This month, I interviewed Lynn Cowell whose book, His Revolutionary Love just released two weeks ago. I’m so excited to have Lynn here. Her passion for Jesus really shines through her writing.
Hi Lynn! We’re so glad to have you here at Today’s Teen Writer. Tell us a bit about yourself…
I love talking and I love writing so one of my favorite things is speaking and writing to girls! On the weekends, I travel around the country doing “Revolutionary Love” conferences. Girls come together for a fantastic girl time of connections with other girls like them and listening to messages bringing the power of love that leads to a pure life.
This month, I released my first book “His Revolutionary Love”. When I’m not speaking or writing, I like hiking, wearing well worn sweatshirts and anything combining chocolate and peanut butter.
How did you get started writing?
I started hanging out with some high school girls. We wanted to do a Bible study together so we went to the Christian book store to see what we could find. We ended up not finding what we were really looking for, so I decided to write it!
What was the inspiration behind your book, His Revolutionary Love?
When I was nineteen, a serious relationship that I was in ended. Empty and alone; my heart was scared and scarred. Allowing this guy to be in the first place spot in my heart was a serious mistake. My heart had a huge whole in it.
What could fill a hole that size? I knew a guy couldn’t. I thought maybe Jesus could. Knowing Him as my shepherd, my friend, my savior was how I grew up. But I felt I needed something more; maybe the more was in Him.
Moving boxes in my warehouse job, I cried out to God, asking Him to fill the cavern. He could, I knew it, I just didn’t know how or what that would look like. He promises that if we will seek Him we will find Him if we search for Him with all of our heart. I began my pursuit.
You mentioned that it took five years to get this book published. What was the hardest part about the journey to publication?
Choosing not to take each rejection (all nineteen of them!) personal! Publishers are looking for a certain thing at a certain time. After the first few, I began to see it as an opportunity to grow. I started attending writer’s conferences and learning as much as I could about honing my skill.
Who is your favorite writer?
I like old books set in old settings. My all time favorite is George MacDonald.
What one event or person shaped you the most as a writer?
I was at She Speaks, a writer’s and speaker’s conference. I was so discouraged from another negative meeting with a publisher that I decided writing wasn’t for me. I didn’t know anybody that I could eat with at lunch, so I randomly sat at a table full of strangers. As I was eating, I heard a lady across the table encouraging another would be author. Her name was Suzie Eller and she was the author of five books. After Suzie spoke with the other woman, I approached her. From that day until now, Suzie has been my biggest cheerleader. Her encouragement is one of the main reasons I am published today.
In this issue of Today’s Teen Writer, we’re talking about dreams. What would you like to tell teens that have BIG dreams?
Ask God what is the difference between your dreams and His callings. He promises us that He will give us the desires of our hearts and He will…when those dreams line up with His callings for our lives. Don’t think for one minute that your dream might be bigger than God’s, I can guarantee you that is not the case. He says that His desires for you are beyond all that you can possibly think or imagine!
To see pictures of Lynn’s family, find her speaking schedule or order her book, you can visit her at www.LynnCowell.com. Also check out her website for young women at www.RadRevolution.org.
My name is Debra Weiss and I’m the editor of Today’s Teen Writer. The only thing I enjoy as much as writing is writing about writing.
Hey Girls…I am so excited to be a part of Today’s Teen Writer today. If you have any questions, I would be so happy to answer them, so just ask away!
If you want to connect on FB you can find me at Lynn Martin Cowell or at RadRev Girls.
To Glory be the Glory. I saw this post on my facebook and my intention was not to open it up now – see I am in the middle of doing housework, I was thinking don’t even open the facebook – but once I accedently opened it and saw this post my very first question was yeah I got a question – how did she just start writing? I feel like I should be writing. I am unsure of what I should be writing. So here I am looking at this article and the title – Lynn on publishing her first book – the first question How did you get started, and the following questions. Well, no mistakes in God’s Kingdom. I am inspired and blessed. Congratulations on the publication I hope for you there are many more to come. Blessings
For someone dreaming of being a writer, this came as a huge encouragement to me! I love reading about other writer’s success stories ~ but reading your story, it clicked that a success story is much more than holding a real book in your hands (with your name on it!). It’s all about being a success in God’s eyes and living HIS dream for my life. Thanks, Lynn! Always a blessing!
Rachelle R.
Mommatres -
When the girls in my mentoring group couldn’t find a book on Jesus’ filling the void in our lives that only Jesus’ love (not guys!) can fill, I started writing the study for them. I would then email it and we would go over it together each week. When we were done I had 17 lessons and I thought “There are other girls who need this truth!” I am so glad that the Lord didn’t let me in on how hard it would be
He is so good though! I am very grateful that my original work was not published. I have grown so much not just as a writer but as a Jesus girl since that. It was so worth it!
Rachelle, You have a total gift with words. I am always excited to get the devos from you for http://www.RadRevolution.org. You do a terrific job. Keep on the path you are on! Lynn
Wow! This is something that I really needed to read today! I am on my 3rd revision of a book I started writing when I was 16. God really put this book on my heart to write but when it came down to it – easier said than done. My friends have really been an encouragement to me to keep writing and my parents have helped me all the more! But how do I go about publishing this? I have a proposal just about ready. I tried sending it to a few agents and I haven’t heard back. My book should be finished with the final revisions in about 2 weeks and I have not heard back from any of them. (I think a rejection letter would be better than silence. Then at least I know that it was considered.)
My book is written to teen girls. And writing, I know, is a dream that God has given me. There are other books He has put on my heart to write, and although I have not written them yet, I did outline them already. God has also put a desire in me to speak, (although I am terrified of public speaking. God has a sense of humor doesn’t He? Or maybe He just wants to put me in a place where I know I have to completely rely on Him.)
So, I guess my question is, what do I do with these dreams? And how do I know what I am doing wrong that I am not hearing back from these agents?
Thank you so much for this encouraging blog post!
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