This Multi-Published Author Has a LOT Going On.

With a busy woman like this, you might wonder what this talented person does in her free time. Or maybe you might ask if she has free time at all.

Michelle Sutton is the author of over a dozen novels, a member of ACFW, a book reviewer, an avid blogger, the mother of two young college students, a wife of over two decades, and a follower of Jesus Christ.

SDC: We welcome you Michelle. Please take a moment to tell us about your book(s). I read one you wrote a couple of years ago, but have since fallen behind. I for one am really interested.

MS: Let's see. I have a bunch of books. I have two romantic suspense novels (they are in a series) and the titles are Danger at the Door and In Plain Sight. They are e-books with Desert Breeze. I also have a contemporary romance series set in Tombstone that features the actors who dress up on their free time and participate in local events. These three titles are First Impressions and First Love (I'm writing First Response right now.) Those are my five e-books. I currently have three paperbacks. The first is It's Not About Me (I believe that is the book you read), and It's Not About Him. These are Young Adult books and are available right now in the 75 author Online Christian Book signing bash (You can find the event online at http://www.christianreviewofbooks.com/) Last, my other paperback that is also available as an e-book, is Never Without Hope. It's my Women's Fiction title. The next book in the series I am writing right now. It's called Their Separate Ways and it releases in July 2011. I also have the first book in the Healing Hearts series titled Letting Go, and that will be releasing as an e-book in February and in paperback format in August 2011. I have recently contract for a stand alone romantic suspense title through Desert Breeze called In Sheep's Clothing. That book will release in Sept 2011. As you can see, I've got a lot going on.

SKC: You sure do. I understand Edgy is the name of your game in some cases. It's an area of fiction I appreciate because it makes the ministering stories so true to life in many cases. What made you decide to write in your particular genre?

MS: Actually, I never planned to write edgy fiction. I kept having people tell me that's what my writing was. So the label stuck and I started an Edgy Christian Fiction Lovers ning site for people who enjoy that type of Christian fiction. But right now I am trying to steer away from that label a bit because I don't want to be known so much by the fact that my writing pushes boundaries. My new brand is Healing Hearts after my new series that begins with Letting Go. Since all of my books deal with healing hearts, it makes sense to focus on the ministry and the takeaway value of my novels and less on the fact that they may be a bit edgy. I want people to focus on the healing aspect of my books, so if you can help spread the word, that's great. You can see my new logo on my website, http://www.michellesutton.net/  and on my blog(s) http://www.edgyinspirationalauthor.blogspot.com/ http://www.healingheartsseries.blogspot.com/ http://www.neverwithouthopethenovel.blogspot.com/

SDC: Tell us about some of your experiences with readers who’ve read your work and have been affected in some way. Do you get many letters?

MS: I get random e-mails all the time. In fact, I've gotten them on just about every book so far. It's always a nice surprise to find out that your novels have made a difference in someone's life. I probably get the most feedback right now from people regarding Never Without Hope. I couldn't tell you the number of heartfelt e-mails and letters I've gotten from women who felt like this book really touched them deeply. Some people told me in person with tears in their eyes that my book really blessed them.

SDC: Even the cover to your book Never Without Hope is enough to draw a reader's attention. After a long day of writing or doing revisions in a story what is the very first thing you do?

MS: Grab a book to read. I know, I'm such a fiction addict.

SDC: I love to read too, mostly late at night. How long have you been writing, Michelle?

MS: I started in August 2003 and haven't quit.

SDC: What do you say to encourage other authors who get rejection slips due to the style of their writing, and how have you reacted in the past when, and if you have received one?

MS: I've received so many but since I always submit through my agent, she is the only one who really knows the number. I'm guessing it's close to a hundred.

SDC: How did your present publisher find you?

MS: I have several publishers. They found me through submissions and queries.

SDC: What excites you most about your writing experience, Michelle?

MS: I love having characters surprise me with what they do and say. I also love it when I feel God is behind the story and He is nudging me in the direction He wants the story to go. It's always the most painful road, but ultimately the most blessed path the characters can take. But that's just like God.

SDC: What other books are your reading right now?

MS: It changes daily. I've read 108 or so books so far in 2010.

SDC: Wow! That's a lot. Remind us again of what you have in the works for later next year so we won't forget.

MS: I have four books releasing (so far) in 2011 and more in 2012 and 2013. I hope to keep my readers happy by supplying them with plenty of options.

SDC: I hear you have a book to offer our readers. What question can you ask that might prepare them for your type of writing, Michelle?

MS: I'd like to one more giveaway since there are a lot of people who wanted to win this book but didn't get the chance. This will be my final giveaway for the year. I'll be giving away Never Without Hope, which is my "adultery" story. I want readers to know that it's not for people who want an easy read. This story is full emotion, but I write what I like to read. And the affair isn't off camera. I wanted readers to really get into Hope's head, and that means going through the affair with her…from the exciting and addicting beginning, to the ugly and remorse-filled end. The reader will experience all of that. So if that's not something you want to experience, (it's also in first person POV,) then you don't want to enter the contest for a chance to win this book.

SDC: Thanks for pointing that out, Michelle. But it sounds like an enlightening book to me. I just might try for it myself! Thank you so much for coming by! I look forward to reading more of your work.

Readers. You noted above Michelle's giveaway option. The question for you to reply to is this. How do you think an edgy story that goes in depth about a person's personal life can minister to both a believer AND nonbeliever?

Congratulations to Sheila Deeth of Beaverton, Oregon. What a great Christmas gift. You'll be hearing from Michelle Sutton soon.  And have a wonderful time celebrating the birth of our wonderful Lord.

There's Always Something About Mary ... Isn't There?

I'm continually amazed at what I learn about other authors out and about these days. This week I'm anxious to tell you about MARY.

Mary, you say? Which Mary?

Well, anyone called Mary usually has something great to tell, don't you think? Let's see what we'll learn from Mary Manners, this grand lady who hails from the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee with her husband, Tim, and their daughter, Danni, as well as dogs Abby and Molly and cats Lucky and Gus. Mary is an award-winning, multi-published author of inspirational romance. You can visit her at http://www.marymannersromance.com/  

SKC: Welcome to you Mary. I love that porch where you are standing! Tell us what book or project would you like to speak about this week?

MM: I’d like to tell everyone about my contemporary inspirational romance, Mended Heart

SKC: That's a great title. What inspired you to come up with writing in your genre?

MM: I like to share God’s many blessings with my readers, and give a message of hope and happiness.

SKC: And how important it is for us to hear and read those things in this day! How long had you been writing before you got your call (or email) from an editor?

MM: I have been writing since birth!! No, really…I completed my first full-length story in the sixth grade, but had been seriously pursuing a writing career for about three years when I got the email from Nicola Martinez at White Rose Publishing.

SKC: And what a joy it must be for you to be at White Rose. There are great people over there. What advice do you have for other new authors coming into the field of writing, Mary?

MM: Write, write, write! The more you write, the better you become. Also, submit your work to contests and take the judges’ feedback to heart. You can learn a lot from another reader’s ‘fresh’ eyes.

SKC: I've not been one to enter contests. Maybe I'll change that this coming year. How do you overcome writer’s block, or do you ever get that?

MM: I mow.

SKC: You MOW?

MM: Seriously…I live on two acres and when a block hits, I go out and push mow. It’s like taking a sledgehammer to a dam. During cooler months, I light some scented candles and just sit in front of the keyboard until the words come. I do not pass go…you know the saying.

SKC: I've NEVER heard that one before. What a great way to think! Hmmm. Mow. Okay, what do you think it takes to write a good book?

MM: A great imagination, outstanding imagery, and a desire to share what’s in your heart. I also think life experiences bring a certain authenticity to a person’s writing. The older you get and the more you experience, the better you can relate to what a character feels in any given situation.

SKC: Thank you for the wonderful insight, Mary. What is your process of writing a novel, briefly—from conception to revision?

MM: I begin with a phrase, idea or situation and build on it brick by brick, like building a house. I begin by writing in a steno pad—character names, quirks, fears, likes, etc. Then I weave the first few chapters before transferring over to my laptop. I don’t typically use an outline, but have a good idea of where I’m going. Sometimes I’m surprised, though, which is always good.

SKC: We hope to share one of your books with one of our readers this week. Are you ready? Think of something you might ask a fan that would spark your interest in subject matter for your next project. What would that question be?

MM: (Here it is) Have you ever said something in the heat of the moment that you wished you could take back, because it changed the course of a relationship forever? If so, what was it, and how would you handle the situation differently if you were given a second chance?

SKC: Now, that's quite a question for reflection! See that, readers? We thank you for participating, Mary! Before you leave, tell us where the readers can find you and your work.

MM: Readers can find MENDED HEART at www.whiterosepublishing.com  and at www.amazon.com  or order autographed copies by visiting my website at www.marymannersromance.com 

SKC: Great. And I know someone will be looking forward to winning a copy. Thanks again.  Readers and viewers: Check out Mary's question for you above and send us your comments. Don't forget to include your email address for me. Names are drawn at random at the end. God bless you all.

Congratulations to Pegg Thomas of Ossineke, MI. You JUST won a copy of Mended Heart. Be watching for it soon. A great Christmas gift, yes? Blessings for a wonderful Christmas and New Year to you.