Deena Adams
As a Jesus girl for more than thirty years, Deena understands how important hope is to daily life. That’s why she’s passionate about inspiring others through writing hope-filled fiction and highlighting other Christian authors on her blog.
Deena is an active member of ACFW and two Virginia writer groups, board member of ACFW Virginia, founder of the Marathon online writer’s group, 2019 Foundations contest finalist, 2019 First Impressions contest double finalist and winner, and 2021 Genesis contest finalist.
She lives with her husband near the coast in beautiful Virginia. When she’s not writing, reading, or serving in her church, you’ll find her hanging out with family and friends and doting on her seven grandchildren.
I first learned of Deena Adams when I joined ACFW and became part of one of her groups. The group that Deena facilitates on Facebook, Marathon, is one that I check regularly since Deena constantly shares pertinent and meaningful articles to encourage and grow writers. She truly is a cheerleader for those with a passion for writing for God’s glory.
Let’s see what Deena has to share with us about her life and about writing!
| Tell us a little about your life. Thanks so much for hosting me on your blog, Amy! I was born and raised in Northwest Georgia and married my high school sweetheart at age eighteen. We traveled the United States during his twenty-year Navy career, raised three children, and are now enjoying our seven grandchildren, two of which live too far away in Texas. In the mid-90’s, my husband surrendered to God’s call to the ministry and in 1999, two years before his Navy retirement, we planted a church in Virginia. We’ve lived in Virginia ever since and my husband still pastors that church. How did you become interested in writing? I’ve always loved English, grammar, and writing, and I’ve been an avid reader since childhood. I wrote my first short story in middle school, and in the early 90’s I applied for a writing course through the mail and submitted a short story called, “Motorcycle Madness.” I was accepted into the program but never followed through with it. Over the years, I’ve written a few poems for family members, some devotions and Bible lessons for church, and lots of personal journals, but I never thought about writing for publication. In 2018, after two years of struggle and depression over the loss of a close friendship, I asked God to show me what to do to dig myself out of the pit I was in, and He led me to writing Christian fiction. Having no idea how to begin writing a novel, I immersed myself in the writing and publishing world through every course, YouTube video, and blog I could find and have been drinking from the proverbial firehose ever since. Tell us about one of your favorite writing projects. Since I’ve been writing for such a short time, I’ve only completed two manuscripts and my newsletter subscriber freebie, so this question is easy. My first manuscript, which I’ve been writing and rewriting for the past three years, is my favorite project so far. The heroine, Amanda, becomes a court-appointed special advocate to pay penance for her past mistakes while also seeking to protect the foster children assigned to her from the type of abusive childhood she endured. After meeting Clayton Richards, a behavioral psychologist and homeless shelter manger, a carved angel keepsake uncovers a link between Amanda and a shelter resident, sending the trio down a path of discovery none of them could have imagined. There’s also a romantic thread between Amanda and Clayton. His transparency presses against the walls Amanda has built around her heart, challenging her resolve to keep her past buried. I’ve come to love these characters. They’re like family to me. I think people will relate to the many lessons Amanda learns throughout the story, and I pray readers will find hope and encouragement . . . when it gets published!. The novelette freebie for newsletter subscribers is Clayton’s childhood story, which I also love. What advice do you have for aspiring authors? Don’t compare your journey to anyone else’s. When things are going well, comparison can lead to pride, and when we receive a rejection or don’t seem to advance as quickly as others, we can be tempted to wallow in discouragement and self-pity. God’s plans and timing are perfect and when we surrender everything to His control, He will bless our efforts. Let’s write stories for God’s glory and trust the Lord to write our story. |
What valuable advice — and not just for writers! Thanks, Deena, for a great reminder that our times are in God’s hands, and that there is no reason to become either vain or discouraged over the ebbs and flows of our writing journeys as we trust in God’s sovereignty.
Here are links to find about more about Deena and her writing:
Website: https://deenaadams.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/deenamadams
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Deenamadams
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deenaadamswrites/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/66850963-deena-adams
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