Persistence Pays: Author Interview with Theresa Santy

What made you decide to write your first novel?

My passion for writing began in early childhood but after walking into my first college writing class, I succumbed to fear, switched my major to Accounting, and forgot about writing. Two decades later, I found myself trying to process the pastor’s words at my aunt and uncle’s wedding. “Surely there’s someone here who could write their story,” he’d said. Their story was powerful. I agreed it should be written, but not by me. So why did I feel like that comment was pointed at my direction? I was not a writer.

My protest was futile. From that moment on, I could not stop myself from writing. I devoured writing literature and wrote like a madwoman. I never did write my aunt and uncle’s story, but at the end of 2009, I told a friend I felt compelled to write a fictional story. “So write it,” she said, and I did, and so began the journey toward my first novel.

In 2013, you won an award for a story with a slightly different name. Is that the book that you published? How did you hear about the publisher or the contest?

Yes. At the Water’s Edge was the original title, but in 2015, a well-known author published a novel with the same title, and my publisher and I decided to change our title to On the Edge.

I found FaithWriters.com while searching for an online writers group. I loved the friendly, nurturing environment, and experienced most of my writing growth there. FaithWriters.com offers writing resources, writer forums, weekly writing challenges, and an annual Page Turner Contest. Winners of the Page Turner contest receive a prize package including a sum of cash, free manuscript editing, and the possibility of publication by Breath of Fresh Air Publishing (BoFAP). It was a fortunate turn of events that I’d won the contest, received free editing, and was accepted for publication!

Who helped you with the editing?

After I’d won the contest, my manuscript was put into the hands of Jan Ackerson, of Superior Editing Services. Jan is an incredibly talented editor who understood my writing style as well as my intentions for the story. I worked on her edits for a few months and submitted the manuscript to Deb Porter, owner of BoFAP.

What did your editor remind you to do most often?

I have a very poor understanding of how commas are supposed to be used, apparently. I can’t tell you how many times I was told to add, delete, or move a comma.

How long did it take to go from the acceptance of your manuscript to the time it was published?

The manuscript was accepted for publication in the summer of 2014. The novel was scheduled to come out the following summer, but it was delayed and came out in March 2016.

Tell me about the process of publishing your book.

The two-year editing process consisted of intense, grueling bursts of refining, and long, dry spells of waiting. This was my favorite part of the writing process. It was thrilling to watch my original story transform from “Hmm. I think I have a story here.” To “Holy Toledo, this is looking like an actual, real novel!”

I was fortunate to be able to work with Deb and Jan on this book. These amazing women brought my book to life. I also received relentless support from a handful of close friends, women who encouraged me when I was up and lifted me out of the dark when I was down. My gratitude also goes out to FaithWriters.com, where I felt safe to spread my writing wings.

What is the hardest part of writing for you? Starting? Creating a scene? Dialog? Tension, etc?

Starting is definitely the hardest part about writing for me. I’ve logged lots of hours staring at a blank page. But once I start, the story or scene practically writes itself.

What’s the best encouragement you’ve had in your writing?

At a FaithWriters Writing Conference in Portland, Oregon, I met bestselling author Leslie Gould. As I babbled on about my work in progress, Leslie listened. She told me I had a good story and she encouraged me to enter the Page Turner contest. Leslie’s encouragement came at a time when I was experiencing a lot of fear and doubt. Leslie and I stayed in touch. She fielded questions, helped me with my synopsis, and wrote an endorsement for On the Edge. Having an established author who believed in me was a blessing unlike any other.

What has surprised you the most in writing/publishing? 

What surprised me most during the writing process was how willing folks were to share their expertise with me. Police officers, EMTs, a rescue diver, a boat expert, a pastor, an auto mechanic specializing in Mustangs, and an ER nurse were all more than happy to answer my research questions.

What frustrated you the most?

One of the most frustrating aspects of writing is how isolating a writer’s life can become. Sometimes, you can’t get outside of your own head and it seems that no one understands what you’re going through. I’ve learned how important it is for every writer to collect a few close writer friends. These are the folks who get you, who know what you’re going through, and who know how to pull you out.

What do you know now about writing that you wished you had known sooner?

People’s reactions to your writing are not a reflection of you, but a reflection of themselves. If I’d learned this long ago, I could have saved myself a lot of hurt feelings.

What is some of the best writing advice that you’ve received or could give?

The only way to become a good writer is to do the work. Log the hours. Sit down and write. Never give up. The difference between published and non-published writers is persistence. Find a good editor, and she/he will be worth their weight in gold.

Are there any other points about writing that you would like to add?

Yes. These are my favorite writing resources:

·        Bird by Bird, by Anne Lamott

·        On Writing, by Stephen King

·        The Synonym Finder, by J.I. Rodale

·        The Emotion Thesaurus, by Angela Ackerman & Becca Puglisi

·        The First Five Pages, by Noah Lukeman

·        Self-Editing for Fiction Writers, by Renni Browne & Dave King

 What is the next book that will be coming out? Can you give me a short synopsis?

I’m presently writing two books that are related to my first one. On the Edge was written from Kristen’s POV, the sequel will be from her best friend Alana’s POV. The second book will be a re-write of On the Edge from the villain’s POV. I’m looking forward to diving deeper into the minds and souls of these two compelling characters.

Sounds compelling. You have a great list of writing books that I’ve often heard touted by other authors. I would suggest my readers look them up.

That’s all for today’s interview. If you would like to learn more about Theresa’s books, here are two links to get started.

theresasanty.com    Amazon Page: http://amzn.to/2ur81Ta

The Long Process from First Draft to Publication:An Interview with Kathryn Cushman

Let’s go back to the beginning. Your first novel was published in 2007. I know that was nine years ago, but what inspired you to write that story?
A Promise to Remember was inspired by a true event near my home. It was not exactly the same situation, but it was a fatal crash involving teenagers and lawsuits. The story got me pondering the need for punishment vs. accountability vs grace. I wanted to write a story where I could explore those issues, and A Promise to Remember resulted from that. 

Did you get discouraged at all in the writing process? 
I did get discouraged in the writing process. A Promise to Remember was actually my third completed manuscript, but it was the first one to see print. I started writing in 2003 and got my first contract in 2006. Those in-between years felt VERY long.

How long did it take you to write that first book? 
I've written each of my books in the course of roughly a year. 

Did you start with the idea of writing a series? 
The Tomorrow's Promise books are mostly alike in theme rather than a true book series, although a couple of characters from Waiting for Daybreak make a cameo appearance in Another Dawn. I'm still thinking, though. I keep trying to come up with a series idea, but haven't really been able to do so. 

Book 5 of your Tomorrow’s Promise series deals with the Amish lifestyle. What drew you to writing that book?
I grew up near an Amish community in Tennessee, and after watching their lifestyle, I was always thankful that I lived with modern conveniences (especially cars, air-conditioning, and indoor plumbing :-) ). I began to toy with the idea of putting some modern women in the "simple" life, and see what would happen. The Almost Amish story line grew from that initial idea, and many, many, many discussions with my editor. 

How did you go about finding a publisher/agent?

Writers Conferences!! I attended my first Mount Hermon Christian Writers conference in 2004. I signed with my first agent in late 2005. He began to send out proposals, but it was during the Mount Hermon conference in 2006 when I made contacts with several editors that things really started rolling. Within a month, I had two offers. The importance of face to face meetings can not be overstated.

What’s the best encouragement you’ve had in your writing?
At my first conference, I signed up to be in a mentoring group. James Scott Bell was the published author who led our group of about 12 learners. At that point, I didn't know enough to know that I didn't know much, but several members of my group understood it very well! It was pretty brutal, but James kept pulling them back and he found some points of encouragement for me. I went home and laid all their comments side by side and began making changes.
. 

The next year, I signed up for groups again, and once again I was put in James Scott Bell's group. This time, he said to me, "Is this the same story from last year? You really took what you learned and ran with it. Well done." Six months later, I got the chance to attend a mentoring only conference. Once again I was placed in James Scott Bell's group, this time with a completely new story. I saw him on the sidewalk before class started and he said, "This is it kid. You're going to break in with this one." I'll never forget that moment. (Turns out, he was right. That was A Promise to Remember)

What’s the hardest part about writing for you?
First drafts!! I despise them. Especially the middle of the book in first draft. I have to force myself to sit down and type at that stage. With each successive read through, though, I enjoy the process more and more. By the end, I'm having my computer read the story aloud as I'm listening for sentence rhythm and word usage. That's my favorite part.

What does your editor remind you to do most often?
Increase the stakes! Always. In every single book. I now write hearing that voice in my head, and yet I still start out with weak stakes. Always. In every single book.

What type of publicity does your publisher expect you to do in promoting your book?
Thankfully, Bethany House is one of the few remaining publishers who tells authors to "do what you're comfortable doing". I've tried a little bit of everything, but I don't feel pressured at all.

What did you learn in publishing your first book that helped you in your writing?
Somewhere in the middle of writing every book I want to quit, set it aside, and start something else. I've learned to stick with it and finish.

What surprised you the most in writing/publishing your first book?
Surprised- The overwhelming support I received from friends and family. 

What frustrated you the most?
Frustrated- Not much actually. I was happy with the whole process.


What do you know now about writing that you wished you had known sooner?

Wish I'd known sooner-- Getting published does not in any way help your confidence or feelings of self-worth like I thought it would. Those things have to come from God. Period.

What is the best advice you’ve been given about writing or that you’ve learned that you would like to pass along?
Write the books you are interested in writing / reading. Don't write toward the market, because by the time the book is finished, the market will have changed.

Do you have any other works in the process?
Yes, I'm currently attempting to survive through the next first draft. We shall see if I make it out on the other side :-)

That's all for today's interview. I will add that I just finished reading her current book entitled Fading Starlight. It flows well and has good character development that made me continue to turn the pages. If you'd like to learn more about Katherine's books, here's a couple of links to get you started.

http://kathryncushman.com/
http://www.facebook.com/authorkathryncushman