Jenna Brooke Carlson

Why I Started Writing:

Being an introvert, I grew up keeping a lot of my thoughts and feelings to myself—until I discovered writing. I found it much easier to express myself through written words. Poems and stories were a way to get my ideas out into the world. In middle school, I wrote a poem on cholera (I played a lot of Oregon Trail as a kid.) The teacher shared it with the class, signifying the first time I was acknowledged for my writing. Growing up I had tried so hard to be good at things—dance, volleyball, taming my endless frizzy hair, but writing came naturally.

Authors Who Have Influenced Me:

Robin Jones Gunn influenced me greatly. I grew up on the Christy Miller Series and desperately wanted to find my own Todd someday. Gunn wove a beautiful love story not only of Christy and Todd but of Christy and the Lord. Her stories are engaging, yet wholesome. My own stories reflect the same purpose. I want to provide entertaining, clean stories and characters that resonate with readers.

Lisa Terkeurst is also a great influence. Her writing is extremely raw and real. If I ever write nonfiction, I hope to be as vulnerable as her. Her books make me feel like I have a friend that gets me and understands what it’s like to walk through life when times are hard. We all need that, to know we aren’t alone on our journeys.

Books I Have Written:

Falling Flat is my debut novel. It’s a contemporary young adult story about a teenage girl trying to overcome the pain of her parents’ separation.

What I'm Working On Now:

I'm working on the sequel to Falling Flat. I also write articles for Christian websites and devotions for my church.

Sign up for my e-mail list at jennabrookecarlson.com to hear about current and future projects!