continued efforts on behalf of so many of us who aspire to share Christ, while creating interesting, exciting, adventurous and romantic stories.
I pray this for all of us, that we may honor the Savior in telling our stories in exciting ways. He has provided them, and we express what we cannot withhold.
I look forward to rewarding one of you who responds with a signed, paperback copy of my first published book, The Redemption of Honor. Thank you for what I know is your precious time. Hope to see y’all at the next ACFW Conference!
How to Find Jane Quail
Facebook: @StorytellerComposer
Twitter: @JaneQuail1 (please note the number 1 at the end)
Email: jjwaughtal@msn.com
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Lord, You move in mysterious ways, even to connect your children. Bringing together two people with the same writing goals through a high school friend from 50+ years ago shows us only one thread of Your Providence. Thank you for using all Your children in Your plan for humanity. Now we pray You’ll bless each word Jane writes for You.
~ For Jesus’ sake
Loved the story about the onion.Thanks for sharing!
After our church’s Christmas program last night, I returned to this commenting having recalled, as I often do, family stories. My Grossmutter loved scallion onions and grew them in her garden in back of the home where she and Grandma lived. I have trail behind her, skipping happily to her gab, and was I ever shocked the first time she picked a scallion out of the rich, dark earth, shook it somewhat clean, and ate it that next moment, mmm-ing as she did. What a sweet memorial picture I am blessed to share with y’all!. My great grandmother was always a favorite. I will be writing hers and grandma’s stories soon for publication. Watch for “Grossmutter”, German for “grand mother”.
What a sweet memory, Jane. Thanks.
Joyce, thanks for offering to be a mentor for those of us who might be in need of that and may not even realize it yet. 🙂 I love your thoughts on your mom and the onion; I like your perspective that writer’s can “live twice” by writing about lives and life and then, being able to live their own. I had not thought of that but, it is so true! Thanks for writing and for sharing.
Welcome, Diane. Great to welcome you to our circle this week. Didn’t you just love Joyce’s onion story? Glad you enjoyed it too. Hope to see you in the chat circle again. 🙂
Wow I loved hearing about the onion and I never would have thought of how writers would think until I read this. Thanks for sharing!!
Hi, Rita! Great to have you in our chat group. I agree with you about the onion. How interesting … right? I hope you’ll join the circle again.
Absolutely
My goodness, Joyce! You are a unique person. Where did you find her, Linda? Even your writing on Linda’s blog is wonderful, attention-getting, inspiring. Yes, I would like to speak with you about an editing relationship. Keep up the great work!
Yes, Jane. Joyce is a unique voice, that’s for sure. We “met” via our mutual friends at Brookstone Publishing Group. I’m very thankful for her. So glad you could join us! We’ll be visiting with YOU next week!! Looking forward to it 🙂
I remember those pregnant onions and babies. My mom had one for years, but I’m not sure what happened to it. Thank you for sharing. Merry Christmas 🎁🎄
I was reared on a farm and still missed out on pregnant onions. 🙂 Not only was Joyce’s post enjoyable, it was informative, too.
Joyce, you are more than I can ever be! 🙂 Lately, I’ve gone through a time of too much on my slate and no “perfect” writing time. This chat with you is about the first thing…to do with writing…that I’ve accomplished in the last few months. I had given up the fight to find a time when I wasn’t too worn out to write. 🙁 But … I’m pulling myself out from under the weighted “to do” list and demands on my time. It’s almost like waking up from a bad dream and finding out my computer does still work! Ha.
I understand, Karen. But Joyce encourages us, doesn’t she?
Karen, I hear you, kiddo! I remember those days. But, here’s the thing–writers will write. Even if it’s just in your head. When I was a young Mom trying to write with two little kids underfoot it kind of went like this: Pour apple juice. Write for five minutes. Clean up the apple juice. Write for five minutes. If writing is really what you ant to do, please, keep trying.
I loved Joyce long before this blog post – and I love her even more now. She’s an amazing author and wonderful friend. Thanks for hosting her!
Love you, Joyce! You have been such an encouragement for me over the years! And you’re one of my favorite people to laugh with. Some, sweet day, I’ll get on a plane and come see you.
Some sweet day. My sentiments about Joyce. Thanks for stopping by and encouraging us.