Author Jennifer Bosma, who wrote I Know the Plans, is joining me today for an interview! I absolutely adore her picture book, and I’m excited to learn more about her. In case you missed the spotlight and review of her book last week, you can find it here.
Living in Georgia, author Jennifer Bosma worked as a teacher for twenty-three years. Since retirement, she has continued to serve through her work as a children’s author, blogger, and with her involvement in pro-life women’s ministry. When she isn’t working, she loves spending time with her family which includes her two precious granddaughters. She also likes exercising and traveling. Fun fact: Jennifer has walked with lions while traveling in Zimbabwe! She also once applied to be on the television show Survivor.
Check out today’s interview with Jennifer below!
Q) Welcome Jennifer! To get started, please describe yourself in three words.
A) Enthusiastic, Jesus-Loving, and Outgoing.
Q) For some background, how long have you been writing?
A) Since I was in 4th grade – 46 years.
Q) How would you describe your writing style?
A) Easy to read, Engaging, and Life Affirming.
Q) Tell us, how does your faith intersect with your writing?
A) Before blogging, I seek Jesus and ask for his help in all of my blogposts. It is so cool to see Jesus take the direction when I sit down to write the message He wants me to share in my blog. In my children’s books, He gives me vision and then will help me to adapt the text to be engaging to children. It is a blessing to feel His presence as I write.
Q) Why is it important for children to have access to age-appropriate, faith-based books?
A) The world is quick to make books available that are contrary to the Word of God. We need to spotlight books like I Know the Plans that embed scripture into parents’ and kids’ hearts. Children need many Godly resources to counteract the lies of this world.
Q) Tell us about more I Know the Plans which released earlier this month.
A) I have 3 grown daughters and when they were small I learned several powerful scriptures that I incorporated in my nightly prayers with them. I spoke these scriptures to them constantly. Fast forward to the birth of my first granddaughter and her first day home. While holding her, I wanted to read to her, her first book ever. I was looking through the book choices and the idea for I Know the Plans was birthed.
I decided I needed to write a book for this exact moment. It is a book filled with God’s plans (in His point of view) for a child and one of my favorite scriptures is on each page that matches the rhyming text. The illustrations are phenomenal with animal family habitat pictures from all of the continents except Antarctica. The animal illustrations will relate to all children across the world.
Q) What do you hope readers will take away from this book?
A) The scripture promises that are introduced on each page for both parents and children. I want children to understand that God has big plans for their life.
Q) Do you have other works available for readers? Any future books
A) Yes, my first book The Baby Garden is based on Jeremiah 1:5. It is the perfect book for a big brother or sister explaining where babies come from when their mom is pregnant. [The Baby Garden] is in over 300 pregnancy centers in every state. It shares that God has a plan for all babies. I have two more children’s books in the “wings” and two women’s books in cue.
Some of Jennifer Bosma’s Favorites
“I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'”
Jeremiah 29:11
Q) Who is someone that inspires you?
A) Lila Rose with Live Action.
Q) It seems we are nearing the end of our time together. To wrap up, what advice would you offer other authors?
A) Stick with it, don’t give up if you get rejection. It took me 26 years to get my first book published and when God opens up the timing, it’s perfect. Take the leap of faith when God calls.
Connect with author Jennifer Bosma!
Readers can learn more about Jennifer by visiting her website. You can also find her on Instagram.
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This is wonderful Kayla! Thank you so much for taking interest in authors and spotlighting their books. What a blessing you are to the community!
Thank you for your kind words! It was a pleasure getting to know you through the interview, and your book is going to be a blessing to so many.