Writer’s Life: Susan Crawford and a Giveaway!

Welcome to another edition of Writer’s Life, my interview series with Christian romance authors. Today, inspirational contemporary romance author, Susan Crawford, joins us, AND she’s giving away a copy of her debut novel, Saving Justice! I met Susan a few years ago at an ACFW conference. She is beautiful, funny and makes you feel right at home when you talk to her. I’m so excited to have her here!

Let’s get to it!

1. What about writing makes your heart sing?

I think the beginning and the end of the novel-writing process are the most exhilarating pieces. I love the spark of a new story, the way a character forms into this multi-dimensional friend in my head, researching and discovering interesting places or scenarios that would fit just right into the storyworld. I also love the final editing phase, where the whole mess starts to come together and I can spend time searching for that perfect word or phrase. And finishing, of course, is the most majestic feeling because most of the time in the middle feels like a struggle. To come to the end and see what you’ve accomplished is pretty sweet.

2. What is the biggest hurdle you’re facing right now as a writer?

Balance. As someone newly published, I’m still trying to learn how to navigate all the different demands that have suddenly dropped into my life. It took me two years to write the first book in my series, but the second book had to be done in six months. Learning to plot more efficiently and write faster has been a pretty steep learning curve for me, but I’m working on it. And once the book is finished, there are still lots of other things that have to be done (don’t even talk to me about marketing because I might hyperventilate). The task list is endless, and I have this constant feeling that I’m behind and will never catch up. There’s always something I could be working on. But I have a family that I like to see sometimes and a day job thrown into the mix, too, so I’m trying to figure out how to balance everything and keep the most important things (hi, family!) at the top of the list.

3. What do you do to fill your creative well?

I read lots of books, do crafty things with my daughters, or paint something. Usually if I’m stuck or feeling empty, getting up to do anything besides staring at the computer screen helps, even if it’s just starting a load of laundry or getting a snack (chocolate makes everything better!). And if all else fails, it might just be time for a nap. I’ve found that getting enough rest helps to keep me from being depleted creatively.

4. What are you working on now?

I’m revising Book 2 in the Heart of the City series and working on a new novella, as well. Book 2 features Cade McGuire, the brother of the hero in Saving Justice. He captivated me when he showed up in the first book, and I knew he had to have his own story. He has a broken past, but finds grace, redemption, and something completely unexpected in a feisty blonde politician named Darby Phillips.

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Boy, Susan, I can relate to everything you just said. I love the final, final edits of a story when you know it’s as close to great as you’re going to get it. I always feel behind, too. As soon as one thing is checked off my list, ten more are added. I am NOT a multi-tasker! Yikes!! Your new book sounds fabulous! Thanks so much for being my guest today!

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Saving Justice ~

After losing her brother to gang-related violence, elementary schoolteacher Kinley Reid is on a mission to help her at-risk students. When one of them, Justice, is caught in an act of vandalism, she intervenes.

Entrepreneur Nash McGuire has gone to great lengths to overcome the poverty he grew up in. When working on a renovation project in his old neighborhood he collides with a juvenile delinquent and his do-gooder teacher.

Kinley believes Justice can overcome the influence of his environment; Nash knows the odds and has little patience with Kinley’s naivety. But as the boy’s mandatory community service forces Justice and Kinley into Nash’s life, he can’t help but discover a boy searching for love and purpose–a boy very much like he once was.

Then Justice is accused of another crime. And Kinley’s stubborn belief in the boy’s innocence is just too much for Nash to accept…

Purchase Saving Justice (linked)!!

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About Susan ~

Susan Crawford is an author of inspirational contemporary romance, published by Redbud Press. Before publication, her debut novel Saving Justice was named a finalist in the 2014 American Christian Fiction Writers Genesis writing contest. Susan lives in Oklahoma City, where she happily crams writing in between being a wife, mom, and small business owner. Visit her online at www.susancrawfordbooks.com to sign up for her email newsletter and be the first to hear about her writing news and upcoming releases.

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Enter to win a copy of Saving Justice!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

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Are any of you artistic? I occasionally sketch, and strolling the halls of our local art museum always fills my creative well!

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My blog tour continues. Today is the official release of my debut novel, Small-Town Bachelor!! There are THREE ways to win a copy of my book. The following stops on my tour are all offering a free copy, so stop over!!

1. I’m over at Seekerville! I’d love it if you stopped by for “Tricks to Keep Your Eyes Fresh When Revising.”

2. I’m also talking about my new-to-me hometown over at Gabrielle Meyer’s blog! Come on over to “My New-To-Me Hometown“!

And  Margaret Daley interviewed Claire, the heroine of Small-Town Bachelor. It’s really fun! Check it out at “Heroine Interview from Small-Town Bachelor.”

Thank you!!