A Message From God

As most of you know, I’m trying to write my memoirs. I don’t really think of what I’m writing as memoirs, but that would be the technical term. When I think of memoirs I think of someone who has done something incredible or who had a bevy of torrid affairs – neither of which I can claim.

So if when this book gets published I will naturally use my real name. Because it would be silly to use a pen name for a book about me, doncha think?

What you may NOT know is that before I had something to actually write about I played around at writing fiction. I love making up a story – and I have a fertile enough imagination that I can do it. I’m not sure about the actual writing of the story, though I do have a few people who are very encouraging. And they’re not all family, either!

Because my name is so common – can I get a witness, all you Jennifer’s out there – I want to use a pen name if I ever publish my fiction. If you read this post you know about my fondness for the name Roxanne. I’m thinking of going by Roxy because there aren’t a ton of those out there. (No, Terri. This does NOT mean you get part of the royalties)

Since Roxanne is my oldest sister’s middle name I thought it would be nice to use my other sister’s middle name as well, but Roxy Suzanne sounds more like a stripper than an author and since I won’t be writing erotica I think I’m going to have to pass on that one.

Now wanting to be a published author is quite a lofty goal. I mean how many of you handful of people who actually read this blog have the same desire? And it’s easy to get discouraged and be full of self-doubt.

I absolutely believe God still talks to us. He speaks to us through the Bible, in sermons, through people – a myriad of different ways. Where I hear him the most, however, is in music.

This morning as I walked on the treadmill I was listening to my very eclectic collection of songs on my iPod in shuffle mode. My mind was filled with doubts about my writing when I realized Voice of Truth by Casting Crowns was playing. Here is the chorus:

But the voice of truth tells me a different story
The voice of truth says, “Do not be afraid!”
The voice of truth says, “This is for My glory”
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth

I giggled a little bit and sang along and do you know what the very next song was?

Roxanne by the Police! (Told you it was eclectic)

So this is what I believe God was telling me. “Keep at it, ignore the doubts and use the name Roxy.”

17 Comments

  1. Travis Erwin on August 8, 2007 at 1:55 pm

    Yeah, becoming a published author is hard. I’ve been chasing that dream for almsot seven years, but you’ve already faced worse so I say go for it.And I vote for Roxy Sue.

  2. Monnik on August 8, 2007 at 2:00 pm

    Oh, I love the way your brain works! And for what it’s worth, I love Roxy Suzanne. (oh, and that would be a great word combo for scrabble, you know, with the x, the y, and the z for points.)

  3. Terri on August 8, 2007 at 3:08 pm

    I really do think I should get part of the royalties; but, I’ll settle for the dedications! 😀

  4. D.O.M. Dan on August 8, 2007 at 3:17 pm

    I agree with you and believe that God speaks to us. And I think that whatever anyone commits to they can achieve if they just keep trying.

  5. Jenster on August 8, 2007 at 3:17 pm

    Travis – Roxy Sue? Weren’t you the one that encouraged the story about Roxanne the hooker with a heart of gold???Monnik – I didn’t think personal nouns were allowed in Scrabble!!Terri – Yeah, yeah. “I dedicate this New York Times best seller and my name to my sister, Terri.” You mean like that??

  6. Mommy to 4 little people on August 8, 2007 at 4:35 pm

    I just wanted to check out your blog…I saw the address in the bottom of one of your posts on a yahoo group. I was so excited when I saw that you live in PA….I do too! I also love to blog. I will never make it as an accomplished wirter but it looks to me like you have a lot more skill in that area than me. Come on over and visit my blog. And maybe I can stop by an read yours as well. ~Jackie

  7. Jenster on August 8, 2007 at 5:07 pm

    Dan – I guess I’ll just keep trying, then. :o)Jackie – I did leave you a message and will be back to visit your blog. We have a whole lot in common! Including a blogger friend. Kinda spooky!

  8. Eileen on August 8, 2007 at 5:41 pm

    You go Roxy!!! I think it was a sign, really. You certainly have the talent and people love to read what you write. Believe!!

  9. Terri on August 8, 2007 at 6:23 pm

    You forgot a word….. “to my WONDERFUL sister, Terri” See how much better that is?? LOL

  10. Mailyn on August 8, 2007 at 6:39 pm

    Roxy Suzanne sounds more like a stripper than an authorLMAO!!!! I think Roxy is a good name for an author. Hmm, rhymes with foxy. Mehehe.Foxy Roxy. LOL.I remember writing as a child but then I got over it. Not a big fan of writing. Oh and I did post about Eclipse. No worries, spoilers are well marked so you won’t read anything by mistake.

  11. Arkansas Songbird on August 8, 2007 at 9:26 pm

    Oh, I absolutely believe you got a message! God definitely speaks to us in big and small ways. I like to think I am a church lady, too, but I know I have some mighty big shoes to fill!! Needless to say, I wrote that post thinking of all the church ladies I’ve known and loved through the years including my mom, aunts and grannies.

  12. Barb on August 8, 2007 at 10:33 pm

    I think one of Rush Limbaugh’s former wives was named Roxy too? Maybe you could add that into your author bio also, to go with the pseudonym. :oD

  13. CindyS on August 8, 2007 at 11:38 pm

    Yep, that was definitely a call. And I agree, Roxy Sue / Suzanne sound like strippers. So, if that’s what you’re going for ;)CindyS

  14. Lynilu on August 9, 2007 at 12:10 am

    I think God talks to us all the time, but we close our ears/eyes/minds to it. So, yeah, good for you listening!!

  15. angela on August 9, 2007 at 12:20 am

    Hey Roxy, you’ve heard the call from God, and I’m excited to read your response. If you put all your awesome blogs together, you’d already have a book:)

  16. susan on August 9, 2007 at 2:21 am

    It didn’t sound like a stripper name until you planted the seed! LOL You can do it, write that book so that I can say I knew you when you were just the Jenster!

  17. Jodi_Lee on August 9, 2007 at 10:09 pm

    I often think songs on the radio come as direct signs to me from God! heeheeYou will write this book(s) and it will be fabulous! 🙂

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