Sandy Nadeau Interview

Q: Let me start with asking you to tell us a little bit about yourself.
A: I was born in Wisconsin, grew up in Minnesota. Married right out of high school. I’ve been married for 40 wonderful years. I love Jesus. We have one daughter and three grandchildren. We spent thirty adventure-filled years in Colorado and just moved to Texas last year to be closer to the grandkids. Nine hundred miles was just too far away. We are so thrilled to be a part of their lives and equally thrilled we won’t be shoveling snow any more.

Q: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
A. I think it was in my blood. My maternal grandmother did a lot of writing in her later years. My mom still writes at age 89 and has self-published several of her poetry books. I did a lot of writing in high school and I always journaled. When my daughter was three, I took a correspondence course on writing. But it was a long time after that when I got my first book contract. I had a few magazine articles published and I also wrote a community news column for our local newspaper for twelve years, so that helped my need to write.

Q: Could you give us the highlights of your professional writing career including how you got your first writing break?
A. I worked for many years trying to get published. It was a hard road with a lot of tough challenges along the way. I went to writer’s conferences often to keep learning what I was lacking. Finally, I met an acquisitions editor with Pelican Book Group at a conference held by the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW). She was very interested, took my one sheet with her and said I should submit the manuscript. I did the minute I got home. It’s a long story, but to shorten it up, I was rejected, but the owner/editor Nicola graciously offered me some editing tips for it. Two pages of tips! I reworked it, rejected again, reworked with the additional suggestions she made, rejected. I have to laugh at myself. I’m so stubborn. Anyway, it was a total of 3 rejections, all with tremendous (and rare) advice on changes to improve it. The fourth time I was offered a contract! The main thing I learned through this was be willing to make changes and listen to those that know more than you.

Q: Would you tell us about your book Red Gold?
A: I’d love to. This story developed out of a dream my hubby and I had of owning and operating a guest ranch in the mountains of Colorado. We spent so much time exploring the mountains, and on several of those drives, he helped me brainstorm all the things that could happen related to a guest ranch. The story centers around the owners, Jon and Mandy. Then, mystery develops as a teen guest stumbles on some trouble.

Q: Where did you get your inspiration for Red Gold?
A: I love mysteries and living in Colorado provided a lot of opportunities to build a mystery around all the different things that can happen in the mountains. The wildlife, the fire danger, hills, streams, mine shafts, gems and minerals. With Red Gold, you’ve got it all.

Q: What is the main thing you hope readers remember from this story?
A: I want to give readers a fun, family friendly book. It’s a mystery, but it’s clean and not gory, so I just hope they enjoy the ride. My tag line is: Life is an adventure, created by God. That’s what I want to share. How God is always with us. Jenny, in the book, learns that the hard way, but she finds great comfort in relying on God. There’s a line in the book that a character says, “If we expect forgiveness and love from our Lord, can we do less for our neighbors?” Something to think about. Self included.

Q: What is your favorite scene/chapter from the book?
A: When Mandy takes a bag of cookies over to Mr. Shonee and their relationship changes. He’s a gruff old guy, but I really love that character.

Q: What inspires you to write?
A. I see my writing as a gift from God. Not that I’m that great at it, but He’s so great He gave me a gift that I love to do. And as time goes on, He continues to equip me with the ability. He inspires me. His word inspires me. His creation inspires me. I have to share that.

Q: How has being a published novelist differed from your expectations of the profession?
A: I guess I always thought once published it would all roll forward. But it takes just as much work for the first as the second and I imagine from here on out.

Q: What advice or tips do you have for writers who are just getting started?
A: First of all, grow thick skin. You’re going to need it. Second, join ACFW or RWA or any writing group. You need others in the biz. Be willing to be edited. Never assume you are good enough that you don’t need an editor. Everyone needs an editor. Even editors need editors. But most importantly? Sit down and WRITE!! Write and write some more. Practice the craft. Learn the craft.

Q: Would you share with us what you are working on now?
A. I’ve started another new Christian romance where the heroine has a very unique occupation. Something very different. It’s going to be fun! My second book, Rescue Me, is a Christian romance filled with more adventure.

Q: When you’re not writing what do you like to do?
A. Play with my grandkids. I have three now. It’s so fun. Otherwise, I love to crochet, read, do home improvement projects, photography, travel and I wish I could go snorkeling more.

Q: Where can readers find you on the internet?
A. www.SandyNadeau.com
www.SandyNadeau.blogspot.com
www.facebook.com/authorSandyNadeau/
www.twitter.com@SandyNadeauCO
Q: Anything else you’d like to tell or share with us?
A. I just want to thank you and your readers for taking the time to learn a little about me and my book. I hope they’ll all pick up a copy and enjoy the adventure!