Day in the Life | Inspirational Romance Author Dalyn Weller

A few years back, as I sat next to a mom at a gathering and got to know a little more about what makes her tick, I realized that each person I sit next to has a fascinating life story. She happens to be Dalyn Weller, a published inspirational romance author as well as a Christian devotional book on the topic of strengthening yourself with your faith during hard times and dry times for your soul. I have since read her books and wondering what her process and inspiration is like, she graciously interviewed what a typical day in the life looks like for her. Take a peak at an author’s inspiration and interesting tips from her perspective on the ranch as a Christian writer.

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Soap, Cheese, and Writing

Would you please introduce yourself to our readers and a little about you.  How you became an author?

Hello, I’m Dalyn Weller. I’ve lived in Yakima for 17 years on a small horse ranch in West Valley. Before that our family lived in Port Orchard, Washington, where my husband (Doug) is a Captain Paramedic. (Yes, he commutes).

I spent 20 years homeschooling and 17 of them raising dairy goats and making soap and cheese. I’ve always been an avid reader, always knew I wanted to write. But, with little time, I satisfied myself with a blog and reviewing books for various publishers.

Goats for Laptop

In 2017, I decided since I only had one child at home still, I might finally have time to pursue my writing dreams. I began studying writing. It took no time at all to see I had years of learning ahead of me. Not long after that revelation I realized learning the craft of writing, especially fiction, was going to be a lifetime commitment. Being a former homeschool mom, this delighted me. I love to learn.

I didn’t have a computer of my own, so I sold my three best registered dairy goats to another breeder to raise the funds for my first laptop. There is my rags to riches story, except we haven’t gotten to the riches yet.

A typical day in the life of an author

My typical day is morning coffee and Bible. After our son goes to school, I do the barn chores, a load of laundry, get something out of the freezer to cook for dinner, and get ready for the day. I treat writing as a job, because it is. I generally write from 10 to 3 with breaks for walks with the little dogs in between writing sprints. I may be writing a first draft, rewriting, or editing.

If I’m reading a manuscript through and doing final edits and proofs, I work longer than usual. Because I don’t have the resources to hire an editor, I have taken courses and read craft books on editing as well as writing.

Being an author isn’t just writing and glamour

After my writing day is over, I may have marketing to do, reading for other authors, reviews, or contests to judge. If nothing else, I like to read other books for pleasure. I make dinner, take care of our son and our granddaughter (5 days a week) and do more laundry and barn chores.

One thing about being an Indie author is, you work your tail off. The friendship of other writers in the Christian writing community has to be enough of a reward, because nobody throws a party after you work hard for months and finally publish your next book. Generally, I get an ” Oh that’s cool. What’s for dinner?” So it’s not a bit glamorous!

Writing Inspirational Romance

You wrote and published a romance novel, I’ll Be Yours for Christmas, this last year. Would you describe it a little for us?

Sure! I’ll Be Yours For Christmas wasn’t the first novel I’ve written, but it was the first novel I’ve published. Here’s a description Susan May Warren helped me write about it:

Christmas magic happens in the Cascade Mountains…The last thing reclusive children’s book author Noelle Albright wants is an intrusion of her quiet world. Noelle just wants to be left alone to rebuild her life—and her muse– after the death of her husband and baby. She doesn’t need her noisy neighbors suddenly opening up their tree farm for the entire world. Don’t they know Christmas only brings heartache?

Colton Howell has big dreams…but they don’t include a tree farm in the Cascade Mountains. Or a crazy neighbor. Colton longs for a place to call his own. After growing up in foster care and living the past six years in the dust of Afghanistan, he has plans to move to Alaska where big money awaits. Maybe there he can build a new life. When his plans are interrupted by a call for help from his foster father, his sense of responsibility sends him back to help manage the Christmas tree farm. But the crazy lady next door might just get in the way.

The Christmas tree farm holds magic…As the season settles upon them, Colton realizes he’s in over his head. And Noelle can’t seem to stay away from the farm…at least if her dog has anything to say about it.

Somehow she finds herself working alongside Colton…and opening her heart to find new possibilities. Colton discovers that maybe he’s found the dream he’s always longed for. But there’s a saboteur afoot…They’ll have to work together to save the farm, the community’s efforts to help foster children this Christmas… and their broken hearts.
*Includes discussion questions

Your heart for fostering children really shines throughout the book. Can you tell us why you picked this platform for your book?

Our youngest son was adopted from foster care. We fostered infants and young children for almost 5 years. I was in a foster home as a child and my husband was adopted from foster care. It’s kind of a bid deal in our family.

Clean Contemporary Romance

I appreciate that your romance has a good balance of physical attraction and character / mind attraction without being stodgy or riske´.  It is a rare thing these days to find a romance that doesn’t go “overboard” with the physical scenes.

Thank you, I believe we as Christians can show the difficulties in navigating romantic relationships with the temptations that come along with physical attraction. What we do with those temptations is the most important thing, so I like my characters to have that tension and conflict in my stories. It’s real. I don’t pretend it’s not a problem, but I don’t write anything I wouldn’t want my kids or grandkids to read as teenagers. I write strong heroines and honorable heroes, often broken or troubled with past mistakes who are reaching to do right and grow.

“I write strong heroines and honorable heroes“

Dalyn Weller

A devotional book as a form of worship

In one scene between Colton (the leading man) and his adopted father, there is the description of some men meant to meander and some meant to be builders but all needing roots.  This is a beautiful scene with so much wisdom.  It also hearkens to another book you’ve written Rooted and Blooming.  This book is in a different genre, can you tell us about it?

Rooted & Blooming, Flourishing In Desert Seasons is a 40 day devotional and the first book I published. It’s available all over, in e-book, print, and audio. Locally you can find copies at Inklings Books and Sundance Espresso (my favorite coffee shop). That book came from my personal struggles with overcoming hardship by rooting down into Jesus and the timeless truths of Scripture.

I love your analogy of the twisting action of fiber spinning like twisting into Jesus to become stronger and the three cord strand.  Another example in your Rooted and Blooming that I love is the beautiful blooms that only the eyes of the Lord witness.  That is what we see in the inner emotions and struggle in your main character Noelle in the above romance novel. 

I think those examples might be themes in my own life I’m working out through writing. My way of answering questions. My writing is a form of worship, I think. I spend a lot of time in prayer and seeking God during my writing sessions.

Upcoming Books

You have 2 other books in line to publish, can you give us a hint of what those are?

Writing Tips: How can a beginner start writing?

As a writer,  what advice would you give to aspiring authors i.e. how to hone the skills, organizations you recommend for writers, particular journal  Bibles you like, etc.?

Well, my favorite Bible is The Keyword Study Bible. I have it in a few translations, but my current favorite is the CSB. As far as my advice to aspiring authors, I strongly suggest you get some great craft books to start. I like James Scott Bell and Susan May Warren. Writing well is important, but even more so is learning to tell a story. There is a structure to learn, it’s a matter of brain science. Fascinating!

Another thing would be to join at least one local writing association. I belong to The Northwest Christian Writer’s Association/ American Christian Writers and I go to as many writing conferences as I can. The Olympic Peninsula Writer’s conference in the fall is great, and I hope it starts up again after restrictions are finally lifted. For now, I’m enjoying conferences online. There are really so many.

Sign up for newsletters, read blogs, there’s honestly no end to the resources out there if you want to join the writing community and learn the craft. It’s never too early or too late to start.

I joined the Nobel Academy three years ago and it was the best thing. I’ve taken courses from more authors than I can count now including Jerry Jenkins, Ted Dekker, and Margie Lawson. I see those expenses as an investment for a slow-moving career. Writing is hard. I mean hard, if you’re doing it right. The more you learn, the more you realize you don’t know.

Writing is a challenge but it’s also a journey with the Lord. I’ve always wanted to write and even if no one else liked the books, I’d keep doing it.

Thank you Dalyn for taking the time to give us a peak into your world!

Thank you, Jessica, for a fun interview. Blessings!

Writer’s Resources:

• The Northwest Christian Writers Association
• American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW)
• The Olympic Peninsula Writers
• Jerry Jenkins workshop
• Ted Dekker workshop
• Margie Lawson. workshop

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