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
Linda, you never cease to amaze me. I enjoyed reading about your life Jane. I can actually relate on so many levels being an ACOA. God sure has a plan and a time for each of us. It was the death of that alcoholic ( the only god I had ever known) hat put me on my road to meeting our Lord and Savior.
I have always enjoyed Christian writers. I was blown away by the first one I ever read. I believe you are all following a divine plan.
God bless and have a peaceful, memorable Christmas
Oh my I Loved reading this story and meeting Jane Thank you so much Linda I Love reading about New Authors and when you have a friendship like that Linda and Jane it Blesses Me to read these wonderful Stories! Thank you and Merry Christmas!
I too first heard the “cute meet” phrase in the Holiday movie. Didn’t you just love the theme of it, not the over the top sex part so much, but Eli Wallach was wonderful! Thank you for the thoughtful comment!
Wow! I very much enjoyed “meeting” Jane Quail! Her life accounts were very interesting and I would love to read her new book as Christian Historical Romance is my favorite reading. I too grew up in Illinois 50 miles North of Chicago and I write inspirational articles and devotionals.
I enjoyed her “meet cute” expression.😊 The first time I heard that was in the movie “The Holiday”.
Although at the beginning it seemed like you did have some rough spells it’s refreshing to know that even authors are like everyone else. I think sometimes we paint a picture of what an author is like. I also love the fact that you do try to think of a christian message in your book as well. Thank you for sharing!
How refreshing! Marita is a beautiful name. May I use it in one of the books to come? Yes, life happens, as the saying goes, though I don’t usually like to include verbiage of the day. Life has been what God directed and used to bring me to the place where He wants me to be. Your honest comment is so appreciated.
Jane, A Dillinger bank robbery? Wow; you are so blessed to have a relative that can share that with you. what a story! Thanks for writing!
That Dillinger tidbit is amazing, isn’t it? Thanks for stopping by.
I was all ears for that one – Mom’s best friend was actually taken captive while she watched, and held on the running board of Dillinger’s vehicle with several other bank employees, and then dropped off several miles outside of town. What a story! Thank you for your interest 🙂