On today's episode we will be chatting with Jenny Erlingsson, a Nigerian-American born author and speaker. After serving on the pastoral staff of a church in Huntsville, Alabama for twelve years, her family lives in a small village on the southern coast of Iceland, the land of Fire and Ice. She is married to a joyful viking and mother to four adorably, feisty kids. They keep her laughing, challenged and in prayer, all day every day!

She never imagined that she'd have the opportunity to continue her publishing journey in such a special way from Iceland. After years of fighting off discouragement and seeing her call to write reignited, she loves getting to encourage women through her Milk and Honey Women content and support writers through her Milk and Honey Books author services.

As she encourages the writing dream of others, she has seen her own childhood aspirations unfold with the recent release of her debut novel, Her Part to Play. This "modern romance with old-fashioned courage and depth", according to author Patricia Raybon, is a reflection of Jenny's desire to continue to write faith-filled novels that reflect the beautiful and vibrant communities of modern followers of Christ.

Along with working on fiction manuscripts, she's authored several books and creative resources including her most recent, Milk & Honey in the Land of Fire & Ice. This book, along with her book Becoming His, feature Biblical fiction and devotional content used in Bible Studies and small groups. She also writes for various blogs, helps writers publish their books, and speaks at gatherings from Alabama to Austria. She's excited about continuing to share with readers through diverse novels that are deeply rooted—with a touch of romance. Words upon words that she hopes reflect the glory and goodness of God. Jenny is a member of ACFW, Called Creatives, and also writes for and serves on the board of Velvet Ashes, a ministry dedicated to encouraging women serving cross-culturally.

You can learn more about her on her website www.jennyerlingsson.com and follow her on Instagram at @jennyerlingsson.

Support your local bookstore & this podcast by getting your copy of Her Part to Play at Bookshop.org  

A little about today's host-

Shawna Rodrigues left her award-winning career in the public sector in 2019 to consult and publish her first novel Beyond the Pear Blossoms. Her desire to connect and help others led to the launch of her podcast The Grit Show shortly thereafter. When she learned women host only 27% of podcasts, her skills and passion led to the founding of the Authentic Connections Network. She now helps mission-driven entrepreneurs better connect with their audiences by providing full-service podcast production and through a community for Entrepreneurs & Podcasters – EPAC. Podcasting is her primary focus, so she continues to support the writing community through this podcast, and her writing time is mostly focused on anthologies.

She offers a free 7 Steps to Perfect Your Podcast Title to anyone interested in launching a podcast. You can also follow her on Instagram-@ShawnaPodcasts, and learn more about the network and community at https://linktr.ee/37by27.

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Welcome to Author Express. Thanks for checking us out. This is the podcast where you give us 15 minutes of your time and we give you a chance to hear the voice behind the pages and get to know your new favorite author in a new light. I'm Shawna Rodrigues, one of your hosts, a fellow author, host of The Grit Show and Authenticity Amplified Podcast, and the founder of Authentic Connections Podcast Network, which makes this podcast possible. Let me tell you a little about today's sketch. Jenny Erlingsson is an Alabama born author of Nigerian descent who writes romantic fiction and creative nonfiction to encourage deep faith in diverse settings. After working with junior high in women in Alabama, she currently resides in Iceland. Yep.

I said Iceland with her family. Her debut novel, Her Part to Play releases June 18th. So very soon, you can get it on pre order though with Revelle Books. According to Publishers Weekly, Jenny has written a charming debut with chemistry that leaps off the page. When she is not ministering with her Viking husband, her mother and her adorable feisty kids, she can be found writing and reading in the margins with a sight of Icelandic chocolate. Is Icelandic chocolate any good, Jenny?

It's pretty good.

Nice. I don't think I've had Icelandic chocolate.

Yeah. I don't even know how it would differ, but I will say Icelanders put, like, licorice, and I was not a fan. But there are some versions of it with a small amount of licorice, and it's actually delicious. It really is. So yeah.

Just gotta find that right balance. Yeah. I'm not convinced about the licorice and the chocolate, but I love chocolate enough that I'd be willing to find the right chocolate. In Icelandic, candy isn't something that's often exported, so it's not something a lot of people probably had.

No. No. But it really is good. So whenever we go to visit the states, our suitcases are filled not with our belongings mostly, but with candy and chocolate. That's what we give out.

Yes. You have something you can easily bring back. That is the way to go. I like it. I like it. Well, that's a fun segue into our opening question, which is tell us something interesting about where you are from.

Well, as you guys heard, I am from Iceland even though I was born in Huntsville, Alabama. So I'm a southern girl, southern Nigerian girl, if you will. So kind of that mix of, you know, being a child of immigrants and then being raised in the south. But I've been living in Iceland for almost 6 years. My husband's Icelandic. My kids now speak fluent Icelandic. And so if you guys have been seeing, you know, by the time this airs, who knows what's gonna be happening? But as we're talking, we've been having eruptions. So it definitely is the land of fire and ice.

We've had 4 eruptions in the last 4 months. So it's been really interesting. Yeah. Yeah. So when you see sometimes Yes. The pictures and the live streams of the eruptions, and then there's, like, the landscape is covered in snow, I mean, you see this picture of literal fire and ice fire spewing from the ground, you know, in the middle of these snow fields. So it's really an interesting place to live.

Yes. That sounds like it. And so you were born in Alabama. Mhmm. And when was your first trip to Iceland that you remember? Like, was a young child the first time you went to Iceland?

No. My first time was in 2010. Is that correct? Yes. Christmas. Right?

Oh, wow.

My husband and I got married. And, honestly, I don't even know if I ever really knew Iceland existed until we had some young people from Iceland coming to our church for like an internship for a while. And then, of course, my husband, you know, was coming and ended up going to school and doing other things in the community in the states. And so, that's where I learned more about Iceland, but I didn't visit until after we got married and went to go visit his family for Christmas. And then too, it was hard because it's dark. You know, in the winter, we get like 4 to 5 hours of daylight. And then in the summer, of course, you have the midnight sun type thing. Well, I say summer with quotes because it's still, like, a cold spring.

Like, I really want to work. But yeah. So it was yeah. It was very interesting and very hard in a way because it was just, like, it's so dark and dim.

Yes. Especially I because I went to undergrad in Louisiana, so close to Alabama. But, like, that the heat, the warmth there, like, is so different than in other parts even in the states. That's a big change. That's a big change.

Huge change. Huge change. But but it's been great. I mean and the landscape is, I mean, beautiful. And, you know, you have things that here, like, you don't have wild animals. We say there's no wild animals, but there's wild weather. So, you have to deal with that. You know, blizzard type, you know, winds and or hurricane level winds, blizzards, the eruptions, waterfall.

I mean, you just have a variety of things, but no wild animals. So that's good to know.

So don't have to worry about that. That's not a concern. No water moccasins, Nothing nothing like that. No. No crazy snakes. That it's like that. And so are you far enough from the eruptions that you guys feel perfectly safe, or can you actually go and see them? Have you seen them in person, or there's mostly on TV and something to be attention to? Or

Yeah. Mostly on TV. I mean, there was one eruption 2021, that happened that we called our tourist volcano, and it lasted for, like, 6 months. So people were able to hike for about an hour and to go see it because it was like in this valley and so they were able to watch it. And it was funny because these memes were going around like from Lord of the Rings where what is his name? I can't remember. Where he says like, one does not simply walk into Mordor. And then you have the another the icender's like, here, hold my beer, and they're walking towards the towards the volcano. And so, so many friends were like, did you go see them? I'm like, listen, when new fissures are opening up in the ground, different places, no, thank you.

I'm good. No, thank you. Thank you. So, yeah. So where we are in our village, we're about an hour away. So that's actually pretty close. And this latest one, a few days ago, we could actually go to to a certain point in our village and see it because of kinda how those peninsulas kinda stick out. So we could actually see it from our village, the glow and all of that.

So instead of northern lights, we're seeing the glow from, you know, the fire from the ground. But, yeah, but it's far enough away. And and even, I mean, most people who are close by, I mean, Icelanders is kind of part of the lifestyle. They know this is what happens. But these have been a little bit more concerning because of the infrastructure. The Blue Lagoon, if people have heard of that, is close by. And so this whole area is waking up like after 800 years. You know what I mean? So when you have a 800 year pause, you're not considering necessarily seismic activity and the volcanic damage, but it's kind of happening and waking up right now.

So it's weird.

Yeah. I remember hearing about the smoke from the volcano with the air traffic, like, causing challenges.

Yes.

And I live in Oregon, and we had Mount Saint Helens erupted when I was a child. And I lived not an hour away, 5 hours away, and we had Ash where I lived 5 hours away when Mount Saint Helens erupted when I was a child. And so on the West Coast, like, we know volcanoes. That was, like, one eruption. So, like, so when we hear about what you guys are experiencing for me, like, an hour away, I'm like, that's intense. Like, that's close. And the thing about these

is that they're like the fissure eruption. So, like, they're not, like, the one that stopped air travel. In 2011, maybe, AF, you had the Yokud. That was under a glacier, so that's what caused all the ash. But these are just literally the ground cracking open and fire coming up. So, thankfully, it doesn't cause the ash, just like toxic fumes if you get too close, but that's but 5 hours away. Very much motor. That that's

definitely Lord of the Rings. Yeah.

Yeah. It's

Definitely relates. Definitely relates. Yes. That's awesome. Well, let's learn a little bit more about you then. So tell us about for you growing up, like, what's one of your favorite memories as a child?

You know, my favorite memories, I would say, it's like the summertime because I went between 2 different extremes. I love going out sometimes all day with my friends, we're playing. I don't know why we thought we could feed the neighborhood with our easy bake ovens. Like, we would have all these random business ideas that we would be so, like, just in. You know what I mean? Like, we're we, like, make pizza and cookies, and the people are gonna buy our easy bake oven recipes. Oh, yeah. We would go around doing all these things and even things that really looking back probably weren't safe because we lived in an apartment complex while my parents were going to school in Knoxville, Tennessee. And so going from door to door, like, visiting people in their houses, I mean, all that stuff.

But then the other extreme was I would sometimes spend all day literally reading. So I would read, like, 3 Babysitter Club books a day. Nancy Drew's

I love the Babysitter Club!

books. We value that all of us. Yes. So I would spend all day reading sometimes. So just had those 2 extremes, loved being out with my friends, but also found such joy in just sitting or laying on my bed and literally reading all day long.

Yes. Do you remember which babysitter club you wanted to be? I think Stacy or Claudia. I think Claudia was my favorite. I'm trying to remember now.

Yeah. I like Claudia was the one who because I have have a sweet tooth, and I really need, even at my age of 40, help with that. But, because she always had all the snacks. Right? So I love love that. But then also, of course, the newer ones, Jesse, and I can't remember the other one. Jesse was a dancer. Right? So, like, I just loved, like Yes. Them bringing in the younger junior members.

You know what I'm saying? Yes. So yeah. So that was that was always fun to to read. Yeah.

Oh, that's so fun. I love that. That's awesome. So you have a book coming out. That's why we're all here and excited about this. So can you, in 1 or 2 sentences, sum up what it is about? Okay.

Well, I'll say it like this. Sparks fly on and off the set in a Alabama town between a makeup artist who is desperate for income and the actor who once got her fired. So that's kinda how I would sum up that. So you'll have to discover the sparks that are popping off between them.

That is fun. That is a very intriguing premise. I like that. So where did you first come up with your idea for this then?

Oh my goodness. I think there's always just various streams of thought, right, or inspiration.

Yes.

But I think as I was watching a television show and I was seeing some of the behind the scenes that they were showing, of just kind of the movie set and, like, the crew that were part of it. And I just began to think, like, what does it look like? Like, because you're spending so much intimate time, like, especially, like, with the makeup artist, like you're in someone's space. And like in the early morning hours, for hours on end, so I thought like, what kind of relationships or connections develop between people when you're that the trust levels and and all of that. And so just beginning to think about that more and thought about, like, what would it be like if there was a makeup artist who, you know, you're in this actor's space, like, you know, what kind of attraction begins to happen? What rapport develops? But, also, like, what if, like, I don't wanna be in your face because I'm annoyed with you? So you're beginning to kinda think about that premise and, like, what would cause that, and how would those 2 be, you know, come together eventually. And so that's kind of was the seeds of that story.

That is wonderful. And her part to play. That's a great title for that premise. It just goes together so nicely.

Yeah. Yeah. So I was like, before the publisher actually went with it, I was like, yes. Yeah. That was really great. They had decided that was a good title. So

Yeah. It's when it all comes together.

Mhmm.

And do you feel like it being because it is based in Alabama, you know. Does it play the setting play a role a lot in the book?

I think it does in a way because, of course and it was really sweet to write it because being in Iceland, you know, so I get to kind of indulge my a little bit of homesickness in a way talking about it and stuff, which I do feature my hometown, but I made up a fictional town. That way, if I got some details wrong, I wouldn't have people mad. You know what I mean? So Yes. But the setting does because in this setting, this actor kinda is out of his comfort zone. And so he you have this woman who's kinda like, I'm not trying to be your friend, but he's out of his comfort zone and because of him trying to build up his career, he needs to engage more and she's like the best person to help him engage more with maybe giving back or serving, volunteering some way. But also, he recognizes that even though it's out of his comfort zone, it does bring him a sense of comfort. And so the movie set pace is slower than other movie sets he's been on. And then there's something about the town, but, of course, the woman that he's working with who eventually lets him in and builds a friendship with him, that's kind of, soothing him and helping him recover.

You know, he's dealt with kind of a bad boy image and also addiction a little bit in the past. And so this town and the environment does play a huge role in kind of bringing him a sense of home, essentially.

Yes. Do you think that you would have written the same book if you'd written this book 10 years ago or if you wrote it 10 years from now? Or do you feel like who you are now plays into the book a lot?

You know, I think that's a really good question that I think that sense of home because I have felt that as we go back and forth and being in Iceland, especially it's like and it's funny because Iceland straddles the North American and European continents, and so there is this part where home is both places now. And there's a longing to be anchored in a place to feel deeply rooted somewhere, but then also recognizing that your roots go to so many different places. And so that's kind of what I, you know, felt with him. And then in her, she's rooted in this place, but yet she is almost trying prove her worth all the time and doesn't really understand how valued she is. And so I think 10 years ago, those layers probably wouldn't have been there because I wouldn't have felt so acutely what it means. I mean, I was in the same place where I was born, even though I've lived different places, but that's where I was born, that's where my community is, that's where my church is, you know, my side of the family is. And so, you know, you feel more anchored, but I think the layers of longing, of wanting to be maybe some place or feel like you belong even if you're not there consistently definitely plays into it. 10 years from now, that's a good question.

I don't know what what what that would look like, those dynamics. And I would say that I think the older I get, the older my characters get because the things that I wrote, you know, my twenties, you know, they were my age. Right? And so now I'm like, okay. So now they kind of are aging as well, you know, with me. So maybe you would be characters who are a little bit more advanced in years, if you will.

Alright. Well, Jenny, we'll just make a date in 10 years. We'll come back, have this conversation again, and then

you'll see what I'm writing. You'll be

able to, like, really with authority say the answer to that because you'll know. You'll be there, and you'll like, yes. This is how this would be different if I wrote the same book now.

And then maybe I'll look back and be like, man, that book I wrote, oof.

Well, or or at least be able to say like, wow. I've come so far. Like, we'll give it that angle.

Just so that's a better angle. A more positive angle. Yep.

We'll do that. We'll do that. So what is the best way for people to find you if they wanna connect and follow along with you in your writing journey?

Definitely the best way is to go to my website, jimmyearlinson.com, and that there's a page dedicated to her part to play, information about the newsletter sign up, which I tell people, like, the social media streets can be crazy. So if you wanna connect and just kind of Yes. Have a just a more intimate look at someone's life, definitely follow along on the website and the email list. That way, we're not victim to algorithms, you know, all the time. But yes. And then you'll find preorder links for her part to play and just all that information. So I would love to see you there.

Perfect. Yes. We'll have that in the show notes. So you just have to look at your phone if you're on your phone or go to your computer and click on the link, and you'll be able to find that super easily. So our last question for you is what book do you find to be most inspirational or have you found the most inspiration from?

Oh my goodness. That's such a hard I feel like I don't ever really have favorites. You know, I'm the one who, like, looked at, like, 25 wedding dresses. And even when I had mine, I wasn't satisfied. So my default answer, I would say it's the bible because usually I have verses that I pull out from there that kind of anger my novel a little bit of, like, okay, what is this person seeking for, longing for? So I'd be that that default. But I think inspiration wise, wise, there's a book called Mark of the Lion, or actually, Voice in the Wind by Francine Rivers. And they're just so huge and so epic. And I think just the slow burn, like, romance, the setting, all that always brings me such kind of inspiration.

I try to read it every few years because I just love the characters. Those characters, when I read it when I was 16 at first, just really sat with me. And so, that's what I hope to convey in my novels, whatever genre it is, just like that feeling and just you're just wrapped up in a place and you're wrapped up in a character and that you feel the warmth emanating from them and there's change that comes that they linger with you. And so that's what I hope. And so those books, the Mark of the Line series have always just really inspired me that way.

So wonderful. Thank you for sharing that with us. And thank you for being here today, and congratulations on your novel.

Aww, thank you guys so much. It's such an honor to be with you and to get to share and to experience your joy and all that. So thank you so much for the support and just for having me on.

Thank you for joining us. I hope you take a second to give a stars or a review on your favorite podcasting platform. It really makes a difference in folks being able to find us. We'll be here again next Wednesday. Follow us on Instagram at authorexpresspodcast to see who's coming up next. And don't forget, keep it express, but keep it interesting.