Interview with Jacqueline Wallace

Author of Brokenness to Beauty: Transforming Your Brokenness into a Beautiful Life

Where are you from originally and where do you reside now?

I was born and raised in west-central Michigan but I now live in southern California.

If you currently reside somewhere besides where you were born, what’s the story that lead from there to here?

The short version is that when my husband and I had to move to a warmer clime from cold and snowy West Virginia, where we had lived for almost 20 years directing a ministry to the needy we founded, we headed west to be near our sons and their families. Our two sons, who grew up in southern Cal when we lived there during their school years, had both settled there after college. Being close to family, spending time with our kids and grand kids has been the best thing about moving.

What made you decide to write and publish your first book?

I had never considered writing a book but when I was diagnosed with breast cancer my husband set up a blog for me and I began posting blogs about my cancer journey. Those posts generated a lot of comments from my readers encouraging me to write a book, which I finally realized I needed to do. Brokenness to Beauty: Transforming Your Brokenness into a Beautiful Life came out of my cancer journey blog. The second book, the Brokenness to Beauty Bible Study, was published a couple years later as a companion to the book. It came about when numerous women readers asked if I had a Bible study that went with the book, Brokenness to Beauty.

How would you describe your books to first time readers?

My first book, Brokenness to Beauty: Transforming Your Brokenness into a Beautiful Life, shines a light on the pathway through the valley of suffering. It seeks to encourage, strengthen, and empower its reader on the way to wholeness, joy, and peace in the midst of trials. Brokenness to Beauty Bible Study is a deeper dive into the Scriptures to the Source of transforming your brokenness to beauty.

Who do you feel is most likely to connect with the topics you write about?

Though my journey has been physical suffering, all different sorts of trials in life can and do affect us. The highway to wholeness and peace, however, is the same for us all. So anyone who has suffered or know someone going through physical, emotional, relational problems, or economic setbacks can benefit from the principles shared in the book. Since I am a woman, most likely women will relate to my writing but men have also read and found my book insightful and helpful.

What unexpected or surprising thing did you learn during the process of writing and publishing?

Oh my, I learned so many things! I think one thing that was unexpected, since I had not been in the world of writing and publishing prior to beginning my first book, is that there are more ways today to publish a book than simply going to a traditional publisher. And also, how many people there are online giving good advice on writing, publishing, and marketing. Since many offer free webinars to find out what they offer, you can learn a lot before paying good money for more teaching. All at our fingertips.

If you could, what advice would you give to your past self before embarking on this journey?

When you know you have something of value and substance to say to others, especially when other people affirm it, trust yourself and don’t hesitate to begin the journey of writing. But be prepared to enter a whole new world of information and learn all you can. And don’t give up.

How many people would you ideally like to reach with your books?

Of course, all authors want to reach as many as possible! Within the scope of my genre there are probably hundreds of thousands who could be reached. Ideally, I’d like to reach them!

What has been the biggest challenge and frustration during the process to date?

Ah, the bane of writers: Marketing.

What’s your biggest strengths when it comes to book a) writing, b) publishing and c) marketing?

When I feel I have a message, I will write it. I think that is my greatest strength. Getting it published is doable as well; I’ve done it twice so have some experience in that area.

What’s your biggest weakness when it comes to book a) writing, b) publishing and c) marketing?

The marketing has to be my biggest area of weakness.

When do you think you will write your next book?

At this time, I am not planning a book so I have no idea if I will be writing another or not.

Are you self published or did you use a hybrid publisher, or a traditional publisher?

I took the route of hybrid publishing, using a major traditional publisher’s self-publishing arm.