Naomi Jayne

Thanks for stopping by! Here are answers to some questions you might have about me. Because curiosity is an important trait in any writer or reader, right?

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How did I start writing?

Writing and I were introduced to each other by three frenemies, Sleepless Nights, Silent Screams and Torrential Tears. My first writing was a series of desperate letters to God, written in red pen on tear-crinkled paper. Writing slowed my teenage brain's dizzying, conflicting thoughts, and the letters that began in despair ended in hope. Perhaps it's no wonder I love the Psalms, which often follow the same pattern. I still write letters to God, but I have upgraded the tear-crinkled paper of my teenage years to spiral-bound 'venting' books! 

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What do I write?

I predominantly write short stories, creative non-fiction and non-fiction articles, for both secular and Christian audiences. I am currently working on a novel trilogy, and run a devotional blog for young (mostly single) ladies. 

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What (or who) inspires me to write?

God does. I had already been writing for a couple of years. I mostly wrote stories for secular audiences, and had successful publications amongst the many failures (If anyone has a home for rejected short stories, I have quite a few to contribute!) But the Lord specifically challenged me in 2022 to see writing as a ministry of encouragement for other Christians (Isaiah 50:4).

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I also write for practical reasons. Chronic health issues only allow me to work part-time, so writing supplements my income. Writing is hard work but the flexible hours are a blessing.

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What do I love about writing?

That depends on my mood! But I am fascinated by how writing takes us into a foreign and yet familiar world. In one story, I'm an 1860s woman trying to persuade her family that nursing is a suitable career for a young lady. In another story, my protagonist is a contemporary drought-withered farmer trying to make sense of his neighbour's suicide. I've never been in either character's circumstances. But I know what it's like to crave approval, and the heartbreak when someone you love makes a decision you cannot comprehend. Human emotions and needs are universal. 

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What do I least like about writing?

Draft 12. Editing again and again. The longer the project, the more you need to edit and rewrite. My blog posts usually go through the following rounds: one first draft, one complete rewrite and restructure, one spelling and grammar edit, one stage where I ask someone else to read it, then the final stage of editing including their feedback. As for my novels in progress... I've lost count of the number of rounds of editing I've done. 

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Do I talk to my characters as though they are real people?

Of course! 

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​What are my favourite Bible verses?

"Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness." Isaiah 41:10 [KJV]

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"Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest." Joshua 1:9 [KJV]

 

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16 [KJV]

 

"The Lord GOD hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned." Isaiah 50:4 [KJV]

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What am I like in real life?

I'm a flawed human being with chronic migraines, a vision disability and a massive appetite for books. I like cooking, crafts, jigsaw puzzles, writing, and data - anything where you arrange individual elements into a story or picture or something edible. I work part-time as a data analyst and am a full-time Christian, auntie, sister, daughter, friend and church member.

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Oh, and I'm also rather shy. I'm more comfortable with writing words than speaking them. But, I am learning to do both.

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How old am I?

Twenty-eight, last I checked

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Is my hair red?

It's brown. But in a certain light, it looks a bit auburn. 

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