VIDALIA — For the last five years, Jenn Faulk has been busy creating a library for women who enjoy reading “chick lit” with a Christian theme.

Faulk, a Texas native, is the wife of Rev. Wes Faulk, pastor of First Baptist Church in Vidalia.

Faulk began churning out her books, which typically average about 200 pages each, five years ago. She said she felt there was not a great deal of books available that were clean and edifying.

“I have always enjoyed writing,” Faulk said. “I actually have a degree in creative writing from the University of Houston.”

Faulk, who has two daughters, Ana and Emma, said she waited to write until her children were in school.

“I try to limit my writing to times when the girls are in school or asleep,” Faulk said. “I don’t want my writing to overtake my life, and I rarely ask for time away from them to meet a deadline.”

Faulk, a self-published author, said any demand she may have on her writing is strictly self-imposed.

“I generally produce a finished work every two months or so,” Faulk said. “I actually have a book which will be finished by the end of this week.”

In fact, Faulk has more than 40 titles available to readers at this time.

Her inspiration comes from everyday life. Some of the situations she writes about are personal; however, many of the topics, she said, are just common issues people face that ultimately bring them closer to God.

Faulk said her writing has been a great ministry and that she has been contacted a few times by readers who were touched by her writing. She has covered several complex issues, including suicide.

Her writing is something she keeps separate from her life as the wife of a pastor.

“I never want people to feel like I am hoisting my work on them,” Faulk said. “The two roles are very separate. Writing is very much my side hobby.”

One work she said she feels especially fond of is a book called “Happily Ever After.” The story is set in Namibia, Africa, where Faulk lived for two years after college as a missionary.

Faulk, who sought a publisher after she finished her first book, said she was not met with an overwhelming reception.

“I thought you had to go through traditional publishing houses at the beginning,” Faulk said. “I did not really get a ‘no’ but I was told that they were not really sure if there was a market for my work.”

Despite not being carried and represented by a publisher, Faulk has done well being a self-published author with her books available through Amazon, Kindle and a few other digital media outlets.

She has developed a small following and said she is content with the way things are going.

“I don’t think I would write outside of this genre,” Faulk said. “I have written a few books for my daughters, but I think my books are really a better fit for the young-adult audience and up; however, I think teenagers could read my books and enjoy them.”

Her advice for anyone who is considering writing is to “give it a go.” She said they should just read everything and write every day.

In addition to her writing on her own deadlines, she is also does her own marketing. While it can be challenging, she said she has met the challenge head-on.

Those interested in learning more about Jenn and her work can find her on Facebook, and the web at Jenn Faulk Books.

 

Story by Morgan Mizell