If you want to enter the drawing for Michelle’s book, leave a comment with your email address or email me at margaretdaley@gmail.com. The drawing ends Sunday evening.
Michelle Sutton’s interview:
1. What made you start writing?
Back in 2001 I had subscribed to Love Inspired and received three books in the mail every month. My favorite author (because she was edgy) was Cynthia Rutledge. After reading her novels through 2003 I e-mailed her and told her how much I loved her books. She mailed me some of her earlier titles that were out of print and autographed them to me. Needless to say, I was impressed with her generosity. I asked her how she started writing. She told me she wanted something to do when her kids went to college, so she took a writing course at the local college and started writing fiction. That’s the first time I even considered writing a novel as something I could actually do. I’d always been an avid reader, but an author? Me? But as I prayed and thought about it I felt like God was nudging me to start writing stories that would glorify Him. The novels I felt called to write were edgy and realistic in regards to human nature and sin, but they each had a strong redemptive theme.
2. How long have you been writing?
I started writing in August 2003.
When did you sell your first book?
I signed a contract for my agent in February 2005 but didn’t sell until August 2007; exactly four years and nine novels later.
3. How do you handle rejections?
The first few were a bit tough because everyone thinks their story is the best when they are a novice in this biz. But the more rejections I received the less they bothered me. My agent would always say “we” were rejected because we were in this venture together. That certainly helped.
4. Why do you write?
I have always been fascinated by people’s actions and motives and why people do the things they do, so it makes sense that I’d want to create my own drama on paper. The cool thing is when I write I feel led by the Lord to shape a story from a premise containing a message He wants me to convey. But I do it within the context of my imagination and experience, of course.
5. What would you be doing with your free time if you weren’t writing?
Reading my huge stack of books.
6. What are you working on right now?
Besides this interview? I’m working on keeping my eyes open. It’s late and I need to go to bed, but I want to finish this first. In regards to fiction, I have several projects going at the same time and more requests from publishers, so I need to polish some of my older projects for consideration.
7. Do you put yourself into your books/characters?
Sometimes I do. Depends on the story and what I feel led to reveal about my heart in that particular novel.
8. Tell us about the book you have out right now.
It’s Not About Me is about a young woman who is enjoying the summer after graduation while she waits to begin college. Her boyfriend of four years has recently become very pushy in regards to physical contact, and she has no idea why. Then when she is alone working at church office as a volunteer, a visitor appears and what happens alters the course of her life forever. No, she doesn’t get raped (in case you wondered.) The same boyfriend who couldn’t seem to keep his hands off her essentially abandons her because he blames himself for what happened. His older brother steps in to comfort and befriend Annie in his brother’s place and they become very close. This causes a lot of conflict within their families. I can’t tell you the rest, but let me just say the conflict is incredible and there are many twists and turns along the way to keep you guessing. The mini-description I came up with for the bookmarks I’m having made is…
Two brothers… One choice.
9. Do you have any advice for other writers?
Keep working at it. Nothing in this business happens overnight, but when it does happen, you better be ready.
10. How important is faith in your books?
My faith is who I am and so I can’t write any story without that part of my heart embedded in the story to some degree. Each book is different with some having stronger spiritual components than others. But they all contain some faith.
11. What themes do you like to write about?
I love to take characters and mess them up in some major way. Then I have them learn how to cope and grow from the experience to the point that what once seemed like it would destroy their happiness forever is now something that if they had a chance to do over, they’d say they wouldn’t change a thing.
12. What is your favorite book you’ve written and why?
I have several favorites. They are all very different. My favorite is probably The Anatomy of Temptation because it’s the edgiest, boldest, and bravest of all the books I’ve written. It also has the most potential to change lives and heal hearts. The story has a very compelling premise and has gotten endorsements already for when it sells (these are listed on my website.)
13. What is your writing schedule like?
Hit and miss. When I can do it. I just go when the muse hits. Fortunately I write very fast. Temptation only took me three months to write and it’s like 100,000 words (at least.)
14. You like to read and review books. How do you find the time to do it all?
Believe it or not I’ve been able to keep my reviewing pace to just about the same level despite my many projects. The biggest damper in my schedule comes from the online magazine I’m running. That job sucks up major hours and a lot of my energy. So when I’m not doing that, I read to relax. I post reviews on books I enjoy, and when I get time, I edit previously written novels.
I adore the cover of Michelle’s book! I am on her website every day. Reading a book by her would be wonderful. Thanks for the interview with Michelle! I like learning interesting things about the author behind the book. Please enter me in your drawing. Many thanks, Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com
Thanks for the interview with Michelle! It was very inspiring. I’d love to read her book.
Alessandra
Outofblue1[at]gmail.com
I love visiting Michelle’s website and have been wanting to read this book since she first started talking about it. Thanks for the chance to win it!
carolynnwald[at]hotmail[dot]com
Please toss in my name for the drawing. I’d love to read this book. Thanks.
stacey_dale[at]yahoo[dot]com
My name is Anna Bajus . I am looking forward to Michelle Sutton’s book. I know her personally and know she has worked really hard and gave it all she had in this book.
bajusbeach@juno.com
Great interview, with some unique questions. Thanks for the drawing.
Heather
Lalycairn at gmail.com
I enjoyed the interview! Good job, ladies.
Michelle’s great! And I bet her new book is fantastic too. Thanks bunches for the interview!
Michelle,
I am so happy that you sold this book!!!
I can’t wait to read it!
I’ve read this story, three times actually, and it is an amazing tale. I highly recommend it. But, I want a printed/autographed copy of this book, so please add my name to the drawing.
Excellent job, Michelle.
Great interview, Margaret. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Email addy:
christianromancewriter@gmail.com
Debra Ullrick
The Bride Wore Coveralls, available
Déjà vu Bride, October 2008
Alabama Weddings, February 2009
Okay, I’m totally intrigued now. Please enter me in the drawing. Thanks, Michelle and Margartet, for a great interview.
Blessings,
Becca
becca.dowling[at]yahoo[dot]com
I’m hooked, Michelle. I want to know what happened to that young girl and which brother she chose.
keligwyn[at]earthlink[dot]net
I’d love to win this book. I’ve been trying to get my hands on one of Michelle’s books. They keep slipping through my hands.
I’ve actually had the pleasure to read bit of her work, and Michelle is a very talented writer. I believe this awesome book will be one in a long line of great books.
GS Davis
Would love to read the new book
luckydolls123[at]verizon[dot]net
Michelle,
A HUGE congratulations!! I haven’t been on the loop for a while and didn’t even know you had a book out. Thanks for sending the email link to the interview. Can’t wait to read your book and the many others sure to follow!
Angie Farnworth
demiangie[at]yahoo[dot]com
I love that she said, “But the more rejections I received the less they bothered me.” I think that is a great thing to remember. It is discouraging, yet rewarding profession.
I’ve been wanting to read her book!
taradawnrobertson at hotmail dot com
Michelle is such a dear! Can’t wait to read her book!
This is great, I’ve been blessed to get to Know a little about Michelle over her blogs, and am intrested in the story behind the book, sign me up for the drawing…
In Christs Love
Michelle~
I enjoy going to Michelle’s blog and would love to read her book. Add my name, thanks!
worthy2bpraised{at}gmail{dot}com
Please add me in on the draweing!! I Love to read and I love to read your books! You have my email, hon or just shout life mail me!
Great interview! I woould like to read Michelle’s new book. I am curious as to what happens to the main character…..
Michelle is one of my favorite authors. Thank you for the interview. It is so inspirational.
pintolinda (at) hotmail (dot) com
I have loved every interview I have seen of Michelle. She is so encouraging, and her reviews have been very helpful for me in picking out reading material too!
Thank you.
Kelly
kalea_kane(at)yahoo(dot)com
thepeachykeenwriter[at]yahoo[dot]com
Loved the interview. What a great book. I would love to read it. Please enter me.
ayancey@dishmail.net
I’ve never read any of her books but the sound delightful.
I have never read any of Michelle’s books but they sound interesting. Thanks for a descriptive interview. I would love to be entered, thanks so much for the opportunity!
Eloise
furygirl3132@comcast.net
I have the pleasure of getting to know michelle through shoutlife!
please enter me for this book!
please contact me: dheath211(at) netzero(dot)com
Please enter me for this book.
sunflower95_daisy AT yahoo DOT com
Sounds like a great book for a Sunday afternoon read!