Let’s Chat! Psychological Suspense Author J.A. Marx!
Welcome, Readers! And Welcome, J.A. Marx!
This week J.A. Marx, a great Texas author, honors us with a visit.
Join the conversation by commenting below, and you just might win one of her books: Destiny Defied (psychological suspense) or her quirky, psychological “romance” novella, Mirror, Mirror, in ebook format
Congratulations to Marilyn Ridgway, winner of this week’s drawing!
Take it away, J.A. Marx!
Who Is J.A. Marx?
I grew up in the mountains and graduated from college (CSU) in Colorado—God’s country. Living in the heart of the Rockies, I adored my childhood playground: the side of a forested mountain, facing Longs Peak. Even though I had no real clue what “church” was until I met Jesus at age 18, I know God communicated with me while I climbed trees and built forts. (Tweet That!) Certainly, He created this playground with my childlike heart in mind.
Presently, I live in Texas—also God’s country.
What’s an Adventure to J.A. Marx?
In college, I smuggled Bibles into China—the greatest culture shock of my life and my most courageous adventure. (Tweet That!) Some of the most satisfying years of my life, however, were spent homeschooling my children and introducing them to different cultures and beautiful people and places. 3 grandchildren bless my life.
How Was J.A. Marx, the Writer, Born?
First, Fank Peretti’s books inspired me to let loose the reservoir of stories running through my mind. I wrote my first novel in 1990. Now it is safely tucked away in some obscure file on my computer. (Tweet That!)
But in 2001, a picture crossed my mind: a girl washing up on a beach. I had to do something with her, and thus The Destiny Series was born. I wrote all 6 books in this psychological suspense series between 2001-2003. They were terribly written because I had never studied the craft. Thank goodness, my first book in the series (traditionally published) did not hit the shelves until 2014.
Jerry Jenkins Christian Writer’s Guild changed everything. I learned the craft through his group of top-notch authors/teachers–the best, people like Doc Hensley, DiAnn Mills, to name a few.
What Is Author J.A. Marx Involved in Currently?
While I’m traditionally published in psychological romantic suspense, I’m also gearing up to self-publish book 4 in my psychological suspense series this year (the one featuring the girl who washed up on the beach).
Any Lessons Learned or Advice from J.A. Marx?
What do I tell new writers? Writing is a serious business, and it should stem from a passion for story. Words carry the power to build up or tear down, to deceive or to deliver truth. (Tweet That!)
Julie’s Suggestions
First, spend lots of time in the presence of the I AM, Who created words; and don’t stop pressing in until Jesus returns.
Then write, join a critique group, write, study the craft, take classes, network at conferences, and keep writing. God opens doors that we cannot open. He connects us with people (even agents/editors) that we might otherwise not meet.
More importantly, what we surrender to His lordship and allow Him to build, He will also sustain (Tweet That!); what we strain to make happen on our own, we will also strain to maintain on our own.
Living a surrendered-writer’s life translates into the successful life of an author. (Tweet That!)
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Thank you, Julie. I loved this interview. We appreciate your opening yourself to strangers who now can claim you as something akin to a friend. You can bet I’ll be reading what you’ve written, girl!
Readers, you can find J.A. Marx at http://jamarx.net and https://www.facebook.com/embattledspirit.
You can find her books on Amazon:
Destiny Defied: Book One
Destiny Delivered: Book Two
Destiny Defended: Book Three
Mirror, Mirror (a quirky novella in ebook format)
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Lord, You are the Word. Your every utterance is flawless. We writers beg you to make our puny words flawless in their effect for You. We readers beg You to lead us to the writers You have chosen to speak words of truth and encouragement into our hearts. ~ For Jesus’ sake
I loved Family Ties, Deadly Lies. I enjoyed this interview immensely and am excited to hear more books will be coming out by J.A. very soon. Have a wonderful day.
Hi Stacy. Yes, and I appreciated your review of FTDL so much! Good seeing you here.
Psychological Suspense books are intense reading. J. A. Marx is a new author to this avid reader. I do remember reading Frank Peretti’s books when they were first released. Keeping our focus on God is best for all. Thank you for the reminder.
I’m looking forward to J.A.’s books! Thanks so much for stopping by, Marilyn, my friend.
Hi Marilyn. Yes, psychological fiction can be intense as they dig deeper into a character’s psychological issues and how they face those issues and how God redeems. Thanks for commenting.
So appreciate Julie’s suggestions to new writers–which apply to all writers. Everything works so much better when we surrender our will, our work, our time, and our expectations to the Lord!
So right, Clarice. God makes life run smoothly for us, and we make it difficult.
-J.A.