AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Sandra Robbins (& Book Giveaway!)

I'm delighted to welcome author Sandra Robbins to WordVessel today. Let's learn more about her:
Sandra Robbins and her husband live in the small college town where she grew up. Until a few years ago she was working as an elementary school principal, but God opened the door for her to become a full time writer. She admits it’s a relief to step out of bed in the mornings and head to her computer instead of rushing off to greet teachers and children as they arrive at school!

Sandra and her husband met when she was still in high school and he came to the college in her hometown. They met in the church where they were married three years later. They’re still members of that congregation and have seen their four children baptized and married there. Without the help of her wonderful husband, four children, and five grandchildren who’ve supported her dreams for many years, it would be impossible to write. 

Her first attempts at creating a novel were directed toward historical romance. A childhood love of Nancy Drew mysteries, however, gave her a different direction, and now she spends her days dreaming up mayhem and mystery in the lives of her characters.

Today as she plots her latest mystery or suspense, she thinks about Nancy and all the pleasure she's given to girls through the years. Like Nancy Drew she wants to entice the reader to keep turning the page until wrongs have been righted and romance has blossomed in her characters’ lives.

It is her prayer that God will use her words to plant seeds of hope in the lives of her readers. Her greatest desire is that many will come to know the peace she draws from her life verse Isaiah 40:31—But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

To find out more about Sandra and her books, go to her website at http://sandrarobbins.net

How long have you been writing and when was your first book published?

I started writing about five years ago. I had always wanted to write, but I was very busy as a wife and mother. I also was a teacher and then a principal in an elementary school. One day I realized my children had homes of their own and I was getting ready to retire. It seemed the perfect time to follow that dream I’d always had, so I did. I read a quote by Nancy Thayer that I think fits my situation. She said, “It’s never too late—in fiction or in life—to revise.” That’s what I did. I revised my life, and now I write every day. My first book Pedigreed Bloodlines was published in 2008 and was a finalist in the Daphne du Maurier Contest for excellence in mystery and suspense writing. That contest is sponsored by the Kiss of Death Chapter of Romance Writers of America. I felt very humbled to final in such a prestigious contest.

My second book Final Warning released in August from Steeple Hill’s Love Inspired Suspense line. The trailer can be seen at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPQbKM3kZbw

What are you currently writing?
I am currently working on two books. One is a historical romance which will release from Barbour Publishing in 2010. It is set in Alabama after the close of the Civil War and is titled The Columns of Cottonwood. I am also working on a romantic suspense called Confidential Source that deals with a crusading newspaper reporter and an anonymous person who gives her a tip that leads to an investigation into the dark world of street gangs.

What accomplishment(s) are you most proud of, writing-related or not?
I would have to say that I am most proud of the wonderful children my husband and I have been blessed with. I take great pride in their accomplishments and those of my grandchildren. On a personal level I am thankful that I was able to achieve a degree in music education using my God-given talent for playing the piano. I’m also proud of the programs I helped institute at my school while I was principal, and then I would have to say my books give me a great sense of pride. 

Do you have any advice on finding an agent?
This question is of great interest to me since I recently changed agents. I think that many writers become discouraged because they can’t find an agent when they’re unpublished. I faced that problem, too. My first step toward reaching that goal was to pray about it, attend writers’ conferences where I met several agents, and to purchase Sally Stuart’s Guide to the Christian Market. Using those tools, I felt led to an agent who accepted me as a client. However, we all know needs change, and as mine did I felt led to seek representation somewhere else. Again, my first step was to pray, and pray, and pray. After about three months events fell into place, and God revealed the perfect agent for me.

We are all different and have different characteristics we look for in an agent. So my best advice is to pray diligently and be open to whatever God provides you. You may be surprised where He will lead you. I certainly was, but it was just the person I needed.

What professional groups are you affiliated with?
I’m affiliated with several professional groups, but my main interest lies with American Christian Fiction Writers. I attribute my being published directly to my involvement with this group. I made my first sale through contacts made in this organization. I am also a member of Romance Writers of America and their special interest chapters of Faith, Hope, and Love and Kiss of Death. I was thrilled when I became published because that meant I could join Mystery Writers of America. After becoming a member of that organization, I joined Southeast Mystery Writers of America Chapter and now serve on their board. I also am a member of my local writers’ group Northwest Tennessee Writers Network. I think this one is also very important because it puts me in contact with other writers in my area and keeps me from feeling that I am alone in what I experience as I write. 

To find out more about Sandra Robbins go to her website at http://sandrarobbins.net.


Here's a blurb from the book:

“LET’S PLAY A GAME. . . “

One e-mail and radio show host C.J. Tanner becomes a pawn in a madman’s game. Only by solving his riddles can she stop the murders. And only Mitch Harmon, her ex-fiancée, can help her put an end tothe killer’s plans.

Mitch knows he has to discover the killer’s true identity. Otherwise the man’s obsession with C.J. will have her following his steps to become his final victim. Mitch won’t allow anyone to harm the woman he let slip away. He’ll keep her safe—even if he has to put his own life on the line.

 Sandra, thanks so much for being with us today. We enjoyed getting to know about you and your work. Readers, Sandra has kindly agreed to offer one of you a copy of "Final Warning." Leave a comment (with a way for me to reach you if you're the winner) to be entered in the drawing. I'll announce the winner in Saturday's post.

NEXT POST: Author Interview with Tracy Ruckman