Integrating faith and life in novels … meet author Sharon Srock. Her debut novel, Callie, came out this Fall! Good reviews are already coming in! It’s an awesome read: genuine dialogue and believable plot with faith intricately woven throughout the novel.
Check out the plot…
Three dire circumstances. Three desperate prayers. One miracle to save them all.
Callie Stillman is drawn to the evasive girl who’s befriended her granddaughter, but the last time Callie tried to help a child, her efforts backfired. Memories of the tiny coffin still haunt her.
Samantha and Iris Evans should be worried about homework, not whether they can pool enough cash to survive another week of caring for an infant while evading the authorities.
Steve Evans wants a second chance at fatherhood, but his children are missing. And no one seems to want to help the former addict who deserted his family.
For Steve to regain the relationship he abandoned, for his girls to receive the care they deserve, Callie must surrender her fear and rely on God to work the miracle they all need.
Interview with Sharon Srock about her Novels
When did you first discover that you were a writer?
Believe it or not, I went to bed one night, a normal person, and woke up the next morning determined to write a book. I know, now, where that came from. It was more than a little weird at the time.
How much of yourself do you write into your characters?
I don’t, intentionally, write any of me into my characters. That doesn’t mean you won’t find a little piece of me in all of the women. Callie teaches Sunday school and loves her guacamole, Terri is looking for God’s will in her life and arguing the whole way, Pam is learning lessons in forgiveness. Yep, there I am.
Do you have a favorite scene in this book and what would it be?
I think where Pam, Karla, and Terri come to Callie’s house with groceries and stuff for the girls. That is exactly like it would happen, has happened, in my life. Our church family is so generous. I have been on the giving and the receiving end of help.
What do you hope readers will take away from this book?
That sometimes we spend too much time beating ourselves up for something God has already forgiven and forgotten. That we do a disservice to ourselves and others when we indulge in those feelings.
Why do you write the kind of books you do?
It has to be a God thing. I wake up with these stories in my head, things I would never see or think of on my own. He gets all the credit.
How has your writing journey mirrored your faith journey?
Slow and steady. We may come to Christ in a flash of wisdom or conviction, but the relationship He wants to have with us as individuals takes time to grow and nurture. Writing is like that. I had a story in my head and I dumped it on paper, that was fast. The polishing, editing, learning, rewriting…those take a slow and steady effort.
What words of wisdom can you share for those who have little time but long to get the book-in-their-heart down on paper?
Write. That’s the first step. Moving the words from head and heart to paper and computer screen. They don’t have to be perfect words, you can polish later. But you have to have something to polish.
What is one thing you’d recommend to new writers??
Join a writers group and find a good critique partner. That’s two things but they go together. My first visit to the local ACFW chapter was like fresh water in the dessert. Here were people who understood me. They wouldn’t make fun of the voices in my head cause they had similar ones talking to them. They understood the passion of the story and the frustrations of putting that story on paper. Then I found my critique partner. I still think God matched us up. She tells me the truth, she challenges me to be better, she rejoices with my victories, and lends a shoulder for my defeats. You can’t walk this road alone.
As a writer how have you had to grow and stretch out of your comfort zone?
You are looking at it. Learning the craft, editing, and revising were easy compared to putting myself in the path of perfect strangers and begging for their attention. I’m a pretty solitary person. If I had my way, I’d write the book and pay a look alike to go out and face the public.
And…just for fun…if you could spend an evening with one person who is currently alive, who would it be and why?
Nora Roberts. I would pick her brain completely dry.
If you could go to any place in the world to research/write a book, what setting would you choose?
Australia. It’s on my bucket list. I’ll make it someday, God willing.
Get your copy of Callie and enjoy it for a great holiday read! Click here for a peek into the novel.
Callie is available at:
Barnes and Noble
Amazon
Pelican Book Group
But wait…there’s more!! Click for a free pdf to meet the Women of Valley View.
Author Sharon Srock
Sharon Srock lives with her husband, Larry, and two dogs in Rural Oklahoma. She is a mother, grandmother, and Sunday School teacher. Sharon has one and three-quarters jobs and writes in her spare time. Her favorite hobby is traveling with her grandchildren. She is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers and currently serves as treasurer for her local chapter. Sharon’s writing credits include numerous poems and short stories published in science fiction fanzines.
Connect with Sharon Srock on her blog, facebook page, and twitter!
Your Turn
Sharon Srock is offering a gift basket at the end her blog tour! Through a random drawing, she will choose among the blog commenters. Leave a comment below to be entered. Items in the basket include the following and more:
A signed copy of Callie’s story
A gift certificate for book two when it’s available
A nice piece of jewelry, probably a watch
A bath and body set
An AVON gift certificate for 50.00
And more….
I can’t wait to read this book! Thanks! makeighleekyleigh at yahoo.com
It’s a great read! Thanks for stopping by, Megan. :-)
Sharon, thanks for hosting me!!
My pleasure! I hope you book blog tour is going well!! :-)