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Interview with Lisa Jordan

At sixteen, Lisa Jordan realized she wanted to be an author and bring her stories of hope and happily ever after to readers. Her first novel was published in 2011, and she continues to write for Love Inspired. She shares a bit more about her latest book, her writing, and her own love story – complete with a meet cute and happily ever after.

Welcome, Lisa. Congratulations on the publication of your book! When did you first know you wanted to be a writer?
When I was sixteen, I read The Promise by Danielle Steele. Yes, I realize (now) it’s not appropriate reading material for an angsty sixteen-year-old, but I was a huge Danielle Steele fan at the time. Anyway, after I read that book, I realized I wanted to be a writer and create the same heart-sigh for my readers that I felt after reading that book.

What is your favorite and/or least favorite part of writing?
My favorite part of writing is connecting with my readers. There’s no greater writing joy than to get emails from my readers to let me know how my words connected with them. It’s not the ego boost that I love, but knowing I’m using the talents God has given me to touch readers’ hearts—and He gets the full glory.

My least favorite part of writing is deadlines. While I realize their importance, they’re stressful, especially if my story isn’t coming together the way I need it.

Where do your story ideas come from?
My ideas come from many different places—childhood experiences, life experiences, song lyrics, news features I’ve read, and secondary characters who decide they have a story to tell.

Could you share some of your publication journey?
Like I mentioned, I wanted to be a writer since I was sixteen. I majored in fiction writing in college, but I left school to get married, and then we started a family. Through that time, I dabbled in writing, but my focus was my family. Then, in 2004, I participated in NaNoWriMo and wrote my first novel. I found ACFW in 2005, which is where I met Susie May Warren. When she founded My Book Therapy in 2007, I became involved and learned how to write correctly. In 2009, I finaled in the Genesis contest and sold my first book to Love Inspired in 2011. That debut novel won a 2012 Carol Award in the short novel category. Since that first novel, I’ve been growing my skills. The Father He Deserves is my eighth published novel. I have another book coming out in January 2022, and I’m working on two book proposals to submit to my editor.

As a writer who loves a happily ever after, I suppose it's no surprise you have your own sweet love story. Could you share it?
My love story isn’t traditional, that’s for sure! While I was in college, I worked at a family restaurant. One night, this handsome Marine, home on leave, came into the restaurant and was seated in my section. He had worked there prior to enlisting and knew some of the restaurant employees. One of the other servers introduced us. We chatted. He came in the next night…and the next. He asked if I’d be interested in being a pen pal. So, for eighteen months, he courted me through cards, letters, and occasional visits. Finally, tired of being apart, we ended up eloping. This October, we will celebrate thirty-two years. He’s my inspiration for my male heroes, and he’s my biggest cheerleader.

Your hero and heroine train rescue dogs. Have you ever trained a dog?
I haven’t trained a dog in a professional sense, but we had a yellow lab when our boys were younger. My husband trained her to be a duck hunting dog, which requires a lot of discipline. Our current dog, a chihuahua mix, is a rescue. We’ve had her for seven years, and she’s my writing buddy. Sure, it’s a cliché, but I’m not sure who rescued whom.

Where is your novel set, and why did you choose that location?
My novel is set in the fictional town of Shelby Lake, and more specifically, Holland Hill, which is located just outside of Shelby Lake. Shelby Lake is a lakefront community located in northwestern Pennsylvania, which is very loosely based on the area where I live. I chose the location because I love where I live and I wanted to create a quaint small-town community that gives readers a hometown feel.

Your hero was injured in a kayaking accident, have you ever been kayaking?
Yes, my family loves to kayak. We bought kayaks a number of years ago, and we try to get on the water during the summer months. I’ve flipped my kayak twice, so I can relate to some of Evan’s struggles in The Father He Deserves. Thankfully, I wasn’t in rushing water like Evan, and I was not injured. Well, just my pride.

What message do you hope readers will take away from your story?
I want readers to know God is with them no matter where they go in life. I also wanted readers to know if they are struggling with fears and anxieties, God is with them. He provides professionals to help them through their struggles. Readers need to know being brave is having the courage to do something even if they are afraid.

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Jody Stinson believes every story deserves a happy ending—even if she has to write one herself. After an international upbringing, she continues to travel whenever she can. Her goal is to take her readers somewhere new, make them smile, and give them hope through Christ. She currently writes freelance including articles, devotionals, commercials, and even a client's wedding toast.




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