Tag: Interviews

A.M. Heath | Author Interview

Published on by Amanda Tero4 Comments

Today, I have a fellow Indie author — who has become a great friend — over for an interview! I got A.M. Heath’s books last December and within two days, read them both (granted, I was sick and had nothing “better” to do). If you’re a Civil War fanatic, you will want to pick up these books! And the good news is: they’re only 99 cents on Amazon right now! To make it easier for you to go and purchase your own copies, book 1 is here and book 2 is here. You’re welcome! 😉

In a nutshell, what do you write​?​
Christian Fiction or Christian Romance. At the moment, I’m in the middle of a multi-generational series. The first three books cover the Civil War and the last two are set in the present day. But at the heart of everything I write there is at least a touch of good, clean romance AND a God-centered message. 

Amen! And readers like me really, really, appreciate this!! What spurred on the desire for writing​?​
I think I’ve always wanted to write. For as far back as I could remember, I went through seasons where I wrote my own stories. As an adult, I started writing just for fun, but it soon turned into something more serious. 
Now, I’ve come to see that it’s God’s will for my life and the “spurring” comes from Him and the characters that refuse to be silenced. 🙂 

Definitely can identify there! How do you balance writing with living — or is writing your full-time job?I’m a stay at home mom with 4 kids so balance is a really big deal. So how do I balance my life? First of all, I should tell you that I often feel like I’m anything but balanced and am constantly turning back to the basics and starting over. 🙂 But Christians are great repenters, right?!
I have found the key to balance is to understand that your time is NOT your own. It’s God’s. So you need to be ready and willing to be where He wants you in each moment of each day. If I have a sick child at home that might mean snuggling on the couch or running to the doctor’s office. It might mean setting aside my work to chat with a friend who is hurting. Or spending my plotting time doing the dishes and the laundry (which is a great place to plot, by the way!) When you understand that your time isn’t YOURS, it becomes easier to roll with the punches without getting frustrated. I typically wake up everyday seeking God’s will for my day. I also pray for God’s blessings on my efforts since my time is limited and the work pile is great.
Knowing that curve balls are a normal part of my life, I try to make certain adjustments to help ensure that I’m getting a solid writing session. I cannot write when my kids are around. The constant “mommy!” interruptions are just too much for my nerves not to mention my creative thinking. So I don’t even bother trying. Instead, I focus on something that I CAN do while my children are running through the house and save my writing for the quieter hours. Lots of trial and error has taught me some things about myself that I can put into practice to ensure a better writing session. For example, I’ve learned that picking up a fiction book interferes with my creative thinking so I’ve learned to write first and read last. So don’t be afraid to try new things. Even if it fails, you might learn something about yourself that will help you find what works best for you and when you can get the best quality of writing time.  
So the key to balance is to 1) Seek God’s will for you day/hour 2) Plan to work when you don’t plan to be interrupted 3) Pray for God’s blessings on your efforts 4) Don’t be afraid to try new things 5) When all else fails, just roll with the punches. More than a book, God is writing the story of my life. How I handle upsets really does matter. And who I choose to spend my time on matters also. 

Wow, I’ll have to revisit that answer! That’s basically what the Lord has been teaching me (again and again) — to put Him first and leave the minutes of writing up to His blessing.
Who do you hope to reach with your writing?I hope to both the believer and the unbeliever. It’s my constant prayer that the Lord will use my work, whether it’s a post on social media, a blog post, or one of my novels, to edify and draw the Christian closer to Him while also being a witness to the Lost. 

If someone asked you for your best writing tip, what would it be?I like to keep a collection of encouraging quotes displayed on my desk. Here’s one of my favorites: 
“This is how you do it: You sit down at the keyboard and you put one word after another until it’s done. It’s that easy, and it’s that hard.” – Neil Gaiman
I had stumbled upon this quote at a time in my writing career when I was struggling. This simplified version of a writer’s life helped me to set aside the big picture and just focus on the next word. I was so moved that I blogged about the experience. You can read the full lesson here: https://amheathblog.wordpress.com/2015/02/16/learn-how-to-climb-mountains/

What are three things that you greatly enjoy doing?

Wow, only 3 things….
1) I love to be creative. I’ve been coloring as an adult before it was the new fad. Lol I also love being creative with the camera (since my hands refuse to be talented with a paint brush or pencil). And being creative in the kitchen for sure!! I love to play with colors, textures, and table settings when I cook. If I didn’t spend so much time writing Christian fiction, I would definitely be food blogging! Lol I’m also a cake decorator and it’s where this artist “paints.”
2) I love to relax. And I do that in many ways: snuggling with my family on the couch, reading a good book, drinking tea or coffee (hot or iced! I take it all!!! Lol), taking in some quiet time outside, napping, and snacking. 
3) And I also really enjoy serving my Lord. I love to witness to the Lost, teach my children and those in my Sunday School class, and encourage other believers to persevere and cling to Christ. 
Thanks so much for your wonderful answers! I had so much fun reading them!
ABOUT A.M. HEATH

Bio: Besides being an Indie Author, I’m a wife, mother of four, children’s Sunday School teacher, sweet tea drinker, history fanatic, romantic, bubbly, lover of broccoli, and cake decorator who has a soft spot for Christmas trees, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, and sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ.
What I’m not is a laundress (or at least not one who keeps up very well), a duster, tall, or patient in a doctor’s office.

Keturah Lamb | Author Interview

Published on by Amanda Tero2 Comments
This week, we have Keturah over for an interview!

First off, tell us a little bit about your books.
I haven’t published anything, but I’ve written many, many short stories, most of which I think of as master pieces, lol. Included in those are an original fairy tale, a Beauty and the Beast retelling, a story about a girl and her 13 outlaw boy cousins, and a retelling of the Pied Piper story. I also wrote a Novella called Silent Thoughts, which I am hoping to publish soon. I just completed another short story called When Souls Breath On, about a young girl in charge of her retarded brother, on a strange and soul-changing journey – beneath the waters.

And yes, for novels. Those are coming! My first is almost written, and I have several others in the making! 🙂

I don’t necessarily write in a specific genre. I just write stories about people living life and having to make choices – or sometimes making choices that will lead them to some place they never imagined.
I write stories about people journeying through their thoughts and emotions, and going through hard things. I write comedy, sadness, laughter.

I write it in my fiction. And in my non-fiction and articles – I write things that I’m passionate about.

Sounds like some exciting times are ahead for you with getting your writing out in the world! What spurred on the desire for writing​?​I really don’t know. I have just always wrote. And read. And wrote. I’ve always knew I should write.

When I was little it was weird short stories.
Then grew into a bunch of poetry and even a song.
I had a bunch of good ideas for stories at a young age, but I couldn’t write them for some reason.
Until I found Go Teen Writers. They gave me the encouragement to JUST write.
But even that wasn’t enough. I had joined a knitting site called Ravelry. On here I found a community of like-minded girls, and I joined their monthly writing challenge.
Here I found the motivation (especially since there was a time limit) to complete a story, and found the support of others reading and liking my stuff.
From there I joined a Go Teen Writer’s challenge to write 100 words a day for 100 days with a friend.
I say I write because I have to. But I’m also extremely extroverted and a people person, so I also wrote for others – and to show others that we don’t have to live in unreality, but accept life as a beautiful gift from God.

How do you balance writing with living — or is writing your full-time job?

It’s quite hard, honestly. And being extroverted and living an active life doesn’t help any.
I’m the oldest of 11 children. I have a babysitting job and several housecleaning jobs. I do custom sewing, knitting, embroidery, and such, plus I have a lot of friends and keep my social life busy.
But I still try to write every day.
I do my daily journaling every night before going to sleep (I’ve been doing this since age 11 and only skipped a handful of days.)
I work on my stories one at a time…and force myself to keep at it.
I have decided to write once a week for my blog and every other for another blog. And I do.
Sometimes the post isn’t done until the night before it’s scheduled – but it always gets done.

You’re definitely more committed to your journal than I am! Who do you hope to reach with your writing?
Any one needing joy or hope in their life. So basically everyone.
I want to show all that there’s beauty in whatever situation you are in. I want to give them a story they can enjoy and laugh at and find hope from.
And I also want to show them that despite others saying contrary, God does exist and does care.

Nice goals. If someone asked you for your best writing tip, what would it be?
Keep writing. And that writer’s block doesn’t exist. It’s just an excuse to not write. If that still doesn’t work – then why are you writing?
Find a reason worthy of doing what you are doing, then get last what you feel like doing – not writing – and write!

Hmm…great tip! What are three things that you greatly enjoy doing?
Three things only! Wow…
Ummm…
1. Dancing!
I love to dance, especially fast extricate dances. My favorite are Posties Jig, Cotton Eye Joe, and the Cupid Shuffle – for those that don’t dance those are three totally different dances, haha!!! 😉
2. Knitting.
I love to do textured things and use bright colors and make up my own patterns. I really like to make socks and hats. Love hats. Like I really, really like hats.
I used to never be seen with out a hat of some sort – normally a cloth fishing type of hat. Now I hardly wear hard as much…but still love them!
3. Reading books or studying any interesting fact.
I have always collected books…and own boxes and boxes of books (all organized by the author). And most of them are old books. I love R. M. Ballantyne, Robert Louis Stevenson, George Macdonald, C. S. Lewis, L. M. Alcott, Katherine Paterson, and Nancy Drew mystery books. Katherine Paterson is probably my favorite author…and I would love to write like her! And I love studying and reading non-fiction books, biographies, history, mythology, some philosophical stuff, and such! 

Sounds like a lot of fun stuff! I’m so glad to have you here on my blog and get to know you better! Best wishes on your writing!

ABOUT KETURAH
Hi! I’m just a crazy almost 20-year old writer – that loves to make people laugh most of all. Laughter and joy are necessities in life, I believe, but I still love it when my writing makes people cry, think, or change their mindset and the world around them.
That’s what I really love – getting reactions out of people. But more than that? I like to help people make a difference. I want to be a part of God’s great work in changing the world through His people with  kindness, unselfishness, and servant-like love.

Other places my readers can connect with me:
Facebook: Keturah Lamb
Facebook Page: Keturah’s Korner
Twitter: @KeturahAbigail
Instagram: Keturah Lamb
Email: keturahskorner(@)gmail(dot)com
Fashion Blog: A Pinch Of Classy

Claire Banschbach | Author Interview and Book Review

Published on by Amanda Tero3 Comments
This week I have both an interview and book review. If you like non-magical fantasy, check out Claire’s Rise of Aredor series!

INTERVIEW
1) In a nutshell, what do you write​?​
I write fantasy/adventure books, mostly for teenagers. But I want anyone of all ages to be able to enjoy my stories. Mainly I want to write clean adventure stories that are worth reading.

2) What spurred on the desire for writing​?​
Basically I had an entire book in my head for almost five years. These characters were always there and I enjoyed hanging out with them. Then one day, I decided to pick up a notebook and a pen to see if I could get it all on paper. Once I discovered how much fun writing and letting myself brainstorm new stories was, I never stopped.

3) How do you balance writing with living — or is writing your full-time job?
I’m currently in Physical Therapy school, which takes up most of my time. So during semesters, I don’t get to do a lot of writing since I’m always studying for something. During breaks is when most of my writing gets done. But I have a weekly serial story I publish on my blog, so that makes me write something at least once a week.

4) Who do you hope to reach with your writing?
Anyone and everyone! I know it’s something authors say a lot, but it really is true – if my stories can impact at least one person’s life, then that will make me happy.

5) If someone asked you for your best writing tip, what would it be?
Don’t force yourself to write. I’m not a big proponent of the whole “you must write every day or so to break out of a slump” thing. If you don’t want to write, then don’t. It’s my thought that your writing will be better when you actually want to do it. And maybe that’s just the lazy person in me talking. 😉

6) ​What are three things that you greatly enjoy doing?
1. Reading. Obviously.
2. Horseback riding. I started lessons when I was 12, but it’s been a while since I’ve
been on a horse due to school and everything. 😦
3. Hiking. It’s something I don’t get to do very often, but I love it!

7) You created your own world for “The Rise of Aredor” series. How did you go about doing that?
Landscape wise, I took some inspiration from a few other books and the rest was just countryside that I personally like. Culture wise, Lawhead’s Arthur and Robin Hood books helped me develop a fascination for ancient Welsh culture which inspired Aredor. I’ve always loved anything Irish or Scottish (I used to Irish dance) which inspired Braeton. As for Calorin, some people have noticed that the name resembles a Narnian country which indeed did inspire it, but I also think that Arabic culture is fascinating as well. So with that long winded answer, I basically took elements of cultures that fascinate me and used them as a basis to construct my world.

8) What was the thing you enjoyed most about writing “The Rise of Aredor” series?
Since Corin is the main character, he’s obviously my favorite. But I love his and Aiden’s friendship, so basically any scene with them together, no matter the situation, was always a blast to write.

9) What was the hardest thing about writing “The Rise of Aredor?”
The girls. Weird answer I know, but I tend to find that writing guys is easier than girls. Odder still since I only have one brother and six sisters, so I don’t have a lot of experience with the male persona. Anyway, out of the three main female characters in the series it was a bit more difficult to construct individual characters and not have them quite so cardboardy.

10) How are your other books different from “The Rise of Aredor?”
The new series I’m working on right now is a little different in the fact that it’s magical fantasy. With most of my other books I’ve started to include more noticeable religious overtones, something that The Rise of Aredor series does not really contain as far as giving a message of faith. It’s been fun but challenging so far to work it in.

ABOUT CLAIRE

Claire Banschbach was born and raised in Midland, TX, the fourth of eight children. She was homeschooled through high school and is now a proud member of the Texas A&M University class of 2014. An avid reader of Lord of the Rings, Narnia, and many other adventure novels, Claire was prompted to begin writing her own fantasy novel at seventeen after several years of daydreaming.

She continues to write in her spare time (and often when she doesn’t have spare time). When not scratching out stories and homework with pen and pencil, Claire partakes in the joys of watching the Boston Red Sox, Aggie football, and playing volleyball. She hopes her strong foundation in God will help to guide her writing. 

She is currently working on her Doctorate of Physical Therapy at Texas Tech Health Science Center.

Connect with Claire:
THE RISE OF AREDOR

ABOUT THE BOOK
20512334Lost in a foreign land and separated from his family, Corin does his best to survive as a slave in the household of a Calorin lord. With newfound friends he fights for survival in ambushes and wars. For one act of bravery, he is awarded his freedom and returns to a home that has been invaded and ravaged by the Calorin armies. When Corin sets foot on Aredor’s shores, he has one goal in mind: find his family. He is driven into the forest, where he is reunited with childhood friends. From the shelter of the woods, they begin a spirited rebellion against Corin’s former cruel master, who now holds sway over Aredor. Follow Corin’s path in his quest to free his imprisoned brother, find a father who has vanished, and ultimately free his country in The Rise of Aredor.

MY REVIEW
This book is divided into two segments or “books” (Book One: The Phoenix Guard, Book Two: Hawk Uprising), basically defining two parts of Corin’s (or Hadmid’s) life.

I couldn’t really discover a plot for the first part of the book — it seemed like the story was being driven from event to event, told in an overview sort of way. I didn’t really get “into” the characters. However, when it came to the second book, I thoroughly enjoyed it! There was definitely a strong plot as Corin set to work at finding his family and summing up the courage of the Aredorians. In some ways it made me think of Robin Hood.

There were a few things that I either missed or they weren’t there — for example, who was the inside informant of Lord Rishdah?

What I liked:
– I appreciated the “no magic” in this book!
– It was very clean as far as no morally compromising situations (really, no romance at all), no bad words; there weren’t any scenes that made me feel uncomfortable
– Karif. You’ll have to read the book to find out who Karif is. 😉
– The humor. Ah! I did laugh a few times throughout this book!
– I didn’t find it extremely gruesome, though about 90% of the book was descriptions of war and fighting. There were tortures, but they were mentioned, not detailed.

What I didn’t like:
– I can’t call this a Christian book. The higher powers of Zayd and Lleu is mentioned. Hope of earning a place in Lleu’s halls.
– I’m not big on dreams, and there were two scenes: one where Hamid dreamed that a dead friend warned him of upcoming danger, another where a wounded man dreamed that he talked with a messenger from Lleu then was healed. Those were just a little weird to me.
– From a fictional point of view, I enjoyed it. They seemed to always get the inside scoop, always be one step ahead, always have mistakes turn into victory, etc. (exception at the climax, of course) If I wanted to read a story where the good guys always managed to be smarter and more skilled than the bad guys, this was it. But if you like realistic stories (which, I tend to…), too many good things happen to make it believable.

Overall, I enjoyed this book and am looking forward to reading The Wildcat of Braeton in the next month or so!!!

*I received this book from the author in exchange of my honest review*



Kellyn Roth | Author Interview

Published on by Amanda TeroLeave a comment
Today is the start of a fun weekly event on my blog: author interviews!! Some of these authors, I have just discovered and haven’t read their books yet (like Kellyn), others, I have already read their books, and am sure you’d enjoy them as well.

1) In a nutshell, what do you write​?​
I’d say I write historical fiction with a dash of Christianity. I like the idea of writing romance, but have a terrible fear of it ending up sounding corny. Overdone romance is one of my biggest pet-peeves, and I certainly don’t want to write it! I guess I’ll just have to make sure someone with more common sense than me reads it if I end up writing more romance-y novels. I’ve always dabbled in fantasy and steampunk … but nothing has been good enough to publish as-of-yet. Oh, and I wrote a couple contemporary pony stories a while back that I might rewrite should my adoration of books about horses return. I doubt it, though. 😉

2) What spurred on the desire for writing​?​
“The voices in my head” is my stock answer for when people ask me this. But, really, I don’t know. I’ve been writing ever since I could talk … poetry, songs, short stories, little bits of prose … and I’ve never stopped. I always loved words and characters. My love for plots came later as I began to read, and I started wanting to make my own. Though for the longest time I had no writerly aspirations.

3) How do you balance writing with living — or is writing your full-time job?
Well, I have a pretty relaxed schedule. I’m homeschooled, and I have an average of 2.5 things to do a week during the school year (not counting church). During the summer, it’s a lot less. I usually am able to find a couple hours to write every day.

4) Who do you hope to reach with your writing?
At the moment, I’m writing for upper middle grade and young adult readers, although I think some adults might be interested, too … it really depends on the person. However, I’d like to write for adults in the future (once I am one myself) and smaller children. I’ve always adored kids (I kind of am one myself still), and I really want to write interesting books for them. Also, I’d like to write light, happy books that a mom could spend an afternoon reading while her toddler naps. I know this sounds shallow, but my main goal isn’t to touch people or bring them to God or anything like that … it’s just to make them happy and give them entertainment,  and perhaps to spark their imaginations a little (which is a goal a bit more worthy). And … that sounds like just Disney … But, you know, Disney’s great, and I have no objections to touching people in my own way like old Walt did.


5) If someone asked you for your best writing tip, what would it be?Well, I don’t know. I’m a rookie writer myself … I don’t think I have any great advice to share with the world. 🙂 How about, um … show, don’t tell! (wow, the was cliché!)

​6) What are three things that you greatly enjoy doing?

Um, let me see, sky-diving, shooting baby deer, and … ok, I’m kidding, I’m kidding. I’m terrified of heights, and I like Bambi just as much as the next girl. Three things I enjoy doing … let me see … horseback-riding, swimming, and reading (which is kind of a given). 🙂


Links and Books
My website: http://kellynroth.wix.com/author (which I almost never update … and on which the formatting is off)

About the Author
Kellyn Roth lives with her parents, two little brothers, incredibly needy cat, and faithful border collie Gidget on a ranch in the country. She has been reading obsessively since she was seven, writing poetry and short stories since she was eight, and writing novels since she was ten. Her goal is to write historical fiction novels (which slight branches out into other genres) with Christian themes. Her debut novel, The Dressmaker’s Secret, can be found on Amazon.

Books for Christian Girls blog | Interview

Published on by Amanda Tero2 Comments
A few months ago, I stumbled across a blog that has become one of my favorites to look at for book reviews. The blog is “Books for Christian Girls” run by Lindsey. Today, Lindsey has graciously joined me in an interview.

Books for Christian Girls

Me: What inspired you to start “Books for Christian Girls?”
Lindsey: It was definitely a God thing! About three years ago, I had first searched “Christian books for teen girls” on Google trying to find books that I could read! I had already read all of Melody Carlson’s teen books and was hunting for more. The first search resulted in me reading the Christy Miller series by Robin Jones Gunn, a classic in my mind for teen girls. The Bible was of course mentioned, but the rest of those suggested on Yahoo! Answers were not Christian. Fast forward a couple months later, when trying to search again, wishing that there was a blog with reviews for Christian girls, a peaceful Voice came over me and whispered “You can do it, Lindsey.” I felt at peace with the idea, so, I prayed and did! (I won’t admit how long it took me to come up with the name ‘Books for Christian Girls’) BFCG has been a fantastic blessing from the Lord and I’m so glad He told me to do it! 🙂

Me: I noticed that you have a very detailed rating system. What were some deciding factors in creating this rating system?
Lindsey: I’ve always been a detailed person, so it just came natural to have a detailed scale for content in books. A not-detailed kiss (Basically: “He kissed her.” that’s it.) might be okay with some, but they might not want to read a detailed or even a semi-detailed kiss. BFCG lists everything that someone might find offensive. So when you read a BFCG review, ignore the things that don’t bother you, but take notice of the things that do.  
Me: I have definitely found that super helpful when I’m looking at your reviews. 🙂 Thanks for including those details!

Me: What do you find as one of the biggest rewards, doing BFCG?
Ooh, that’s a tough one! You mean besides the free books I get? Hahaha! While that’s a fun bonus, I would say the biggest reward is when girls near my age (or moms) comment saying that BFCG helped them find their new favorite book! It’s a pretty neat thing to hear back from girls who loved a book I recommended. 🙂

Me: I noticed you have 365 books on your goal to read for Goodreads. You must be a fast reader. 🙂 About how long does it take you to read a book? (obviously, depending on its length) 
I’m so excited about that! It’s been a goal of mine for years to do a book a day, and I’m finally doing it! Most 300 paged books take about 2 hours, depending on how much I have to write down while reading. 🙂

Me: What is your reaction when you get a new book in the mail?
Excitement! Especially if it’s a book I’ve really been looking forward to reading! I’m a book smeller (which is not *technically* a word. 😉 ), so as soon as it’s out of it’s packaging, I fan the pages, sniffing the book. Silly, but Bethany House books smell the best! Hahaha!

Me: Who are some of your favorite authors that you love recommending?
I have certain criteria an author has to meet to be considered a favorite author of mine, and an even tougher one for me to recommend her. Krista McGee, Janice Hanna Thompson, Robin Jones Gunn, and Amy Clipston are a few I recommend the most. 🙂

Me: What is your ideal location to read? (i.e. curled up in wintertime, outside on a porch swing, etc.)
Fun question! 🙂 I have a loft bed, so I normally climb up there to curl up there with my reviewing clipboard and read. I read the best late at night when my house is quite, no distractions! Sometimes I lay on my stomach on my bedroom floor, but that’s not the most comfortable reading spot! 😉

And some extra not-exactly-related-to-BFCG questions if you’d like to answer.
~What are some of your favorite verses?
Philippians 4:8 is for sure a top favorite of mine. I also love Galatians 1:10 {“For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.”},Psalm 46:10 {“Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”} and Philippians 3:7-8 {“But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ.”}

~What is one of your dreams?
To go to China! Which actually may be happening next summer with a mission trip with Show Hope. I’m currently fundraising for it, which I am beyond excited about! The Lord put orphans–especially China’s orphans–on my heart before BFCG even was a thought, I started following many adoption blogs (I’m up to over 300 now) and that seed blossomed. 🙂

~Besides reading, 😉 what are some of you top favorite things to do?
I’m a photographer (#teamcanon!) so definitely photography, blogging, working on BFCG, playing with my beagle, and learning Chinese. I’ve recently started writing/drawing on mugs, which has been fun. 🙂

~Okay…do you like snacking while you read?
Hmm…I have to be really hungry to have food next to a real book. I don’t want to get my book dirty, so not very often. I sometimes eat goldfish when reading on the Kindle due to only needing one hand to “touch” the book…no salt on the pages! 😉

You can find out more about Lindsey by checking out her blog.

All Our Empty Places | Interview and Giveaway

Published on by Amanda Tero2 Comments


Alicia has been such a cheerful support to me and my writing, so when the tables turned and she asked for bloggers for her release of All Our Empty Places, I was excited to jump on board!

THE BOOK
AllOur Empty Places  is the second book in Alicia’s “A Time of Grace” trilogy
Purchase on Amazon: http://amzn.com/B014JVJYCK
Read my personal review of it here.
However, you don’t want to miss Book One, The Fragrance of Geraniums. The good news, is that you can get it for 99 cents on Amazon right now! (until October 31) http://amzn.com/B00P4PB7W6
(I have read and reviewed Book One on Goodreads)

BACK COVER BLURB
In 1935, when the bank calls in her mortgage, Sarah Picoletti – now a penniless widow – finds herself and her children on the brink of homelessness. Sick at heart, she plans to beg her brother in New Jersey to take her family in.

Then Doctor Samuel Giorgi knocks on her door. Godly and well-off, Sam seems to have put the careless ways of his youth behind him, and he also appears to have one desire: to make Sarah his wife, two decades after he broke their engagement.

However, nothing prepares Sarah for the storm that breaks once she makes her decision. Everywhere she turns, the errors of her former choices confront her, insisting on her inferiority and the irreparable brokenness of her past. Sarah begins to wonder if Christ really can bring true redemption or if He is limited by her frailty.
Meanwhile, her daughter Grace faces new challenges in her own life. When her relationship with Paulie changes unexpectedly, Grace realizes that she must make a decision with the potential to alter both of their futures.
Compassionate and intensely poignant, All Our Empty Placespaints the portrait of a mother and daughter with broken pasts, who dare to step into a future overflowing with the grace of the Cross.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Alicia G. Ruggieri writes Christ-centered fiction that speaks of redemption. She received her B.A. in Communications and History from Rhode Island College and lives with her husband and their emotionally-disturbed pug on the New England coast.

AUTHOR LINKS
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AliciaGRuggieri
Blog: http://www.abrighterdestiny.blogspot.com
Twitter: @aliciaruggieri
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/AliciaGRuggieri
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/author/aliciagruggieri



INTERVIEW
I was blessed to be able to interview Alicia. Her striving to keep Christ first is such an encouragement and challenge to me.

1) What most influenced you in writing A Time of Grace trilogy?
Well, the A Time of Grace trilogy began with The Fragrance of Geraniums, and that began with a strong childhood memory of an upstairs room filled with “winterized” geraniums. They say that memories that have scents attached to them imprint themselves most strongly on our minds; this was certainly that case for that. I’m thankful to the Lord for imprinting the memory of an old, slightly-dusty room with sunlight filtering through sheer curtains, heat emitting from old radiators, table after table of cut-back geraniums, and – most potently – the flowers’ bitter-spicy fragrance filling the air. All through my growing-up years, I knew that a story lurked there.
2) With which character in your series can you most identify?
I get asked this a lot, and it’s always a hard question to answer. J Here’s why: Every (main) character I write has something of me in them – Otherwise, I couldn’t identify with them enough to depict them believably. But, in All Our Empty Places (book two), I definitely can relate to the theme of finding our sufficiency in Christ alone – not in our education, nor who our friends are, nor in our own abilities, nor even in our identification with Christianity – but in Christ Himself. It’s so easy for me to lean on something other than the Lord Christ for satisfaction, for competence, etc. But as Sarah finds – and to some extent, Grace – there is no true sufficiency but His grace. “The well is deep” (John 4:11), but He is our Living Water, who will quench our thirst utterly.
3) How do you balance writing with home duties?
It’s a combination of a few things for me – first, I prioritize. As my pastor says, we have to put God first, always. Then we have our responsibility to our families, and then to our work. So my goal is always that God gets my best time, not the leftovers. That means that I go to Him first in the morning through His Word and prayer and that I seek Him throughout the day. Then I have my responsibilities to my family; those need to get taken care of next. And my writing – my work – gets the final place. I also make lists of what needs to get done both in my household and in my work. That has proven extremely helpful for me. Finally, but not least, I seek the Lord regarding how He wants me to spend my time. He is very near to us, if we would but call on Him. So, if I’m conflicted about something seemingly small, I ask Him to give me His wisdom and then move forward with what I believe He wants me to do. J Of course, I am not saying that I do this perfectly or even well. But that’s my goal: to honor Him first, then my family and the work He’s given me to do.
4) How long have you been writing?
I’ve written for as long as I’ve known how to write, and I’m so thankful for teachers and a mother who strongly encouraged me in that. For years, I wrote play adaptations for a local children theatre, which was a great blessing! My first novel was published in 2013.
5) Do you usually plot out your novels or just write as the ideas come?
I used to write as the ideas came, but I’ve gradually transitioned to a mixing that with plotting. Funny as it sounds, I love the freedom loose plotting gives me. Having said that, if I feel that God is leading me to direct the story in a different way than I’d originally planned, I change it. And I usually don’t plot my endings. J Those just have to “flow” out of the story, and, if the story’s right, then the right end will come. Before I plot, I usually have lots of notes regarding where I think the story should head. I can’t start plotting without that composting.

6) Do you find yourself using struggles, victories, and spiritual lessons that you have personally experienced to help teach lessons in your books?
Oh, yes. 2 Corinthians 1:4 tells us that God gives us difficulties and learning lessons so that we can comfort others with the comfort we’ve been given by Him. It’s hard to give someone in the trenches tips on how to survive and defeat the enemy unless you’ve gone down into the trenches, too, and by God’s grace, lived to tell of it.
7) What would you say to encourage a young Christian writer?
First, seek the Lord above all else. Don’t be mediocre in your walk with Him, and don’t separate your walk with Him from your writing. Second, read classic, well-written literature widely. Third, write the way God has gifted you – don’t copy someone else. Yes, other people’s writing should influence your style, but let your writing be unique, the way God has gifted you.
8) Would you share your salvation testimony?
Certainly. J  I became a Christian when I was a young child; I am blessed to have a mother who loves the Lord and strove to bring her children to Him. However, it wasn’t until I was in my early teens that I really began to wrestle with whether I truly believed that Christ is the only Way among all other religions. At that time, I sought the Lord strongly. He heard me, and He brought me into a deeper walk with Him through my own study of His Word, through prayer, through Christian living books such as those by Oswald Chambers, and through the godly example of my older sister who lived at home.
9) What are some of your favorites?
– Song
Oh, that’s hard. J I’ll narrow it down to hymns, okay? One of my favorite hymns is “Jesus, I Am Resting, Resting” by Jean S. Pigott.
– Book(s) 😉
This is a cruel question. 😉 It somewhat depends on genre, but I think that I can safely say that my favorite fiction book is Til We Have Faces by C.S. Lewis and my favorite nonfiction is My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers.
– Pastimes
Reading (obviously!), baking, organizing, finding more dogs to rescue on Craigslist, and enjoying my nieces and nephews.
– Dessert
I’m going to pick two. First, my mother’s Italian Easter bread – She only makes this anisette-flavored braided bread once a year, and it’s so good that I sometimes eat it for breakfast, lunch, and (shh!) dinner in the few days preceding Easter! And, second, peanut-butter cheesecake. 
– Bible verse
There are a few that are very dear to my heart. Two that God brings me back to are:
2 Corinthians 4:7 nkjv – “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.”
and
Romans 8:38-39 – 31 nkjv – “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Thanks for having me, Amanda. J It has been a delight!


THE GIVEAWAY
One winner will receive – a signed softcover of All Our Empty Places; a mug with 2 Corinthians 12:9 inscribed on it; Caramel Apple Biscotti; and Harvest Spice Pumpkin White Hot Chocolate mix. (Open to U.S. residents only due to shipping costs.)

Hurry! The giveaway ends tonight at midnight!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

ELSEWHERE
If you want to see Alicia’s book reviewed on other blogs, have fun hopping! 🙂
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2015
God’s Peculiar Treasure Rae
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2015 (release day)
Ready to be Offered
Rachel Rossano’s Words
Letters from Annie Douglass Lima
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2015
Seasons of Humility
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2015
Writings, Ramblings, and Reflections
Christian Author A.M. Heath
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2015
With A Joyful Noise
The Overactive Imagination
Iola’s Christian Reads
A Writer’s Heart
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2015
Tour wrap-up @ A Brighter Destiny

Amazing Grace – blog tour!

Published on by Amanda Tero2 Comments
I am thrilled and honored to be a part of Faith Blum’s blog tour for her book release of Amazing Grace – with both an interview and book review! I hope you have some spare minutes, because we had fun making this blog post a long read! 🙂 First, let’s learn a little about Faith.

1) When did you begin writing?
 I think I’ve pretty much been writing since I started school, but I think I got more serious about it around age ten. And I’ve been writing stories every since. Some are really good and some are really bad.

2) What inspired your Hymns of the West series?
 A picture and a contest. A homeschooling magazine we got had a short story contest. I was too old for it and there was no way I could keep the story down to 1500 words, but I decided to write it anyway. When it was done, it had a lot of problems and I set it aside to work on someday. Then another contest, sponsored by the Women of Faith conference, came around for a novel and I decided to polish up my book.

I didn’t win the contest, but I was a semi-finalist and that spurred me on to independently publish my book. Originally, I didn’t intend it to be a series, but then a beta-reader asked me what the next book was about and his simple question got the wheels in my brain turning. The idea that spurred my book into a series is actually going to be book #5 and I keep coming up with more ideas so I have no idea how long the series will be.

3) How do the hymns play a role in your series (if this isn’t a spoiler)?
 The hymns kind of provide the theme for each of my books. In A Mighty Fortress, one of the themes is trusting in God to lead us and guide us. Making Him our refuge. Be Thou My Vision is about having God give us a vision for our lives and asking Him for wisdom for that vision. Amazing Grace is about…you guessed it, God’s grace. It also has a theme of God’s redemption.

4) What have you found to be the most useful resource for researching the Western time period?
 The internet and other fiction and non-fiction books. If I need to just check a fairly well-known fact, I’ll do a quick search on the internet. Some things I have gotten from reading Louis L’Amour or Janette Oke, and go by my memories from them.

5) What is your goal/vision in writing?
 To encourage and challenge Christians in their walk with God and to hopefully reach a few non-Christians with the gospel as well.

6) Do you find yourself using struggles, victories, and spiritual lessons that you have personally experienced to help teach lessons in your books?
 Definitely! With this last book, it seemed like God was beating me over the head with the lesson of His grace.

7) What would you say to encourage a young Christian writer?
 Don’t rely on your feelings. Jeremiah 17:9-10 says: “‘The heart is more deceitful than all else

And is desperately sick; Who can understand it? ‘I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give to each man according to his ways, According to the results of his deeds.’”

You won’t feel like a Christian all the time. If you have truly repented of your sins, you are born again and you are a new creation in Christ Jesus. Trust God, He is always faithful.

8) Have there been any Scripture verses that God has really used to encourage you in your writing/publishing journey?
 First Corinthians 10:31: “Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”

9) Who do you find encourages you most in your writing journey?
 My family, one of my sisters in particular, and my friend, Andrew. They at least try to act interested when I talk about my writing and sales.

10) When not writing, what are three of your top favorite things to do?
 Play piano, play games with my family, and read.

A few extra questions (that you can answer in just one sentence if you’d like)
~Which author has inspired you the most in your writing?
Louis L’Amour. He’s not Christian, but he writes clean Westerns.

~What are some of your favorite books to read?
How many do you want? 😉 The Holy Bible, Never by J. Grace Pennington, Ride the River by Louis L’Amour, The Short Straw Bride by Karen Witemeyer, Little Women by Louisa May Alcott, Resistance by Jaye L. Knight, The King’s Scrollsby Jaye L. Knight, This Present Darknessby Frank Peretti, Piercing the Darknessby Frank Peretti, and anything about Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. That’s just a few, of course.

~What is one of your favorite Bible verses?
That is hard! I think James 1:5-8 (I know, it’s more than one, so sue me): “But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, 8 being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”

~What is one of your dreams?
To get married someday and have children of my own.

~What is your salvation testimony?
I prayed with my mom at the age of four and have been growing in my salvation ever since.

~Anything else about you or your writing that you’d like to share?
Not that I can think of. Thanks for having me, Amanda!

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Now about the book! 🙂 
Because if you’re like me, finding new reading material is just fun!
Caleb hurried to the post office. He had to get in and out before his sister finished at the general store. “Any mail for the Stuarts?” he asked the postmaster.

The postmaster took a lazy look at him over the top of his eyeglasses and gave a heaving sigh as he turned around to check. “Yep. Somethin’ from Ohio and somethin’ from Montana.”
Tapping his foot, Caleb waited until the large man put the letters lazily in his hand. As he left he wondered why Anna had written someone in Montana and who she knew in Montana. It was really none of his business, but he was still curious. He folded the Ohio letter in half and stashed it in his back pocket. It would get wrinkled, but at least Anna wouldn’t know about it.
As Caleb struggles through some inner battles, he secretly starts a correspondence with a widow and her daughter. Their unabashed faith in God convicts him and increases his inner struggles.
Unable to find a steady job, Maggie places an advertisement to become a mail-order bride. Her daughter, Rachel, is her motivation and encouragement, but if Maggie doesn’t find a job or husband soon, Rachel might not survive through the next year.
Can Caleb learn to trust God despite his past? Can Maggie and Rachel hold onto their faith despite all their trials? What will happen when they meet in person?
Buy your copy here:http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00TUJTWQK
My review:

Stories about mail-order brides always intrigue me. Not being very romantic, I’m not really sure why (maybe it’s the history or unusual concept); but I was happy to realize that Amazing Grace incorporated the story of a mail-order bride and found the first portion of the story very interesting as it bounced between several correspondents.

As the story progressed, I got to know Caleb, Anna, Iain, Maggie, Rachel, Miles, John, James, and Toby, and enjoyed following their story. There is definitely a strong Christian emphasis in the story (which I appreciate) and a lot about seeking God for His direction in your life.
Though the third book in this series, I was glad that I could just jump in and read it — from what I understand, reading the former books would have given me a more rounded story, but it was enjoyable as a stand-alone.
A few things I really appreciated:
~I appreciated how Miles would just break out into prayer during tough times.
~I appreciated the realistic conclusion that though we may present man with the Gospel, we cannot force him to accept it. Though I almost didn’t want to read it, it is very true that some people, though we witness to them, we may never know in this life whether or not they accepted that Gospel for their own.
~I appreciated that the salvation message was very clearly presented.
A few things that I was hesitant about:
~I will admit that I was very cautious in reading about a Christian woman corresponding with and practically courting an unbeliever. Though it turned out well (and it was very clear that Maggie was not the reason for Caleb’s profession of faith), I know that such is not always the case. It is easy for our emotions to run away with us and a Christian girl might hope for the same results as Maggie and Caleb, and before she realizes it, gets swept into an unbiblical marriage. This is pretty much the main point that I cringed in reading the book. I think the author handled the situation well, with the characters bathing the situation in prayer and getting godly counsel, but at the same time, would caution girls not to take Maggie’s story as their pattern for courtship/dating.
Some of my favorite quotes:
“Hold that thought. I have a ring to buy.”
(I’ll admit, this one had me laughing out loud [which doesn’t happen often while I’m reading] and my family had to know what was so funny)
“My caution to you is to not get so caught up in the romance you lose sight of God. God should always come first in any relationship.”
“As good as she may be for him, it is never good to go contrary to God’s will and in this case, His will is very clear.”

 About Faith:

An avid reader, Faith Blum started writing at an early age. Whether it was a story about the camping trip that summer or a more creative story about fictional characters, she has always enjoyed writing. When not writing, Miss Blum enjoys reading, crafting, playing piano, Captaining on the Holy Worlds Historical Fiction Forum and playing games with her family (canasta, anyone?).
As a history enthusiast who has been fascinated for years with the Old West, Faith has endeavored to create a clean, fun, and challenging Western story. Faith lives with her family on a hobby farm in the Northern Midwest, where she enjoys the many cats they have.
You can find Faith on her Website, Blog, Facebook, and Twitter

See where else Amazing Grace has appeared on the web here.

Author Interview | Kelsey Bryant

Published on by Amanda Tero2 Comments

Today, we have Kelsey Bryant, author of the Six Cousins series, visiting With a Joyful Noise (you will notice me mentioning the two current books in her series: Family Reunion and An England Adventure)! I had such a blast interviewing her and reading her answers. Thank you, Kelsey, for taking the time for this interview!
Picture
Me: When did you know that you would be an author?
Kelsey: It came as a decision at my high school graduation celebration; at least, that’s when I have the clearest memory of feeling the decision settle its weight inside me. I was 17; people, of course, wanted to know what I would do after graduation, and I told them “something to do with books”; I didn’t want to commit to being an author just yet, though I was working on a novel (Family Reunion, as a matter of fact!). Writing stories was something I’d done since I could print, and at age 11 one of my biggest dreams was to publish a book, but it took me until age 17 to fully make the decision. It felt like God’s leading. Writing a novel became my main academic focus after high school, since I didn’t go to college. That was seven years ago this spring. (How time flies!)

Me: When you began writing Family Reunion, did you know that this book would be your first publication? If not, when did you realize that it would be?
Kelsey: I didn’t know it would. When I first started, its plot was so indistinct I didn’t know if there was a whole story behind the mist or not. Then plenty of ideas emerged, and I realized, maybe in 2010 or 2011, that my dream to publish truly was doable and this would be the easiest story to pursue. (My others were too ambitious to be taken seriously at my age.)

Me: How long did it take you to write Family Reunion? In comparison, how long did it take you to write England Adventure?
Kelsey: It took me five years to complete every little detail in Family Reunion, but I interspersed it with other writing projects and set it aside some, either because I was getting stuck, feeling intimidated, or waiting for beta readers. I hope it doesn’t take me that long again to finish another book! The first draft of England Adventure I wrote in 13 months, which I was rather proud of, given my history. (It was 18 months from conception to completion.) But then came more drafts and other projects (including polishing and publishing Family Reunion); and so it has been in the works almost four years from the very, very beginning. 

Me What is one of the biggest lessons you feel God taught you during your writing/editing/publishing process?
Kelsey: It’s hard to pick the biggest one, because He taught me so much. Probably the most important was to trust Him with everything: my future, my dreams, my life, my work. There were times I was afraid I was going to lose everything I worked for, like when my computer crashed. Things like that made me question whether I was moving in the right direction. But God never let me lose my work. He saw me through all the setbacks and Family Reunion was published in His timing and blessed beyond my expectations. He also brought other writing opportunities to me, such as magazines and blogs. Hand in hand with trusting in Him, He also taught me not to trust in and take myself too seriously … that I’m not ultimately responsible for how my career goes; He is. (I’m still learning this lesson of trust!)

Me: What is your goal/vision in writing?
Kelsey: Before beginning a story, I ask myself if it possesses a truth or lesson somewhere in its makeup that will enrich people’s lives and/or draw them closer to God. If it does, I know it’s worthwhile to write. We absorb thoughts and ideas from everywhere, especially in our “entertainment” (when our minds are relaxing, they seem to get more elastic or something), so my goal is to provide safe, uplifting, thought-provoking literature that will make readers desire God more and feel that they have a mission to glorify Him, be a light, and do His will for their lives. 

Me: Do you find yourself using struggles, victories, and spiritual lessons that you have personally experienced to help teach lessons in your books?
Kelsey: Yes, I think I do … in fact, it’s essential to my books. Even if I haven’t experienced what a particular character goes through, I still have to identify their struggle with mine in some way or else I can’t really write about it. Spirituality seems to naturally enter my stories, so I feel that struggles, victories, and spiritual lessons are most effective when they’re personal. It’s the same case as when I write devotionals … they have to come from my spirit. 
Me: Do you usually plot out your novels, or have random ideas and just write?
Kelsey: So far I plot out all my novels. Sometimes, in the midst of plotting, when I’m stuck on how I want them to go, I just dive in and start writing at the beginning, just to get over that feeling of immobility, and that usually helps me continue the whole process. I could not write a novel without some sort of plan or outline … I just don’t think that way. That’s how I am in the rest of my life, too! Very much a planner, unless I can’t see where I’m going, and then I take a potentially risky jump forward so I can actually advance. 
Me: What is one thing that you would encourage younger writers in?
Kelsey: Hmm … it’s a little hard to limit it to one thing! I would say give your talent to God, but it seems like a lot of the young writers I know have that down pat. I really admire their heart of faithfulness! On second thought, I will go with that, because it’s absolutely the most important thing to do with any talent: use it to glorify God. It involves different things for different people, but make sure you’re writing what God wants you to write. What readers need is uplifting literature, not more stuff that is popular with the world now. 

PictureMe: I remember seeing that you recently went to England (for your second Six Cousins novel?). What is one of your favorite England memories?
Kelsey: I smile whenever I think back on my trip to England. I’d always wanted to go; that desire was where the inspiration for England Adventure(Six Cousins, Book 2) came from, and before I published this book, I was blessed to be able to go on a historical costume tour with a dear friend. One of my favorite memories was actually outside the tour … my friend and I met up with another young author and her mom who live in England and visited Jane Austen’s House Museum in Chawton, about an hour from the borders of London. It was like a scene out of my book; I felt just like Marielle, my MC, as I walked the wooden floors, admired the curios from Jane Austen’s life, and imagined her living there. The entire village of Chawton was beautiful, and we had such a sweet time together as friends. We even had a cream tea at Cassandra’s Cup, the tea room right across the street from the House. It’s something I’ll savor forever.

Me: Who do you find encourages you most in your writing journey?
Kelsey: My mom. She’s usually the first brain I pick when I’m asking advice about my writing, the first ear to hear my ideas, and the first heart I share my struggles with. She’s always there to encourage me and spur me on to better writing.

And then some random questions. 🙂 
– What is one of your favorite Bible verses?
Jeremiah 31:33 “But this shall be the covenant I will make with the house of Israel; after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.” 
– What is your favorite hymn?
“Be Thou My Vision”
– What is something that you love about your family?
We understand one another and therefore can be open with each other.
– What is one dream that you have?
To go to Israel.
– What is your salvation testimony?
I don’t clearly remember making the decision to trust in Jesus (it was something I always believed, because I was raised that way), but my parents obviously knew I was sincere and I was baptized when I was 7. What happened later I remember better: My spiritual life really became real to me when I was around 13, and I think that came about as a combination of feeling convicted of certain sins, like pride and selfishness, and delving into the Bible and reading certain books on the Christian life. 
– Anything else you’d like to add?
I am very grateful to you, Amanda, for interviewing me! It was fun and thought-provoking. For the rest, I can’t encourage you enough to seek God and His honor and to die to yourself. “In all your way acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths” (Prov. 3:6). Don’t get so caught up in life that you miss out on a rich, intense relationship with the King of kings!

A little more about Kelsey:
Kelsey Bryant is a homeschool graduate from Central Texas. Books have been a part of her family for generations. Ever since she can remember, Kelsey has been writing stories and dreaming of the magical moment when her books would join the ranks. She draws inspiration from the Greatest Story Ever Told, which culminates in the Messiah’s salvation offered to every person. Her life would be meaningless without her relationship with Yeshua (Jesus). She’s also inspired by the classics, especially the works of her favorite authors Jane Austen, L. M. Montgomery, Elizabeth Gaskell, and Louisa May Alcott. She loves history and even her contemporary fiction has a historical bent.
Website     | FaceBook     | Blog
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Note: While I interview different authors on here, I have not read all of their material and cannot personally endorse what I have not read. 🙂

Author Interview | Sarah Holman

Published on by Amanda TeroLeave a comment
For the past few months, I’ve been praying about doing some interviews/guest posts on here. Today, I am excited to have our first interview with stay-at-home author, Sarah Holman.
Me: When did you begin writing/know that you would be an author?
Sarah: Well, I started writing when I was eleven and thought I would always keep it as a hobby. While I had planned since I was in my early teens to be a nurse. However, because of some health challenges I was having, I realized I would not have the energy that I would need to complete nursing school. God showed me that my writing could be my full time writer. So, I followed His lead.
Me: About how much time do you spend writing?
Sarah: I spend about eight hours a day working on my writing in some form or fashion. I write blog posts, manage Homeschooled Authors, as well as write and edit some almost every day. 
Me: When you’re not writing, what are some things that you enjoy doing?
Sarah: Reading is number one on my list of things I love. I read about two to three books a week. I also enjoy spending time with my siblings, scrapbooking, sewing, and taking walks in the forest.
Me: What helps inspire you in writing? (reading other books, listening to music, etc.)
Sarah: Movies are normally my biggest inspiration. It is normally a single line or a side plot that I jump on and want to make into a story. I also get a lot of inspiration from real life. Watching people it a bit of a hobby.
Me: Have there been any Scripture verses that God really used to encourage you in your writing journey?
Sarah: Always, but they are different for each book. For instance, while I was writing A Different Kind of Courage, this verse inspired me and drove the story forward. 
This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.John 3:19-21 NIV
​
Me: How do you write? Do you usually spend some time plotting and outlining or do you jump right in?​
Sarah: I normally come up with an idea and add it to my schedule or file it away for the future. Then, when it comes time to work on a project, I dive right in. It normally takes me only a month to write it and I do very little if any outlining. However, it then takes me about two months to edit, then I send it to my editors, do a final edit, then publish. That is how it works if things go perfectly, but they often don’t.
Me: Out of all the books/short stories you have written, what is your favorite? Why?
A Different Kind of CourageSarah: Asking an author to pick a favorite among the stories they wrote is like asking a parent to pick a favorite child. Each book is dear for me for one reason or another. However, if I had to pick one, I would pick A Different Kind of Courage. It was so much fun combining my love of history and writing to create this book.
Me: What would you say to encourage another young, Christian writer?
Sarah: You are going to have people who love your books no matter what you write and you are going to have people who hate your books no matter what you write. Write for the glory of God and for Him alone. When I started writing, my prayer was that for each book, one person would be brought closer to God. I have been blessed to be able to hear some of the stories of how God has used the books, and it has made all the work worthwhile.
And some random questions:
What is your favorite season?
Summer!
If you could go anywhere, where would it be? Why?
England. I have always wanted to visit the museums, visit some people I know there, and see an English castle.
What is your favorite time period?
Currently, it is the American Revolution. Ever since I started writing A Different Kind of Courage, I have come a bit obsessed over the time period. 
What is one dream that you have?
To host a conference for HomeschooledAuthors
What is your favorite Bible verse?
Romans 8:38-39
What is your salvation testimony?
When I was four or five I was watching a Donut Man (a kids singing video) and it talked about salvation. I asked Jesus into my heart at that very young age, and as I have grown, God has matured and nurtured that faith.
Anything else about you or your writing that you’d like to add?
I love staying connected with my readers you can find me at my Blog, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, Pinterest, and also the website I run Homeschooled Authors.

Thanks for joining us, Sarah! Best wishes on your writing – and may God direct your steps!

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Note: While I interview different authors on here, I have not read all of their material and cannot personally endorse what I have not read. 🙂