©2008 Linda Johnson Photography |
Welcome back to Writing for Christ
Sarah Sundin, I am excited to have you here for a second time. :-)
What has changed in your writing life
since you were last here?
It’s been a
wonderful, busy year. With Every Letter,
the first book in the Wings of the Nightingale series, just came out, and I’m
finishing up my publisher’s content edit on the second book, On Distant Shores (June 2013). Now I’m
working on the third book, plus playing with ideas for another series. I’ve
also done more speaking, including being the speaker for a weekend women’s
retreat, one of the highlights of my year.
What recent read stood out to you as
truly spectacular?
How to pick? I’ve
read so many good books this year, and some gorgeous books taunt me from the
to-be-read pile. One that stuck with me is Carla Stewart’s Stardust. Each of her books gets better and better. In Stardust,
Carla’s voice is so beautiful and lyrical, the characters are eclectic and
fascinating, the setting is a character of its own, and the message of
forgiveness comes through in a startlingly refreshing way.
Do you have favorite authors?
This gets harder
every year as I add more authors to the list. Some of my favorites off the top
of my head include Laura Frantz, Dan Walsh, Liz Curtis Higgs, Dale Cramer,
Athol Dickson, Jill Eileen Smith, and Lorna Seilstad. I also had the privilege
of reading debut author Joanne Bischof’s Be
Still My Soul for endorsement and had to add her to my list too!
What do you find the most enjoyable
part of writing or connecting with readers?
I like almost
every part—the thrill of a new idea, research, getting to know my characters,
wrestling my plot into submission, the flow of writing the rough draft, and
even editing. Connecting with readers is a new joy. I’ve met some of the most
fascinating people through reader e-mails and Facebook messages—and in person
too
.
What do you find the most ideal
atmosphere for writing? Do you ever get those surroundings? J
My lovely desk in
my quiet office. Since two of our kids are in high school and the oldest is
away at college, I have relative quiet during the school day. However, our
yellow lab isn’t fond of quiet and does her best to disrupt it.
Okay, something fun for those writers
out there: In what point of your writing career did you surprise yourself by
writing the most words ever in the shortest amount of time?
I didn’t know
this at the time, but my first six months of writing were extraordinarily
productive. I wrote a 750-page (!!!) novel in six months, and I could only write
about two hours a day back then. Granted, it was 750 horrendous pages, and that book will never be published (please,
please burn it when I die!), but I’ve never come close to that pace since then.
Nor do I want to.
Thanks for being here again! It has
been a joy and we wish the very best with your novels.
Readers, here is your chance to enter to win Sarah's book!
Please leave an email adddress! If I draw your name and there is no email, you will not win.
Contest is only open in the U.S. and void where prohibited. Chances of winning are based on the number of entries and winner is draw from a non-biased third party- Random.org. I am not responsible for any lost or damaged items for said prize.
Thanks for coming by to enter! Contest ends on September 14th.
Attn Readers! If you're struggling to leave a comment on my blog, please email your comment entries (in ONE email) and I will submit it for you. But PLEASE only do this after you've failed to leave a comment. My email is: caseym.writer(@)gmail.com
Looks interesting. Makes me wonder...whose letters?
ReplyDeleteDoreen
priviesandprims@ yahoo dot com
I' not read this author before but this book sounds great...I'd love to read it.
ReplyDeletelgm52@hotmail.com
I am a follower.
ReplyDeletelgm52@hotmail.com
I'm an email subscriber.
ReplyDeletelgm52@hotmail.com
I must put this on my TBR list.
ReplyDeleteI follow via gfc and email.
lag110 at mchsi dot com
awesome review! I look forward to reading them! Would love an opportunity to win Sarah Sundin's new book! mommiebethers@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a wonderful series. I'm anxious to read With Every Letter and the others when they come out.
ReplyDeletepbclark(at)netins(dot)net
I am a follower
ReplyDeleteI am a subscriber
I would love to read With This Letter. Thank you for the interview and for entering me.
Ooh, awesome! I'm SO excited to read Sarah's latest- I LOVE her books! Thanks for the awesome giveaway!
ReplyDeletelubell1106(at)gmail(dot)com
I'm a subscriber!
ReplyDeletelubell1106(at)gmail(dot)com
I'm a follower too!
ReplyDeletelubell1106(at)gmail(dot)com
Wow, what an awesome giveaway! I haven't read any of Sarah's books, but they look wonderful- sign me up!
ReplyDeletejennycohen104(at)gmail(dot)com
Can't wait to read this book- it looks really good, and the cover is beautiful!
ReplyDeletethejesusfreak62(at)gmail(dot)com
Thanks for the giveaway! I'm so excited for this book...but I'm entering for a friend! Please put my name in the drawing!!
ReplyDeleteEmreilly303(aT)gmail(dot)com
I'm a follower and a subscriber!!!
Please enter me into the contest! Looks like a great read!! Thanks so much!
ReplyDeleteDreilly316(at)gmail(dot)com
sounds like a wonderful series. my teen daughters would love thanks
ReplyDeleteABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com
email subscriber
ReplyDeleteABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com
Wonderful! I want to read it!!! amada_chavez@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteI would love to read this book. It sounds very good. Please enter me in contest. I am a follower and email subscriber. Tore923@aol.com
ReplyDeleteI've been waiting to read this series, I love that it's about a WWII flight nurse! Please enter me in this great giveaway!
ReplyDeleteI'm a follower and a subscriber.
ecriggs1990(at)aol(dot)com
I have read several non fiction books about women in the Army Air Core in WWII and I love historical fiction with a love story. I like the idea that she is a nurse, another area to learn about!
ReplyDeleteCarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com
I follow your blog with GFC as Carol N Wong.
ReplyDeleteCarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com
I am an e-mail subscriber of your blog.
ReplyDeleteCarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com
I have a tender spot for WWII love stories and for Sarah's books. Please include me in the drawing for With Every Letter. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteworthy2bpraised at gmail dot com
I'm a follower.
ReplyDeleteworthy2bpraised at gmail dot com
I'm a subscriber.
ReplyDeleteworthy2bpraised at gmail dot com
Sarah Sundin is on of my top favorite authors from the last couple years!! I love her books and can't wait to read this one. martha(at)lclink(dot)com
ReplyDeleteI love learning about new-to-me authors. The stunning cover is magnetic. I'm reading Be Still My Soul to review right now. Thanks Sarah and Casey.
ReplyDeletePlease enter me.
Justmeshf@hotmail.com
Subscriber
I am also a follower of the blog martha(at)lclink(dot)com
ReplyDeleteI am a subscriber as well! martha(at)lclink(dot)com
ReplyDeleteI have read SO many great reviews about this one. I am looking forward to reading it. Soon, I hope!
ReplyDeletecampbellamyd at gmail dot com
I'm a follower.
ReplyDeletecampbellamyd at gmail dot com
I'm a subscriber.
ReplyDeletecampbellamyd at gmail dot com
Casey - love how you're always promoting such wonderful authors. I've never read anything from Sarah before so would love a copy of her book.
ReplyDeleteI'm a subscriber and follower already - of course. :-)
beckydwriter(at)gmail(dot)com
Sarah - I'm a letter freak. I still have a few friends who share this love with me and we use old-fashioned dip pens or quills and ink and old-world wax seals (we're all starting to get flack from the Post Office because the seals mess up the automated machines but until they tell us we can't, we're going to soldier on!)
Blessings!
Becky
Becky - that's too funny! They had a similar problem in WWII in the Victory Mail program. With V-Mail, people wrote letters on preprinted forms, which were photographed stateside, then the film was shipped overseas and printed off to be mailed. It saved an enormous amount of shipping space! But they had problems with women leaving lipstick kisses on the V-Mail stationery - the lipstick gummed up the photocopy machine. The postal workers called it the Scarlet Scourge.
ReplyDeleteThis book looks like another great read. I would love the chance to win this one :)
ReplyDeletesamanthaakuipe(at)gmail.com
I am a follower and subscriber too...
ReplyDeletesamanthaakuiper(at)gmail.com
Entering every contest I can find for Sarah's new book!! Loved her Wings of Glory series and can't wait to read With Every Letter!
ReplyDeleteStephanie
mybabyblessings AT gmail DOT com
Stephanie - thank you! By the way, I'm keeping a running list of current giveaways on the sidebar of my blog. So check in every once in a while.
ReplyDeleteLove the cover. It makes me want to pick it up and start reading. I am new to
ReplyDeleteyou as an author, but am following and subscribed so I won't miss the news.
Thank so much for the book give-a-way.
Jan
godblessamerica.jan(at)gmail(dot)com
This sounds like a great book. I love to get letters but am terrible at writing them.
ReplyDeletewfnren(at)aol(dot)com
I am a follower.
ReplyDeletewfnren(at)aol(dot)com
I am a subscriber.
ReplyDeletewfnren(at)aol(dot)com
Thank you for a chance to win your book. It has a wonderful cover, and sounds like,from what all I have read, that it is not to be missed.
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Janice jsmithg(at)hotmail(dot)com
I am a subscriber, too.
Great interview, ladies! I enjoyed it! I'm currently reading With Every Letter, so need to enter me. : )
ReplyDeleteI love Sarah Sundin. I can't wait to read her book.
ReplyDeleteKarina
kglushchak@gmail.com
I'm so eager to read this book. I devoured the first series and thought the time till this release would never go by fast enough! Thanks for the opportunity to enter.
ReplyDeleteWendyBrz
Teacup811@aol.com
I'm currently reading Sarah's book Blue Skies Tomorrow and enjoying it very much. I would very much like to win a copy of With Every Letter. Thanks for the chance.
ReplyDeletepmk56[at]sbcglobal[dot]net
I'm a follower.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the extra entry.
pmk56[at]sbcglobal[dot]net
I'm an e-mail subscriber to your blog.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the extra entry.
pmk56[at]sbcglobal[dot]net
I haven't read Sarah's work but would love to so please enter me into the drawing. This era is very interesting. Blessings!
ReplyDeletespangldlady(at)gmail(dot)com
I am a follower and a subscriber. Sounds like a good book.
ReplyDeletewendy
wsmarple/at/gmail/dot/com
Oh I want to win this so badly!
ReplyDeletegodsforlife at gmail dot com.
I am a follower!
ReplyDeletegodsforlife at gmail dot com.
Nice cover and interview.
ReplyDeleteI follow via email.
bn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com
Have not read her books, would love to!! tammyredd@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteoops I am a follower and a subscriber! tammyredd@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI am a follower (on your website - otherwise I kinda like to lead!)
ReplyDeleteI am a subscriber!
And that book sounds awesome!
I am a follower (to your blog but kinda like to LEAD otherwise!)
ReplyDeleteI am a subscriber!
I love the look and sound of this book!
AND I need to work better at reading directions so here is my email address...
missionwife@hotmail.com
It reminds me of when my hubby was in the military and I would be getting mail from him mostly every day and how that was such a special time.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Jo
azladijo(at)aol(dot)com
I'm a subscriber
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Jo
azladijo(at)aoil(dot)com
I'm a follower!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Jo
azladijo(at)aol(dot)com
I am a huge fan of Sarah's work. Her latest book looks amazing, so naturally I can't wait to get my hands on a copy! Thank you for the opportunity to win one!
ReplyDeleteExtra entries:
Subscribed
Followed
Oops, I forgot my email address! Here it is: jennyjenjen92[at]gmail[dot]com
ReplyDeleteSounds great!! Love to win it!
ReplyDeleteI subscribed and am following. Thanks! valariemccoy@att.net
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to read this book! Email is: jmsoffes73@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI'm not here to enter the contest. I have two copies of Sarah's latest book already, one for myself and one to giveaway on my own blog soon. I just want to chime in and say how much I loved this story. Sarah is one of my must-read authors. I don't normally read WWII romances, but she's changed all that. I love her characters. They're so well-crafted and stay with me long after I close the pages. Tom and Mellie aren't perfect, but I love them both and had such fun watching them work through the challenges they faced, both independently and in their relationship. I highly recommend With Every Letter.
ReplyDeleteWe have Sarah's books in the church library. Check out our website when you get a chance. www.churchatthemall.com/library
ReplyDeleteThanks for the opportunity to enter the contest.
Janet Estridge
von1janet(@)gmail.com
+1 I haven't read much WWII fiction, though I've heard good things about Sarah Sundin's books! Thanks for the chance to win!
ReplyDeletejafuchi7[at]hawaii[dot]edu
+1 I'm an email subscriber
+1 I'm a GFC follower
I enjoyed Sarah's other series so much. The characters were flawed but endearing, and I loved seeing how they worked through their problems and grew as people. This next series looks terrific, too! Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteI'm also an email subscriber! Please choose me!
ReplyDeletekandrajane at bellsouth dot net
Several bloggers have drawn my attention to this book. It sounds fun!
ReplyDeletekentiapalm a gmail address
I'm a GFC follower - Rina
ReplyDeletekentiapalm a gmail address
I'm a subscriber as of today!
ReplyDeletekentiapalm a gmail address
I'd love to win this one--it looks terrific! Please enter me in the drawing.
ReplyDeletespangldlady(at)gmail(dot)com
I am a subscriber and a follower
This sounds VERY interesting and intriguing! Please enter me!!!
ReplyDeleteAmada (pronounced: a.m.a.th.a) Chavez
amada_chavez[AT]yahoo[DOT]com
Acts 16:31 (Read it, Believe it, and Be Saved!!!)
GREAT Giveaway!!! I am a subscriber and a Follower.
ReplyDeleterichmond.abigail@gmail.com
Awesome giveaway! It looks like a great book! I am a follower and a subscriber!!
ReplyDeleteKaykaygirl52@yahoo.com