Kim Vogel Sawyer Interview

When did you discover you wanted to write? How long did it take you to become published?
I’ve always wanted to write. I told my kindergarten teacher that someday people would check out my books in the library. Forty years later, that statement proved true.

What has been the hardest thing to overcome on your road to publication? The most rewarding?
The hardest thing to overcome is the rejection! It’s hard to keep throwing your work in front of editors when you’re met with a series of “no, thank you.” Yet, if the pull on heart persists, you can’t help but continue to try. The most rewarding moment came the day I could call my dad, who has encouraged and supported my desire to be published, and say, “Guess what, Daddy? I’ve got a contract.” His joy gave me such pleasure.

What is the most meaningful reader feedback you’ve received on one of your books?
A woman who read my first Heartsong Presents novel, Dear John, wrote to tell me reading the story had helped her realize her life, despite a disability (she’d had polio as a child and was physcially handicapped), had meaning and value. I still get a lump in my throat when I think about that.

I was touched by your characters in Bygones – they seem so real! How do you get to know your characters so well and translate that intimate knowledge to the page?
Well, thank you. The characters are so real to me, it’s nice to know that translates to the reader. :o) As for how I do that…I’ve always had a very active imagination, so the characters come to life in my head. I spend time examining what each character really wants, why they want it, and what stumblingblocks stand in the way. When I know them well, they tend to come to life on the page.

From browsing your website, it seems that your family is very important to you. How do you strike a healthy balance between your family and your writing? Has your family been supportive of your writing career?
Yes, my family is precious to me. I’m fortunate now that my only job is writing. That means I enter my office and leave my office at set times, giving me evenings and weekends to spend with my family. Years ago, when I taught full-time and had to sneak in my time to write, I did a lot of writing in the middle of the night, while my family slept. When I told my husband I was going to leave the classroom to write full-time, there was some concern–publishing can be rather capricious! We had to work through the worry about income, but he’s now one of my biggest cheerleaders. My girls just think it’s neat that Mom’s name is on the covers of books, and my oldest grandson has been known to tell people in stores that his gramma is an “auffer.” lol

What authors and genres do you enjoy reading? Do you have a favorite book?
I like to read character-driven stories that have a literary feel. If I start naming authors, I know I’ll leave somebody out, so I won’t name names. ;o) My all-time favorite novel is To Kill A Mockingbird. I read that story for the first time when I was a freshman in high school, and it impacted me so deeply. I’ve read it dozens of times, and each time it sucks me in, making me a part of Scout’s world. Awesome story…

You write in both historical and contemporary settings. Do you have a favorite? If so, why?
My favorite genre is historical. I’ve loved visiting the past ever since my first grade teacher gave me Little House on the Prairie for Christmas. I taught history to fifth graders and loved making it come alive for the kids. Problem-solving required a different sort of ingenuity two hundred years ago, so it’s a challenge to step into that time period and lead your characters into victory, but it’s a challenge I thoroughly enjoy.

Do you have any advice for writers seeking publication?
If you have been called to write, then write. Even when things are tough and you feel as though you’re getting nowhere, write. Deborah Raney, another Kansas author, told me several years ago, to get published takes two things: talent and perseverance. All the talent in the world will gain nothing if you quit. So write, submit, persevere! Publishing takes time, but it’s a wonderful journey, so enjoy it and keep forging ahead.

How did you come up with your website slogan “gentle stories of hope”? Does it have a special meaning?
I believe so strongly that hope is ours when we place our lives in God’s hands. There is nothing of this earth that is eternal–only our relationship with Him is eternal, so it’s important to me to include spiritual elements that help strengthen the reader’s relationship with God. As for the slogan, it came about when a friend commented that my stories were a gentle presentation of the hope we can find in God. I liked the way it sounded and it really fit what I wanted to do, so I adopted it.

Thanks so much for the opportunity to visit with you–I’ve truly enjoyed it.