V. Joy Palmer loves to write romantic and comedic stories that proclaim God’s deep love for us. She’s a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and an avid blogger. In her spare time, Joy loves to sing (especially Disney songs), drink large quantities of coffee, and take flowery photos for Bookstagram. When Joy isn’t fighting with fictional people, she’s hanging out with her husband and their adorable little girl. Connect with Joy via www.vjoypalmer.com!
You can also find Joy on her social media: Instagram / Twitter / Facebook / Pinterest / Goodreads
Welcome to The Engrafted Word Joy! After discovering and reading several of your books, I am so excited to talk with you today! I hope you are doing well, and I know our readers are curious to learn about the wonderful stories you write.
1. When did you first realize you wanted to become a writer?
I was about seventeen when I realized I wanted to become a writer. I have always had a love of words – books, singing and writing songs, making up stories, etcetera. However, it wasn’t until late in high school when God showed me that part of that gifting and calling was crafting stories with Him for others to read.
2. Who or what would you say is your biggest influence in your writing journey?
Authors like Lori Wick, Robin Jones Gunn, Erynn Mangum, Jenny B. Jones, and Allen Arnold have had a huge influence on me! Their stories have done everything from reigniting my love of storytelling to helping me find my voice and genre to inspiring me to dig deeper with God. Additionally, the American Christian Fiction Writers Conference has continued to help me step out of my comfort zone.
3. Writing can be very fun but also very difficult–what words of encouragement would you give to other authors?
Rest your soul, my friend! You can’t pour from an empty well. Some seasons are more difficult than others, and it’s okay to pull back during those times. God is and will use that season of crushing to press out an anointed story that you’ve co-labored over with Him.
4. The ability to write definitely comes from the Lord. Are there any literary paths the Lord led you to that were surprising or changed your life in some way?
In Marriage, Melodies, and Rewritten Conclusions, God pushed me to write a hero who struggled with the guilt and shame of his past sexual sins. I’ve personally seen how similar sins have affected people I love, and it was downright scary to approach in this story. Not gonna lie, I wrestled with this particular theme a lot, and I softened the approach in the eleventh hour before my deadline…only for my editor to tell me to steer into that theme. I’m so thankful for how God used this story to help heal my heart while also opening doors for life-changing conversations!
5. I always like to ask authors if they have any funny writing stories they would like to share. Please tell!
Taylor Swift does this thing where she’ll write people who’ve impacted her life into her songs, and sometimes a similar tendency comes out when I’m writing. An amusing example of this is when my husband and I took our daughter to an amusement park. My daughter and I were waiting in line for a roller coaster. When we got to the line the attendant asked how old. Thinking he was speaking about my daughter, I replied with her age. He then clarified that he meant me, needing to make sure that I was at least sixteen years old and therefore old enough to accompany her on the ride. I was a tad flabbergasted at that… So in my last book, I wrote a similar scene, herby vindicating myself and immortalizing that vindication in print!
6. What current projects are you working on. Please share if you can!
All I can say is that while this project is full of wedding fun, it will whisk you to times gone by! 😉
7.Outside of writing, what other hobbies do you enjoy?
Reading, collecting special editions of books, singing, songwriting, boardgames, and drinking large amounts of coffee. 😉
8. Who are some of your favorite authors and what genres do you enjoy reading the most?
I have soooooo many favorite authors because I love to read so many different genres! Contemporary, YA, historical, fantasy, science fiction, suspense – basically, if there’s a thread of romance, I’m game!
9. Most stories tend to be inspired from life experiences–what are some of your greatest experiences that helped you to pen your next story?
Honestly, it’s my own ongoing love stories, the ones between my Creator and I and my husband and I. Without these love stories continually growing me, pushing me, challenging me, crushing me, pressing me, and blessing me, I couldn’t write. I just couldn’t.
10. I love your books! It always amazes me when an individual writes and publishes a book. Could you share how thrilling that must be? What is it like to know that your words are coming together for others to read?
It’s so thrilling that it can be downright nauseating! Haha! It’s a humbling honor that hits me all over again at each stage of the process. Readers are giving me their time, pieces of their life, and I’m thrilled that I get to do the same for them through my stories.
11. And finally, as a writer, what has been your most rewarding and memorable moment?
Whenever a reader takes the time to share how the story has impacted them! I love to write stories that will (hopefully) make readers laugh and swoon, but when they share how the themes I wrestled over while wondering how anyone could possibly be blessed by this…well, those moments are the greatest gifts to me as a writer!
Thanks for joining us, Joy! Wishing you (and all you readers) a blessed day!
Joy has graciously offered to giveaway a copy of her newest book! This will be a US giveaway, and a winner’s choice of a paperback or ebook copy of Marriage, Melodies, and Rewritten Conclusions.
Enter below!
Contest ends November 12, 2021. The winner will be notified by email. Thanks for entering and happy reading friends!
Hello, Joy. Another beautiful cover. And song writing as a hobby, I can imagine how beautiful they are.
Music and reading–two of my favorite things! Good luck in the giveaway Cara!
Thank you so much!
Great interview, thanks for the chance to win!
Thanks Megan! Good luck in the giveaway!
Thank you so much!
Hi, this book sounds like a great read and the book cover is beautiful! I love to read Mail Order Bride series , the Save The Date series sounds great also. I love romance, mystery and suspense series also. One of my all time favorite series that I have read is the Clan of The Cave Bear series. Have a great day and stay safe.
Reading mysteries is definitely one of my favorite genres. Good luck in the giveaway Alicia!
Thank you so much! The cover designer at WhiteFire Publishing is AMAZING!
One of my favorites is the Inferno Rising series by Abigail Owens. Thank you
You’re welcome Linda! Good luck in the giveaway!
Thank you!
I enjoyed the entire Anne of Green Gables series which is memorable.
One of my very favorite series of books–have you seen the films? Good luck in the giveaway Anne with an e! 🙂
Love Anne of Green Gables! Thank you!!
My favorite series tend to be from long ago like Janette Oke’s “Love Comes Softly” series and the Little Women books by Louisa May Alcott.
I love both of those sets of books! Have you seen the Love Comes Softly films? Absolutely excellent! Good luck in the giveaway Roxanne!
Wonderful classics! Thank you!!
I love all of Connilyn Cossette series.
Excellent choice! Good luck in the giveaway Lucy!
Love, love, lover her books! Thank you!
Thank you so much for having me, Heather!!! <3
It was my pleasure Joy! 🙂