 | |  | |  | |  | |  |
Kim Vogel Sawyer
Featured Books:
Check out this inspiring interview with Kim:
novelinspirations.com: Who has been your biggest inspiration during your writing journey?
KVS: I have been blessed with several people who have inspired me to keep writing—my parents; Mr. Gorsky, an encouraging teacher; even my paternal grandmother (who died when my dad was a boy), whose brief message in an autograph book to my dad planted the longevity of the written word in my heart. But mostly I’m inspired by God, who knew from the time of my birth that I would love to write. He tore down the roadblocks I had constructed, enabling me to write, and it thrills me to write for His glory.
novelinspirations.com: What is your favorite Scripture verse, and why?
KVS: I have several scriptures I live by—Phil 4:4-8 are my life verses, and Psalm 37:4 reminds me to make a close relationship with God the desire of my heart. Most recently I’ve been clinging to Is. 41:10, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” My husband is currently serving in Baghdad, and if I dwell on it too much, fear and worry can overtake me. But reciting that verse reminds me I am not alone; I can lean into His strength and He will sustain me. It brings a rush of peace that doesn’t make much sense from the world’s point of view, but is very much a reality for me.
novelinspirations.com: I fell in love with Henry Braun during Bygones and LOVED the “father/daughter” scene in Beginnings. How do you make your characters so real and so loveable? Do you find inspiration in real people?
KVS: I’m so glad you find these characters real and loveable. :o) They are real, I suppose, because I know them so well. I take the time to become well-acquainted with my characters by closely examining what they want, why they want it, and what stands in their way to achieving their goal. I make sure I am familiar with the interior, exterior, and spiritual side of each character before I start a story. Then they are very real to me, and hopefully that translates to the reader. As for being inspired by real people…oh, yes. Writing is very personal, and I think it’s unavoidable to bring personal feelings and remembrances into our work. None of the characters are exact replicas of people I know, yet some of their characteristics mimic important people in my life.
novelinspirations.com: You also write historicals. Do you find research to be inspiring, or boring? What’s your favorite research resource?
KVS: I LOVE the research side of historical writing. I was a social studies teacher in my “former life” (you know, life-before-writing), and I loved to make history come alive for my students. So the research is a joy to me. The Internet is handy in a pinch, and I make use of it, but my favorite place to research is the library. I love the smell and feel of a stack of books in my arms…and diving in to seek out interesting snippets to weave into my stories is like going on a treasure hunt.
novelinspirations.com: Do you have a piece of advice that might inspire other writers along their journey?
KVS: My best advice is STICK WITH IT. The road to publication isn’t always a short jaunt, and there can be many twists, turns, and detours. Yet every mile serves a purpose, so persevere!
Kim recently won 1st place in the Long Historical category of ACFW’s Book of the Year contest for Waiting for Summer's Return
(Bethany House) and 3rd
place in the short contemporary category of the same for That Wilder Boy (Heartsong Presents).
Visit Kim’s website at http://www.kimvogelsawyer.com
--------------------------------------------------
I reviewed Beginnings for The Christian Suspense Zone
Here’s what I said:
Sawyer has another winner in Beginnings.
Beth Quinn's craft business in stained glass designs is just taking off. After hiring Andrew, her stepfather's nephew, she receives a second commission for her artwork and things seem to be looking up for her. When she receives a contract from McCauley Construction for a large stained glass window, her business gets thrown into overdrive. Can she handle the added pressure without help? Will the God she's recently come to know show her what her future holds?
Andrew Braun struggles against a secret crush on Beth. His Old Order Mennonite parents would never accept her, and his father is already having a hard time with the fact that Andrew would rather work as an artist than on the family farm. When Andrew takes it upon himself to fix something that Beth started, sparks fly. Can this Mennonite boy be more than a friend to Beth?
Sean McCauley met Beth when he delivered the contract for his father's company, and he hasn't been able to get her out of his head since. Beth's independent streak only makes his interest in Beth grow. Is there a chance the prickly business owner might feel the same?
Sawyer has another winner in Beginnings. Lovable characters will touch your heart and make you cheer for them through the book. Sawyer's use of dialogue and setting weaves the reader into the story and makes it hard to put the book down. Faith plays a role in the life of each character, but is handled deftly with Sawyer's gentle touch and won't overwhelm the reader in the least.
This book is a great read and I highly recommend it.
--------------------------------------------------
Check out the following reviews of Kim's books:
Armchair Interviews' review of Bygones
Armchair Interviews' review of Where Willows Grow
Armchair Interviews' review of Waiting for Summer's Return
novelinspirations.com: Who has been your biggest inspiration during your writing journey?
KVS: I have been blessed with several people who have inspired me to keep writing—my parents; Mr. Gorsky, an encouraging teacher; even my paternal grandmother (who died when my dad was a boy), whose brief message in an autograph book to my dad planted the longevity of the written word in my heart. But mostly I’m inspired by God, who knew from the time of my birth that I would love to write. He tore down the roadblocks I had constructed, enabling me to write, and it thrills me to write for His glory.
novelinspirations.com: What is your favorite Scripture verse, and why?
KVS: I have several scriptures I live by—Phil 4:4-8 are my life verses, and Psalm 37:4 reminds me to make a close relationship with God the desire of my heart. Most recently I’ve been clinging to Is. 41:10, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” My husband is currently serving in Baghdad, and if I dwell on it too much, fear and worry can overtake me. But reciting that verse reminds me I am not alone; I can lean into His strength and He will sustain me. It brings a rush of peace that doesn’t make much sense from the world’s point of view, but is very much a reality for me.
novelinspirations.com: I fell in love with Henry Braun during Bygones and LOVED the “father/daughter” scene in Beginnings. How do you make your characters so real and so loveable? Do you find inspiration in real people?
KVS: I’m so glad you find these characters real and loveable. :o) They are real, I suppose, because I know them so well. I take the time to become well-acquainted with my characters by closely examining what they want, why they want it, and what stands in their way to achieving their goal. I make sure I am familiar with the interior, exterior, and spiritual side of each character before I start a story. Then they are very real to me, and hopefully that translates to the reader. As for being inspired by real people…oh, yes. Writing is very personal, and I think it’s unavoidable to bring personal feelings and remembrances into our work. None of the characters are exact replicas of people I know, yet some of their characteristics mimic important people in my life.
novelinspirations.com: You also write historicals. Do you find research to be inspiring, or boring? What’s your favorite research resource?
KVS: I LOVE the research side of historical writing. I was a social studies teacher in my “former life” (you know, life-before-writing), and I loved to make history come alive for my students. So the research is a joy to me. The Internet is handy in a pinch, and I make use of it, but my favorite place to research is the library. I love the smell and feel of a stack of books in my arms…and diving in to seek out interesting snippets to weave into my stories is like going on a treasure hunt.
novelinspirations.com: Do you have a piece of advice that might inspire other writers along their journey?
KVS: My best advice is STICK WITH IT. The road to publication isn’t always a short jaunt, and there can be many twists, turns, and detours. Yet every mile serves a purpose, so persevere!
Kim recently won 1st place in the Long Historical category of ACFW’s Book of the Year contest for Waiting for Summer's Return
(Bethany House) and 3rd
place in the short contemporary category of the same for That Wilder Boy (Heartsong Presents).
Visit Kim’s website at http://www.kimvogelsawyer.com
--------------------------------------------------
I reviewed Beginnings for The Christian Suspense Zone
Here’s what I said:
Sawyer has another winner in Beginnings.
Beth Quinn's craft business in stained glass designs is just taking off. After hiring Andrew, her stepfather's nephew, she receives a second commission for her artwork and things seem to be looking up for her. When she receives a contract from McCauley Construction for a large stained glass window, her business gets thrown into overdrive. Can she handle the added pressure without help? Will the God she's recently come to know show her what her future holds?
Andrew Braun struggles against a secret crush on Beth. His Old Order Mennonite parents would never accept her, and his father is already having a hard time with the fact that Andrew would rather work as an artist than on the family farm. When Andrew takes it upon himself to fix something that Beth started, sparks fly. Can this Mennonite boy be more than a friend to Beth?
Sean McCauley met Beth when he delivered the contract for his father's company, and he hasn't been able to get her out of his head since. Beth's independent streak only makes his interest in Beth grow. Is there a chance the prickly business owner might feel the same?
Sawyer has another winner in Beginnings. Lovable characters will touch your heart and make you cheer for them through the book. Sawyer's use of dialogue and setting weaves the reader into the story and makes it hard to put the book down. Faith plays a role in the life of each character, but is handled deftly with Sawyer's gentle touch and won't overwhelm the reader in the least.
This book is a great read and I highly recommend it.
--------------------------------------------------
Check out the following reviews of Kim's books:
Armchair Interviews' review of Bygones
Armchair Interviews' review of Where Willows Grow
Armchair Interviews' review of Waiting for Summer's Return
Other books by Kim: