Sharon Dunn Interview

Q: How did you get your start writing fiction and what genre do you predominantly write in?

A. My first love has always been mystery and that is where I started out when I got my Ruby Taylor mysteries published in 2003. Now I’ve switched over to writing Romantic Suspense which in a lot of ways is more challenging.  

Q: In this busy world, how do you find time to connect with God and how does this impact your writing? 

A. Lately I have been listening to a lot of instrumental music on my I-pod. There’s something about closing my eyes and getting lost in the song that feels like worship to me. Love it. I am normally more of a study my Bible logical kind of gal, but because of some trials I’ve been going through, I find the connection is stronger through the music.

Q: What part of a writing career do you find most difficult?

A. Staying on a schedule with all the aspects connected with writing: writing, editing and promoting. I am a very focused person, but switching gears between those three things isn’t easy for me. 

Q: Would you tell us about your current book release Montana Standoff?  

A: I am so excited about this book. It is a Romantic Times top pick. Sarah Langston finds herself dragged into the Montana wilderness by two thugs threatening to kill her if she doesn’t tell them where her drug addict brother is.  Her rescuer, Officer Bryan Keyes, is the last man Sarah ever expected to see again.  Ten years ago, when they were both teenagers they fell in love and had a child they gave up for adoption. Bryan believes Sarah’s kidnapping is connected to a human trafficking investigation. The two of them must work together to find Sarah’s brother and unravel the criminal connections as pain over the past rises to the surface. Will there be a second chance for a love that bloomed too soon? 

Q: Where did you get your inspiration for Montana Standoff?

A: I came up with idea of writing three connected books and three women who met when they were each pregnant teens at a home called Naomi’s Place. Each book follows the women ten years after they meet. In this first book Sarah and Bryan confront the pain over the choices they made ten year ago in giving up their child. The second book is about a woman named Clarissa who miscarried and ended up running away from Naomi’s Place. The final book is about a woman who kept her child. Each woman gets caught up in some kind of suspenseful story. All the books take place in a town in Montana called Discovery. 

Q: Tell us a little about your main character and how you developed him/her:

A: I loved writing about Sarah because she is a survivor. Orphaned at a young age, she and her brother had a terrible childhood. But they loved each other and took care of each other. And Sarah took the mistake of her teen years and turned it into something good because she now works for an adoption agency. I love that she still love her brother even though his life went in a much different direction. 

Q: What did you enjoy most about writing this book? Least?

A: The action is non stop and I really like writing action scenes. As to the least enjoyable–it took me a while to get the character motivations straightened out so the plot had some forward motion. The early stages when character and plot are still foggy can be scary. I’m always afraid I won’t be able to turn my vague idea into a book.    

Q: What is the main theme or spiritual message of this book?

A: That you are not defined by past mistakes and there is always a second chance for love

Q: Would you share with us what you are working on now?  

A. I’m working on another Love Inspired Suspense that has a working title of Safe in the Wild. It connects with book one in that is focuses on the second of the three friends who met at Naomi’s Place. This book has the main character escaping the bad guy who is after her by joining a survival expedition that is headed into the wilderness of Montana. Of course the leader of the survival school is the love interest.

Q: What does your writing space look like? 

A: Post it notes. You can never have enough post it notes. They are an unorganized person’s best friend.

Q: If you could have dinner with 2 people, who would they be?

A. My husband because he is the most interesting and funny person I know and the Pope Francis. I’m not Catholic but love some of the things he has said and done.

Q: Do you have a favorite hobby?

A. We have hiking trails right outside our house and lately I have been walking a lot.

Q: What is the most rewarding thing you have ever done? 

A. Be a mom.

 Q: Where can readers find you on the internet? 

A. www.sharondunnbooks.net  

Q: Anything else you’d like to tell or share with us?  

A. After years of being overweight, I have been exercising and eating right for about two weeks and have lost five pounds. I know it sounds like a small amount. But the change in thinking and believing that I can lose the weight is a huge victory for me. So be excited and cheer me on and pray for me. Yeah!!!