3-Year Blogoversary Party ~ Interview with Sarah Sundin and Giveaway!

Welcome to Christian Bookshelf Reviews, Sarah! Thanks for celebrating my blog's 3-Year Blogoversary with us! Will you tell us a little about yourself?

I live in northern California, and I’m a mother of three, on-call hospital pharmacist, Sunday school teacher, and an author of historical fiction.

How many books have you written/published and which one was the toughest to write?

My fifth published novel, On Distant Shores, was released in August. The most difficult was probably With Every Letter, the first book in my second series. After spending almost ten years with my first series (it took me a long time to get published!), it felt strange to shift to new characters and a new focus.

What is something the average reader wouldn't know about you?

I used to sew before I started writing—I made a lot of my daughter’s little girl dresses and even made my own wedding gown. Once I started writing, I lost all interest in sewing. It’s as if the tiny creative bit in my brain can only handle one outlet.

What would you say is your most interesting writing quirk?

I wrote my first three novels longhand (with pencil on binder paper!), but now I write straight into the computer.

Where do you like to write?

I now have a desk in a home office, but I didn’t use to. I started writing when my children were little, so I learned to write wherever I could—on the sidelines at soccer games, in karate studios, during gymnastics classes, while waiting at the DMV…and I can still do that if I need to.

When you are writing a book, do you just write as you go or do you have a set outline for the novel?

I can’t write without an outline. I just can’t. But in general, I’m a list-maker and schedule-setter and map-maker. That’s how I work best. For some authors, an outline stifles all creativity, but for me, it releases my creativity.

I’m sure you do a lot of research for your novels, what is one of the most interesting facts you’ve come across?

Oh yes. Tons of research. In my latest novel, On Distant Shores, the hero serves as an Army pharmacist in WWII. As a pharmacist myself, I was fascinated by the many changes in my profession. A lot of the medications we depend on nowadays weren’t available back then—whole classes of medications. Other meds, like penicillin, were brand-new, and they were still experimenting on how to best use it.

What is the best and/or worst part about being a writer?

The best part is getting to write stories! And actually getting paid to do so!! The worst part is keeping up with publicity and marketing and all the technological and social media changes. It’s time-consuming and exhausting. But it’s vital—and I absolutely love interacting with readers—so I do it.

What do you like to do when you're not writing?

I’m sure this question refers to free time and hobbies…but I don’t really have either! I’m either writing, chauffeuring kids, volunteering, or working in the hospital. At least writing is very relaxing for me, so it still feels like a hobby.

What is your favorite genre to read and why?

I love all sorts of genres. The classics, historicals, women’s fiction, fun contemporary romances, thrillers, suspense, an occasional fantasy book. But absolutely no horror. Ever.

Is there a place you’d like to visit, but haven’t yet? 

I’ve been blessed. My husband traveled for many years on business, so I benefitted from the frequent flier miles—England, Scotland, France, Germany, Italy, Australia. I’ve been horribly spoiled. But I would love to go back someday.

Do you have a favorite Bible verse?

Always, but it changes constantly, depending on what I’m going through or what the Lord is teaching me. The Scripture my pastor used in today’s sermon really spoke to me. It’s a lifelong favorite but addresses me where I’m at right now: Philippians 3:13-14: “But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

Do you have a favorite song and/or movie?

Varies with my mood  For movies, I love the classics and good, clean romantic comedies like You’ve Got Mail. For music, I listen to Big Band for “research” and fun, and I also love contemporary Christian music and classical.

What's your favorite season and why is it your fav?

Autumn, and not just because I’m a November baby. As a nerd, going back to school was always my favorite time of year, and I love the changing colors (yes, we have a bit of that in northern California) and chilly weather.

What's your favorite party food?

Anything small and cute. When my daughter and I were preparing our finger foods for New Year’s Eve, we were discussing how much better food tastes when it’s little and cute. Why exactly does a baby carrot taste better than a regular carrot? Or frozen mini tacos over regular tacos? I don’t know, but they do.

Some this-or-that questions:

Snowstorms or Thunderstorms?  

Living in the San Francisco Bay Area, we never get snowstorms and rarely get thunderstorms. Sigh. I love dramatic weather.

Chocolate or Vanilla?

Yes, please!

Tea or Coffee?

Coffee in the morning—I need a more brutal form of caffeine (see early-bird or night-owl question below). In the afternoon, I adore the gentleness and subtlety of tea—hot tea in the winter, iced in the summer. No sugar. Just pure lovely tea.

Call or Text?

Call or email. Honestly, it takes my teen daughter five minutes to have a text conversation with her best friend—words that would take five seconds to speak. The only time I like texts is when phone calls aren’t appropriate.

Cats or Dogs?

I’m a lifelong cat person, but I married a dog person, so we have one of each. And I love both of them.

Early-bird or Night-owl?

Night owl through and through.

Introvert or Extrovert?

Introvert, but I can play extrovert in social situations.

Facebook or Twitter?

Facebook—it’s so much more interactive and relational. But I do both.

Are you currently working on any new novels? If so, would you give us a hint?

The last novel in the Wings of the Nightingale series, In Perfect Time, is finished and it comes out in August 2014. Also I have a story in a WWII Christmas novella collection with Tricia Goyer and Cara Putman (working title: Where Treetops Glisten) coming in October 2014. And now I’m diving into the first book in my new Waves of Freedom series (working title), which follows three American naval officers based in Boston in WWII.

Thank you so much for being here! Is there anything else you’d like to tell readers and where can we find you on the web?

I’m so glad you came by! You can find me on the web at…

Website: http://www.sarahsundin.com

Blog: http://www.sarahsundin.blogspot.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SarahSundinAuthor

Twitter: http://twitter.com/sarahsundin

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/sarahsundin

Enter for a chance to win a copy of On Distant Shores by Sarah Sundin! Giveaway is open to the US and Canada. Ends 2/15

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