Friday, October 31, 2014

Jessica Everingham: The Power Of Romance In Story

Everyone's Story welcomes this week the aspiring author Jessica Everingham. I've had the pleasure of getting to know Jessica from the times she has visited this blog as a commenter, as well as through Twitter. It's an honor that she is my guest this week, and I hope that she receives much encouragement from viewers over the next few days because this woman certainly has her act together, which I'm sure you will agree upon when you read the lovely words she shares with us, as well as a blurb on the novel she's written. Be blessed. Be encouraged. Ignore anything else that tries to bring you down. Both Jessica and I look forward to hearing from you.


Jessica's blurb of HATING JEREMY WALTERS:

I’m a good church girl. How did I end up in this weird pseudo-family with two kids and the guy who broke my heart?

Natalie Groves could never hate anybody. Anybody, that is, except the love of her life.

She was nineteen when Jeremy Walters declared he wouldn’t—couldn’t—keep faking his faith in God. Not for his overbearing father, not even for her. Natalie ended their relationship and he drove off to Chicago.

Now Natalie is 26, single, and broke from paying off her father’s medical bills. And she just lost her job.

When Jem lands back in town, desperate for a nanny for his teenage niece and infant son, some say it’s Providence. Natalie says God has lost His marbles.

But with no paycheck and no savings, she can either go bankrupt or accept his job.

She’s tempted to go bankrupt.


The Best Part of Romance by Jessica Everingham

I recently read the most romantic line I’ve ever seen, in Veronica Roth’s Divergent series.

For me, it highlighted my favourite part of romance, both as a writer and a reader. But let me fill you in on the backstory…

The book’s main character, Tris, has endured countless crises with her boyfriend, Tobias, in a dystopian world coming apart at the seams.

Courtesy Google Images
Not only have the pair fought against a society hell-bent on destroying itself, they’ve also had to battle their inner demons—and sometimes each other—along the way. Yet their relationship ***SPOILER ALERT*** which began mid-way through the first book, is still going strong toward the end of the third.

It is at this point, when Tris makes the following confession:

“I fell in love with him. But I don't just stay with him by default as if there's no one else available to me. I stay with him because I choose to, every day that I wake up, every day that we fight or lie to each other or disappoint each other. I choose him over and over again, and he chooses me.” 

What I really love about this line is one particular word: “choose."

While the situation that Tris and Tobias live in is wildly different from our own world, their relationship is one of the most realistic—and addictive—I’ve come across in fiction.

Their love isn’t just based on attraction, (though there’s plenty of that). It’s not just about romance, (though, between battles, there’s some of that too).

These two young characters build a relationship on blood, sweat and tears. They’re faced with it all—physical danger, personal insecurities, post-traumatic stress disorder, guilt, disappointment, and even lies. Their inner demons mimic real life far more than your average romance.

Courtesy Google Images
Yet through it all, they consistently chose to put the other one above themselves. They stand with each other through grief and tragedy. They encourage. They challenge. They sacrifice. And they last.

While Roth’s novels are mainstream, not Christian, I think the enduring example shown by Tris and Tobias follows Biblical principles.

After all, what is real romance, if not this? Real life is full of challenges that require these same qualities to overcome. Sure, true love might start with attraction and fun. But at the end of the day, when unpleasant things fly toward the fan, love becomes a choice.

One of the reasons I believe Divergent excelled is because it took those real-life elements and fused them with nail-biting action, a mind-bending conspiracy and enough plot twists to make you dizzy.

That’s the thing I love about fictional romance: the chance to illustrate real-life principles through wildly imaginative situations. Divergent reminded me of that.

What have your favourite books done for you?


Jessica's Ah-hahs To Tweet:
Meet @JessEveringham and see how she connects Divergent series & God’s plans for love. (Tweet This)

Like #ChristianRomance novels? See Jessica Everingham’s take on these great reads. (Tweet This)

Author's Bio:
Jessica Everingham is a 23 year-old Australian who writes about God and love, and often combines the two. Her novel-in-progress, Hating Jeremy Walters, is a prime example.

Check out a sneak peek of her book through her website/blog. 

Places to connect with Jessica:




22 comments:

  1. Hating Jeremy Walters sounds like a great romance. I look forward to reading it. What have my favorite books done for me? They've taken me to worlds I could never imagine. I've been a reader since before I went to school. Great post!

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    1. I'm so glad you've stopped by this evening to encourage Jessica.

      BTW, I remember my mother commending me on reading billboard signs that we would pass while out on a drive, and this was before entering kindergarten… guess this gives new meaning to reading whatever I can set my eyes on!

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    2. Thanks Patricia! It's great how reading can take you around the world, or even travel through time. Before I could even read, I would memorize the books my parents read to me and 'read' them to myself. Thus the addiction began! :)

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  2. I really enjoyed the interview and will be watching for the release of Hating Jeremy Walters. I also liked Jessica's author page and look forward to following her writing.

    Ann Ellison
    abilene_nana@yahoo.com

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    1. Ann, I admire the energy you put into supporting others. You are so sweet!

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    2. Thanks Ann! Your support means a lot. I'm working on the second draft of the manuscript now, so I'm inching closer to getting it out there. :)

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  3. To be twenty-three, Jessica, you sure have some great solid truths! I'd love for you to be my granddaughters' best friend :) I've been with my husband 48 years, since we were 16. We married as soon as we graduated HS at 18 :) (me barely - turned 18 in May, married in June / Ron turned 19 in November - - - as if those few months made any big difference - - - tee hee hee I agree with Patricia, your story sounds like a good one :) Thanks for introducing me to Jessica, Elaine :) Blessings from Texas, y'all! :)

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    1. Caryl, I'm so thrilled that you've visited Everyone's Story this evening and that you enjoyed Jessica's segment. Jessica has her act so well together--more so than so many "older" adults I encounter every day. And blessings to you from the Northeast, where most of us have our wood stoves going.

      Hope to see you again.

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    2. Thanks Caryl! Wow, congratulations on 48 years. That's an impressive achievement! Thanks for your encouragement!

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  4. Yes - examining real romance through fictional characters. Great post.

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    1. Davalyn, Jess brings a nice perspective of a reader/writer. After reading her message it has made me re-examine how a reader may see my own work… and how I may want a reader to see my stories.

      As always, thanks for visiting.

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    2. Thanks Davalyn! My theory is that fictional romance is so much more powerful when it has a message that's applicable to real romance. As a young person, so much of what we learn about relationships comes via the media. I think if the media-including novels-can steer us in the right direction while still being entertaining, that's an awesome thing.

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  5. Jess, great seeing a fellow Aussie on Everyone's Story.

    To "choose" - so important in lasting relationships: to choose to say yes, to keep believing the best, to keep loving and cherishing.

    Lovely post, Jess, and wishing you all the best with your writing. Good to see you on CWD the other day as well. My wife & I are keen Castle fans.

    Elaine - once again thank you for promoting new authors & Aussie ones.

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    1. Thanks for visiting, Ian. Aussie authors, Americans, or Austrians--I'd love for us to have a sense of one supportive, caring people who lift each other up and make God proud.

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    2. Thanks Ian! Great to meet fellow Aussies on the writing circuit. Represent!
      And yes, it's a pretty entertaining show. The idea to actually write the Nikki Heat books with 'Richard Castle' listed as the author was marketing genius.

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  6. I love the humor Jessica brings to her story!!

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    1. Yes! I smile every time I re-read Jess' blurb.

      Thanks for visiting, Ane. You're a gem.

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    2. Thanks Ane! That's another thing I'm learning from other people's books and tv shows; how to incorporate humor into writing. I literally have a list of 'things that are funny' taped to the back of my notebook and use it for inspiration. :)

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  7. I enjoyed Divergent (the movie), but hadn't been overly motivated to read the books till now. Like others, I appreciate your insight into the importance of choosing each other again and again. Thanks, Jessica. Best wishes and prayers for your career. (It looks bright from here!)

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    1. Johnnie, so glad of your visit this evening. Isn't Jess motivating?!

      Hope to see you again.

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    2. Thanks Johnnie! Enjoy the books - just be prepared to binge read and have some tissues nearby. :)

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  8. I love when readers and authors come together to support an aspiring writer! Jess, thanks so much for appearing on Everyone's Story. You have so much going for you and I'm inspired by you. May God bless you richly with your dreams come true.

    Blessings to all.

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