UPDATE: The winner of this giveaway is Gabrielle! Thank you all so much for entering. What a lively discussion in the comments! Gabrielle, please check your email for details.

Hello, writer friends! I have something fun for you today. An interview with author, Jennifer Lindsay, and a giveaway of her new book, The Writer As Protagonist. It’s a book that I genuinely believe will be a great help to young writers (and those always learning!). I had the privilege of meeting Jennifer at Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference a few years back and she’s got so much to offer the writing community.

Here’s a little about Jen:

Jennifer Lindsay is a freelance editor and writer who loves helping other writers discover their voice and re-ignite their passion for writing. Her published works have appeared in magazines, anthologies, devotionals, and on various blogs. When she’s not playing with words, she enjoys embarking on mini-adventures with her young nieces and nephews, visiting her parents mini-farm and getting her hands dirty, and grabbing a cup of coffee with dear friends.

You can find her online at:

Website | Personal Instagram | Professional Instagram

When I saw that her new book had finally released, I jumped at the opportunity to have her here at Go Teen Writers so her awesomeness can rub off on us a little bit. The concept of her book is one that I’ve chewed on a lot over the years (I’ve even written about it some) and I’m so very glad she’s put it on the page.

Read on for more about her book, The Writer As Protagonist, her journey to publication, some stellar writing advice, and an e-book giveaway of her inspiring non-fiction book.


Writers spend years learning the craft of storytelling and how to master the art of creating fantastic worlds. But for many, figuring out the plot of their own writing journey continues to elude them.

What would happen if we approached our writing journey the way we’re taught to approach our stories?

Part writer’s guide, part journal, The Writer as the Protagonist: Using the ‘Hero’s Journey’ to Plot Your Career as a Writer looks at how writers can harness familiar concepts found in captivating stories (both film and print) to map out their own writing journey. Each “Guidepost” concludes with thought provoking questions that will help writers discover their hero type; uncover their core desire and fear as a writer; identify helpful guides, allies, and companions; and how to recognize and respond to antagonists, conflict, and dead ends they face along the way!

Discover what’s holding you back as a writer, and what you can do to move past the pitfalls blocking your ultimate goal: creating a fulfilling career as a writer.


An interview with the author:

Shan: You have a brand-new book out! Your first, yes? I adore what you’ve done here, the whole concept of authors learning from their protagonists. I’m dying to know where you came up with the idea.

Jen: I do! The Writer’s Wellspring) because the only books and blogs being published at the time were about how to get published. There wasn’t much that spoke to and encouraged the creative spirit we’re all born with. But then some super heavy things happened in my personal life and I pretty much walked away from writing for a couple of years.

At the time, I thought God had closed the door on my writing and editing career and we had some very long, bitter (from my end) late-night discussions. I didn’t realize it then, but He had a good reason for walking me backwards during that season. He needed me to come to a place where I started recognizing some areas in my life where I needed healing and restoration before we could begin moving forward again—together.

When I started working on The Writer as the Prota

Shan: I’m hoping to do NaNoWriMo too, Jen! Fingers crossed I hit my deadline and can make that happen. I do want to say a huge THANK YOU for chatting with me! I’m always learning and I love learning from you. Which brings me to this:

THE FUN STUFF!!!

I want to give away an e-copy of Jennifer’s new book because I want to encourage someone’s writer heart, and I believe Jen’s book will do just that.

To enter, simply comment on this post. Easy peasy, right?

You can tell me how Jennifer’s interview inspired you, or you can ask Jen a question about absolutely anything. If we’re lucky, she’ll pop over and answer your questions.

I’ll select a winner on Wednesday, October 20th, and update this post then with the winner’s name up top. I’ll also reach out to the winner directly via email, so when you fill out the comment form, please use a valid address!

And now it’s your turn. Go, go, go!

Shannon Dittemore is an author and speaker. Her books include the Angel Eyes trilogy, a supernatural foray into the realm of angels and demons, as well as the fantastical adventure novel Winter, White and Wicked. Its sequel, Rebel, Brave and Brutal is due out January 10, 2023.

Shannon’s stories feature strong female leads grappling with fear and faith as they venture into the wilds of the unknown. She’s often wondered if she’s writing her own quest for bravery again and again.

It’s a choice she values highly. Bravery. And she’s never more inspired than when young people ball up their fist and punch fear in the face.

To that end, Shannon takes great joy in working with young writers, both in person and online at Go Teen Writers, an instructional blog recognized by Writer’s Digest four years running as a “101 Best Websites for Writers” selection.

For more about Shannon and her books, please visit her websiteInstagramFacebookTwitter, and Pinterest.