Mini-veiw with Lauren Compton (Jayne's Endeavor)

About the Author

Lauren Compton lives in Australia on a sheep farm—surrounded by mountains and plenty of Aussie wildlife! From a young age she has loved books and writing-related things (yep, that includes spending ages in the writing supplies department!). Now she has embarked on a mission to write books that both entertain AND encourage. Her desire is to weave stories that point readers to her Heavenly Father while at the same time being a whole lot of fun! 

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The Interview

​1. What inspired the idea for Jayne's Endeavour?
It was after watching Little Women, that I came up with the first spark of an idea! I can clearly remember flopping down on my bed with a notebook, all inspired! I still have that notebook, and the idea really wasn’t much to go on—but from little things, big things grow! :) I wanted to capture the close family relationships (and of course I loved the historical feel!), but without some of the other things that I didn’t like as much in the movie. I also knew that there was a lack of Australian, faith-based fiction. And so the idea was born!
 
2. What did you as an author take away from writing Jayne's Endeavour?
Well, the project as a whole has taught me a lot of perseverance! It’s also so amazing seeing how God cares for us on a daily basis—providing a scene, the right sentence, or the next plot point! From the story itself, I guess I learnt and explored the themes right along with Jayne! Really trying to think of God as my Father. And coming to an understanding that true joy isn’t based on what’s going on around us, but that we can have true joy when our delight is in God—no matter what!
 
3. Who is your favorite character in this story and why?
Oh! This is kind of hard . . . I really enjoyed so many of the characters in Jayne’s Endeavour. Each was fun to write in their own way!! Of course Jayne is the character I spent the most time exploring! So she is a definite favourite. But apart from her, I liked Jed (some of his speech I patterned off my grandfather, who passed away a few years ago, so when I read back over those parts, it has sweet memories). And then there’s Mrs Arthur, a more minor character—all of her funny sayings and well-intentioned ways make me smile. Ok! I should stop there before I list everyone!
 
4. When you are not writing, what other activities do you enjoy?  Do you have a day job?
I don’t have an official fulltime job, but I find plenty of ways to keep busy alongside the rest of my family! God sends along so many opportunities! :D I love playing the harp, teaching my piano students, pottering around in my new herb garden, hosting Israeli travellers, crocheting, and playing music with my sisters at nursing homes or wherever else the opportunity arises. :D
 
5. Who are some of your favorite authors?
Hmm . . . It’s too hard to pick a favourite author! :D So rather than do that, I’ll go ahead and list a few books I really enjoy! Alone Yet Not Alone by Tracy Leininger Craven, Til We Meet Again by Ray and Betty Whipps (this one is in my favourite genre—narrative non-fiction!), and Within These Walls by Robyn Bavati (a fellow Australian author). Oh! And one other book I read and really enjoyed lately was Through All Things by Malachi Cyr.
 
6. As a debut author, what do you wish you would have known about writing prior to writing this story?
:D Don’t edit your first drafts excessively!! It wastes time and keeps you bogged down rather than moving forward to explore more of the story! There’s plenty of time for polishing later, when things are more final!