Coming from a twenty-year background in ministry and community leadership, Jamie Lee Zenteno is well seasoned in delivering the gospel. Through experiences that God has allowed in her life, she believes that the Lord has given her the ability to see people as He does. Jamie Zenteno Ministries was forged in 2023 with hope of serving others in their healing journeys. Jamie Zenteno was born to wonderful parents and raised in the small town of Santa Fe, Texas. She continues to reside in her hometown with her two wonderful daughters. Often, you may find them spending weekends at a softball field or horse arena.
What inspired me to become an author?
One could say there are a few inspirations which sparked my penning a manuscript. First, would be my mom. She always had a heart for writing inspirational pieces when I was a child. I loved the simplicity yet the timeless art of writing in which to reach people’s hearts beyond the parchment. Second, would be the testimony The Lord has given me. It is mine, despite being hard at times, I know it was all meant to grow me in different ways and to share with others with the hope they too could find strength.
How I became an Author.
Regardless of whatever type of author, one decides to fashion, I have found it best to formulate some sort of plan detailed or not in order to move forward with one’s goals. For me that plan went something like this:
Title/Subtitle
Chapter titles
Taking a journal and brainstorming what each chapter would be about.
Organizing those thoughts and weeding out the ideas to formulate the best content per chapter.
Dedicating time and a peaceful mental capacity to write the chapters. My favorite place to write was by the ocean with coffee in hand.
Writing the content of the book took 2 years and 9 months. Then I spent another five months researching publishers, submitting manuscripts and having phone calls with them to make the best educated decision before signing a contract.
From the date the contract was signed, it would take another 6 months for the book to go from the raw state, three edits, the copyright process to a finish product in hand and online.
The final decision in selecting Lucid Books as my publisher was simple. They made me feel at home with their diligence in combing over my manuscript before our initial phone consultation. It meant the world to me that they took time to read it without being fully invested. During their professional review with me, everything felt peaceful. I am a firm believer that when The Lord is intertwined within a project and its details, He will make it abundantly clear the path forward
Q/A:
What has been your biggest challenge as an author?
Fear has been my biggest deterrent.
Who is your biggest writing inspiration?
My two beautiful daughters have been my inspiration. I always want them to know it’s ok to dream big in any way, to persevere passionately and to grow through anything they go through. I have always thought, how can I expect them to pursue their dreams if I do not do the same for mine? Thus, it was easy for me to put into motion this book in order to set a respectable example for them.
How do you beat writer’s block?
When I find myself in this predicament, I’ll engage in one of my other creative outlets or immerse myself in one of my favorite places in nature. i.e.: water color painting, gardening, photography, horseback riding, the hammock in the backyard or the rocks by the sea.
What advice would you give to aspiring authors?
To the aspiring author with big dreams – don’t let the hurricanes stop you from pressing forward. For they are only temporary. Take your breaks if you must but your sunshine is closer than you think.
Book Synopsis
The Sea Glass Soul takes the reader through the process of how sea glass is formed and shows how that process parallels the stages we go through in life. We start with shattered pieces and then fight our way through oceans of experiences as we are sifted among a host of elements to be adorned with refinement. How exactly does one go from being broken to understanding their intrinsic value? What happens when we get stuck amongst the rocks? How can we recognize when we need to keep working on a particular area?
The Sea Glass Soul helpfully includes journaling prompts in each chapter to guide the reader in examining how God can use difficult seasons for their benefit. I authentically share my own tempering journey through various hardships, which include caregiving for loved ones, coping with broken and lost relationships, and an immense internal struggle to find her own value. This story of overcoming offers to walk with the reader as they find peace from reflection and embrace the immeasurable worth to be found in their sea glass soul.
Your story may not be like mine. Or you may have heard highlights of exactly what you’ve experienced.
Either way your story isn’t done until you wash up on that shoreline and God reaches down to pick you up and He says “Wow, how beautiful.”
To order my book please CLICK HERE.
