An interview with Michelle Sutton!

Writer's Block welcomes back Michelle Sutton!

Cindy: My, you've been busy since your first book, It's Not About Me, came out (Sept. 2008). Briefly describe that work and the newest ones, It's Not About Him (released Sept. 2009) and It's Not About Her (to be released Sept. 2010):

Michelle: It's Not About Me is the story of a young high school graduate whose future is demolished by a senseless attack. She learns what true love is when two brothers who claim to have her best interests in mind vie for her attention to win her heart.

It's Not About Him continues the series when a young woman who was raped while passed out at a party in book 1 finds herself in a crisis pregnancy. Her friends won't help her get an abortion and when she finds Christ she decides to place her baby for adoption.

The second book is about her journey in that regard and her developing love relationship with a young man who offers to marry her so she'll keep her baby.

It's Not About Her is the story of the young man who doesn't get the girl in book 1 and who nearly destroys his life in book 2. He gets the third book all to himself.

Cindy: You've also got seven other projects in the works in addition to Danger at the Door (released Aug 2009). We'll begin with that one. Briefly describe the story:

Michelle: Danger at the Door is a romantic suspense with comedic elements built around miscommunication. The hero speaks very little English and while befriending a woman who is afraid to leave her home, he slowly wins her trust. However, there is a man stalking her and she doesn't know who to trust so she feels safer at home. She just feels like someone is watching her and worries that she is losing her mind.

Cindy: First Impressions is scheduled for release in January 2010. And what is it about?

Michelle: I call this my Tombstone story. It's a cowboy romance about a female captain in the Army who is shy and not getting any younger so she decides to play the role of a saloon girl in the town on her free time so she can get more comfortable around men and learn to flirt. She is terrible at it, though, but it does lead to a relationship with a man from her past. Only he doesn't remember her, so she's decided to either resurrect those old memories in him or create new ones. The problem is that he is so "into" her that he starts to backslide and then everything between them starts falling apart.

Cindy: Are all of your works (published and works in progress) Young Adult or do you also write in other genres?

Michelle: Only the "It's Not About…" books are YA. The rest are contemporary romance, women's fiction, or romantic suspense.

Cindy: You have two teenage sons. When do you find the time to write?

Michelle: Whenever I can. Lately I have more time since I've resigned as Editor-in Chief-of the online magazine that used to take up a lot of my free time.

Cindy: Does your family influence your writing or story ideas in any way?

Michelle: Not really. Most of the characters are based on people outside of my immediate or even extended family.

Cindy: Where can we learn more about you?

Michelle: On my blog or website. http://www.michellesutton.net or http://edgyinspirationalauthor.blogspot.com

Cindy: Where can your books be purchased?

Michelle: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Christianbook.com, the Desert Breeze publishing site, and other online sites. Plus they can be ordered in most bookstores (my YA books).

Cindy: How can we get a signed copy of one of your books?

Michelle: I can autograph a sticker and send it to people to put in their book. I prefer that to selling the few books I have stashed for promo purposes.

Cindy: What is your goal behind your stories; what do you hope the reader gets from them?

Michelle: I hope my readers get a better understanding of true faith and what it means to have a personal relationship with the living God. I also want my readers to see how God uses everything for His ultimate glory.

Welcome back, Donetta Garman!

Cindy: The Length of a Dream... what's it about?

Donetta: "The Length of a Dream" is an inspirational historical novel set in the time period right after the end of the civil war. The story takes place in a small frontier town in Colorado.

When a man named Joshua rides into the little western town of Uptop and meets Hannah Fain Mullins, the woman at the well, the community is in for a big change. Meanwhile, Hannah's husband, Flint, has been captured by Indians and as he makes his way home and survives many adventures, he rediscovers his faith in God. The story follows the lives of these frontier men and women as they fight to survive the harsh realities of the west, while exploring the length of their dreams.

Cindy: How did you come up with the idea for the story?

Donetta: I have always had an active imagination, but my inspiration came from the story in the Bible about the woman at the well.

Cindy: What are you working on now and when do you expect to have it completed?

Donetta: I'm not sure when I will have my next book completed. I am hoping for spring 2010. I am writing the sequel to my first book, "Growing Up Ugly" and it is titled "Up By the Bootstraps".

I have also started a book to follow "The Length of a Dream" titled, "Up by the Bootstraps.

There is also a children's book and book of devotions in the works!

Cindy: You're writing a column for Crossmap.com now. How did that come about?

Donetta: One of the authors suggested I try writing a bit of encouragement for them and the editor said she liked my idea.

Cindy: What inspires you to write?

Donetta: Everything. Leaves falling, a sunrise, a child's giggle; music, reading other people's work, everything.

Cindy: What one thing do you hope your readers will take away with them when they read The Length of a Dream?

Donetta: The knowledge that God is in control.

Cindy: How did you get started in writing?

Donetta: I have written down my thoughts, stories, poem and feelings for as long as I can remember. It was the process I used for healing.

Cindy: Where might we learn more about you and your work?

Donetta: Readers can visit my website at http://www.growingupugly.com for more information and links.

Cindy: Where can your books be purchased?

Donetta: Borders, Barnes and Noble, Amazon.com, Books-a-Million and most other brick and mortar book stores. If they are not in stock, they can order them. Or locally, there are many stores that carry the book. Otherwise, they can contact me via my website and I will be glad to send them one.

Cindy: Do you offer signed copies and if so, how can one get a copy signed by you?

Donetta: My address and information is on my website. I would be glad to sign and mail a book to a reader. Also, I have been doing women's retreats, book signings and other events and I have my books at those events.

If you are a fan, feel free to ask me in person. Chances are there are several riding around in the trunk of my car.

Thank you, Cindy, for the opportunity to chat with you and thank you readers and fans for reading my work. I feel blessed and honored.