Today I would like to welcome Sarah Sawyer to my blog. Sarah is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers Association (ACFW) and I met her online through the ACFW MidAtlantic Community.
Thank you for being here, Sarah. Please tell us a little about yourself.
In short, I’m a lover of God, wife to an amazing man, co-owner of a web development business, avid reader, bibliophile, and writer of Christian fantasy novels. I love the stirring of imagination that comes from exploring fantastic realms and what these “other worlds” can reveal to us about our own.
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| Sarah Sawyer |
What inspires you?
That’s a tough question because inspiration comes from so many sources. Story in all its forms, dreams, beautiful music, and times of prayer and worship, to name a few. Then there are the ideas that subtly creep into the mind, without giving an account of their origin, when I’m doing dishes, driving down the road, or taking a shower.
Share 3 random facts about yourself.
- I once got locked in a bathroom in a foreign country. It took some time before I was heard, understood, and let out!
- I’m fond of loose-leaf tea, and I worked in a local tearoom for several years as a teen.
- I love the look and feel of leather-bound books.
What relaxes you after a long day?
A cup of tea, a good book, or a quiet walk, in no particular order. Spending time with God or with my husband also helps me unwind.
What do you like to read?
Without a doubt, my favorite genre is fantasy (and other sorts of speculative fiction), but I read widely in most fiction genres—classics, historical fiction, mystery/suspense, and so forth. I also enjoy non-fiction on a variety of topics, but I will usually pick up a novel first.
What is your greatest asset?
In writing and in life, the Holy Spirit. Without His inspiration, guidance, and leadership, my life would have taken an entirely different course. He is my greatest mentor on this writing journey.
What are you working on right now? Tell us about your current book.
Right now, I’m editing an epic fantasy novel. The working blurb is:
For centuries, the Amroth desert has remained untouched by outsiders. But when a brutal enemy invades without warning, destroying villages and then vanishing into the rocky cliffs, terror sweeps the land.
In the wake of the devastation, Liana Aieul must lead the few survivors of her village to their one hope of safety: a mystical hidden refuge that may not even exist.
Pursued by an unstoppable foe and plagued by her own self-doubt, she must unravel the mystery of her past and her future in time to reach refuge. If she fails, they will join the dead.
What one piece of advice would you give to other aspiring authors just like yourself?
Write from the unique passion God has placed inside of you!
What would you like to ask the readers of this post?
What is one novel you find yourself returning to over and over? And what about it appeals to you?
How can my readers find you?
I blog three times a week at www.sarahsawyer.com/blog, and I’m on facebook at www.facebook.com/sarahsawyerwriter. I love to connect with other readers and writers, so I hope to hear from some of you.
Sarah, I'm so happy to have you here today! Welcome!
One novel that I find myself returning to over and over? Well, I actually have a couple. One is the Redemption by MaryLu Tyndall and the other is Silk by Linda Chaikin. Do you think I have a secret love for pirates?? Ha!
Nice to meet you! I love teas too and we have being short in common!
One book I've read several times, and I don't do that often, is This Present Darkness. I loved Frank Perretti's take on the supernatural. It was stirring and it reminds me that prayer is vital!
Great interview, Sarah.
Sheri, thanks for being such a fantastic host! I've heard a number of people praise MaryLu Tyndall, though I haven't read the Redemption. Pirates have a way of adding zest to a story.
Jessica, nice to meet you too! I think of Frank Peretti as an early forerunner in the Christian speculative genre, and even though he hasn't had a new release in quite some time, he still impacts people. That's quite a legacy.
One series I find myself rereading often is the Chronicles of Narnia. They never grow old!
Great interview and I learned some things about our Virginia/West Virginia Area Coordinator that I did not know! Thanks for the post, Sheri and Sarah!
Hi Sarah!
The novel(s) I return to most are probably anything by Linda Chaikin. I've read most everything she's written since I first discovered her as a teen. I feel like I'm actually in the story itself, or that I'm playing opposite her manly heroes
Tori – Aren't Chaikin's hero's just so awesome? Which is your favorite of her books?
Carrie – Thanks for stopping by!
Jessica – I need to read that one again. It's been so long I barely remember it.
Tori, it's been a while since I've read Linda Chaikin's books, but I remember enjoying her exotic settings and exploration of unique periods of history. It's so fun to learn what everyone enjoys reading!
Nice to meet you, Sarah!
One novel I return to often is Charles Sheldon's "In His Steps." It was written in the late 1800s, but asks the questions that keep me grounded and focused. It is so interesting to me that his writing was not acclaimed as unusually beautiful or literary, but his books changed a generation of readers. His question, "What would Jesus do?" impacts readers today and was made popular through a whole new movement–even though they aren't familiar with the book that brought the question to the masses.
To me, that is strong evidence of the Holy Spirit's leading in the author's writing. Hearts submitted, souls and pens rendered unto the Lord–it is the desire of a Christian writer's heart! God bless you as you use your gifts to glorify Him and help his people!