Today I’m super-excited to welcome Sarah Sundin to talk about her fabulous debut novel, A Distant Melody. I just reviewed this book on Tuesday, so feel free to check that out to see how awesome a book it is. =)
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About Sarah
Sarah Sundin’s first novel, A Distant Melody, was released in March 2010 by Revell. She lives in northern California with her husband and three children. When she isn’t ferrying kids to soccer and karate, she works on-call as a hospital pharmacist and teaches Sunday school and women’s Bible studies.
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About A Distant Melody
Never pretty enough to please her gorgeous mother, Allie will do anything to gain her approval—even marry a man she doesn’t love. Lt. Walter Novak—fearless in the cockpit but hopeless with women—takes his last furlough at home in California before being shipped overseas. Walt and Allie meet at a wedding and their love of music draws them together, prompting them to begin a correspondence that will change their lives. As letters fly between Walt’s muddy bomber base in England and Allie’s mansion in an orange grove, their friendship binds them together. But can they untangle the secrets, commitments, and expectations that keep them apart?
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What’s your latest book?
A Distant Melody, Revell, March 2010.
Which was soooooooo good. Check out my review. What was the hardest part to write?
For me, the hardest part to write is always the first chapter—you have to do so much in so few pages. One scene that was emotionally difficult to write was late in the book when Walt receives bad news similar to bad news I once received. My first draft of that chapter was short and flat. I realized I didn’t want to delve into his emotions, but I had to—for Walt’s sake and for the story—and for myself.
Well, there was no flatness in those late bad-news scenes, so you obviously dug your toes in, gritted your teeth, and poured those emotions out! Is there any one thing or reference you keep handy when writing? Anything you kept around for this particular book?
I keep my whole bookcase handy when I write. I have three five-inch binders filled with research notes (yes, sick), plus another binder with story notes, character charts, and plot outlines. For this particular book I kept going back to my reference books on Army Air Force uniforms, Eighth Air Force history and procedures, and the B-17 pilot’s manual.
Well, that explains your expertise! I was struck time and again with the knowledge you effortlessly imparted. And speaking of knowledge . . . what lessons have you learned through the publication process that you wouldn’t have guessed as a pre-published writer?
I knew about the editing process and how much publicity needed to be done, but I didn’t know about the random assignments, often with short deadlines: title & cover questionnaires, catalog copy, influencer lists, marketing plans, etc. Also I didn’t realize how much juggling I would do. Currently I’m doing publicity for A Distant Melody, I just finished Revell’s edits for Book 2, I’m polishing Book 3 before I turn it in, and I’m preparing a proposal for another series.
Well, if you decide to branch out as a circus clown, you’ll have your juggling act down! (Hmm, a circus of writers. I think we’re onto something here! I know some hilarious characters in the writing world, LOL.) Anyway. Are there any people (family, writing group, editors) who you rely on when writing?
So many! First of all, I run my early chapters through my writers group, and then I have several good writer friends who read the whole manuscript. My mother and sister always see an early draft—they’re fantastic at picking out punctuation and grammar issues. I also ran this series through a pilot friend to make sure I didn’t make any major errors in the flying scenes. The first two novels in this series were also read by about two dozen reading friends in three-ring binder format when I’d given up hope of publication. A side benefit of this was I had two dozen friends encouraging me and praying for me, and now they’re wonderful cheerleaders. Love them.
Yep, they’re priceless. Aside from writing, what takes up most of your time?
Driving. My kids are 11, 14, and 17, so I spend lots of time carting them to soccer, baseball, choir, karate, and youth group. And a big, furry demand on my time is our yellow lab. Daisy wants to play. All the time. And if I don’t play with her, she snatches papers, pens, and eating utensils from the counter. With all the chasing I do, I should be a lot skinnier.
I think your dog and my son are on the same wavelength . . . LOL. Any upcoming releases we should keep our eye out for?
The second book in the Wings of Glory series, A Memory Between Us, releases in September 2010, and the third book in August 2011.
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Thanks so much for visiting with us, Sarah! Everybody, you gotta check out her blog at http://www.sarahsundin.blogspot.com and her fun website at http://www.sarahsundin.com. You can find A Distant Melody at Amazon, ChristianBook, B&N, Borders, and CrossPurposes.
Void where prohibited. Contest ends 4/22/10. Winner will have two weeks to claim book before another is selected.
Roseanna M. White is a bestselling, Christy Award winning author who has long claimed that words are the air she breathes. When not writing fiction, she’s homeschooling her two kids, editing, designing book covers, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of a slew of historical novels that span several continents and thousands of years. Spies and war and mayhem always seem to find their way into her books…to offset her real life, which is blessedly ordinary.
I too love the cover. It's a picture that makes you want to open up that book! Enter me too.
jancline@ymail.com
I just love this cover and the content is just as great! Please enter me into the contest. Carman sent me.
lindawn(at)hotmail(dot)com
Please Take me out pf the contest because I just found a distant melody at the library, and I am so excited I absolutely cannot wait to read it!!!!!:)
lindseypa89(at)yahoo(dot)com
"Like" not "look." 😉
I look novels about this time period.
Please enter me–thanks!
hismercysurrounding(at)yahoo(dot)com
Thanks, everyone! I'm amazed to hear how many of you have already heard of my book – and excited about how many of you enjoy WWII fiction.
Hi…i forgot to mention Carmen sent me…Thanx :p
Hi…
I have recently been looking and Christian fiction and came across your site. I have never read Sarah Sundin's book before and I would love a chance to read it.
I am joining the contest too.
estherym[at]yahoo.com
i'm very interested in reading this fabulous book…thanks for the opportunity 🙂
karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com
I've been so anxious to read this book!! Please enter me! Thanks!!!
jackie.smithATdishmailDOTnet
I'd love to read this book! It looks so great! Please enter me.
lubell1106(at)gmail(dot)com
Oh Please add me to win this book I have been wanting to read it so bad!!
I would really love the chance to win it!! Thanks!!
lindseypa89(at)yahoo(dot)com
This sounds really good. Please include me.
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
I absolutely love the cover of this book and would love to win it. I love books that are set during the WWII era. Please enter me into your contest and thank you for the opportunity.
Smiles & Blessings,
Cindy W.
countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com
Oh thank you would love to win the book
mamat2730(at)charter(dot)net
I keep hearing about this book, and it sounds excellent! World War II romance is my favorite time period to read about. Please enter me 🙂
ksmiley2[at]kent[dot]edu
This looks like a wonderful book. Please enter me. It looks like a lot of good research went into this one.
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net
my daughters love reading historical based books. We just finished watching the Combat series. WWII
Love to win. Thanks
ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com
Definitely enter me. Sounds like a good book. Before I forget, Carman sent me.
Please enter me. Thanks.
desertrose5173 at gmail dot ocm
Please enter me! I love this book. I have a copy, but I would love to win one that I could give to a friend!
booklovercb[at]yahoo[dot]com
Awesome, another chance to win this book! I want it sooooo bad!! 🙂 It sounds completely amazing and the reviews have been superb!! Great Job, Sarah!! Thanks for having her Roseanna! You're great too! 🙂
Hi everyone! Thanks for your kind words.
Stephanie M – yes, three binders. I hang my head in shame. I'm such a nerd.
As for the rest of you – well, you're definitely persistant 🙂 I wish all of you could win the book!
I love WW2 fiction, especially ones well researched and i have heard rave reviews on this one! martha(at)lclink(dot)com
I love and admire Sarah as a faithful FB friend, a great writer, and a fabulous person, and would love to have an autographed copy of her first novel.
Thanks for the opportunity to win one.
boyetts@bellsouth.net
Books written in the WWII era are my favorites! I've seen Sarah's book plastered all over the internet getting rave reviews!! Since my birthday is months away – in time for the release of the SECOND book – I'm hoping to get A Distant Melody before then, whether by buying, borrowing, or winning! 🙂 [Sarah will likely recognize my name and profile – having entered just about every giveaway so far – lol!]
Enjoyed the interview. At least Sarah has all of her research organized in binders. My 'remember this' and 'this is interesting' papers are scattered all through the house. Not good.
Thanks for the giveaway!
mybabyblessings [at] gmail [dot] com
THREE FIVE-INCH BINDERS OF NOTES??????
This is why I'm not a historical writer. No wonder your book is so fabulous, Sarah!
I've seen this book a lot of places, and I can't wait to get it!
Thanks for the interview. It's nice to know I'm not the only one with binders full of research:)