Sarah:
We first met at college in Tennessee. You were one of my now-husband’s good friends, and we all spent a lot of time hanging out. You were also the officiator at my wedding and dedicated my first child. It’s safe to say you’ve seen me through some big milestones.
Sarah:
I’ve written four full-length novels. The Isaac Project and The Esther Paradigm are contemporary stories inspired by Biblical narratives while Finders Keepers and All of You are the first two books in a dual-timeline, familial series. Along with the novels, I have written two novellas, 12 Days of Snowmen which is a free gift to all who sign up for my newsletter from my website www.sarahmonzonwrites.com, and Bookishly Ever After which is a part of an anthology that is up for pre-order right now (all proceeds are being donated to the LiveStrong Foundation) and releases in June.
Sarah:
Hmm… Well, technically I don’t write young adult (YA) books as my characters are generally older than that audience (20s-early 30’s). I have readers of all ages and pray that any reader would be able to relate in some aspect to at least one character, as we all tend to have similar struggles, hopes, and fears. However, I tend to gravitate toward writing characters that are in the same age category as myself. I’m not sure if I’ve done this intentionally or if it’s just a subconscious “write what you know” sort of thing.
Sarah:
The YA genre targets teens mostly from ages about 14-19 then there is the rising NA genre (New Adult) that targets a college-aged audience. I don’t think I would classify my stories as hitting a specific age group, per se. I usually just say I write inspirational romance or Christian fiction/romance.
Sarah:
I haven’t always looked at it as a ministry, mainly because I could never bring myself to compare it to that. Who am I to say that I’m “in ministry.” In my mind that was a term reserved for pastors or missionaries or others that worked in the church. I’ve always blanketed my writing in prayer and created with God, but it wasn’t until I attended a writer’s conference where a workshop teacher had brought a stack of empty journals, ones he’d prayed over and asked God to give a special, specific message to the receiver, that my eyes were really opened. These journals were passed out and sniffles could be heard around the room as they were opened and read. No two messages from God were the same but the Holy Spirit was moving those passing them out to put each in the right hands. Mine read, “I have called you to write stories of life and light.” That phrase called you gave me the courage to voice what I did as it really was—not a hobby, but a ministry.
Sarah:
*blushes* But actually admitting that always seemed so presumptuous of me. Who was/am I to claim that I had any talents, or anything to offer really, that would be useful to God. And, yes, I know that we all, as a body of Christ, work to minister to those around us. But knowing and claiming a specific “turf” of ministry, so to speak–*shrugs*–I don’t know…that was a big step for me.
Sarah:
I’m not sure I could say that I have any specific objectives. I pray for the stories and God places them on my heart. I pray as I write them, and God opens my imagination to the characters and their journey. I pray as they are published, that they will somehow touch a life. I just try to stay faithful to my part in the process and let God do the rest.
Sarah:
I say that God is the Author and finisher. That Jesus Himself used story to illustrate His sacred truths because it is such a powerful tool. That books that were created with God can be as powerful as a well-spoken sermon and reach audiences that may not grace a church pew for one reason or another.
Sarah:
I haven’t gotten a lot of flak but that could be because most people at church don’t know that I write because I don’t really talk about it (I don’t really talk period, as I’m pretty shy). However, as to your question of why romance… God is love! He’s the creator of love, and more so, the creator of romance. He wired our bodies to have all those fluttery and euphoric feelings and to yearn for someone with whom to share our lives. Romance is all about relationship; growing in grace, holding on to hope. Romance is also a picture of Christ’s love for us. After all, didn’t He liken Himself to a Bridegroom and His church to His Bride?
Sarah:
Will you think I’m crazy if I say my characters ‘tell’ me? Honestly, characters are just people—fictional, yes, but based on the journey that real people have experienced. It’s what makes story so powerful and relatable. Which means I may have a character that is struggling with relationships due to “the purity culture” and I may have one that has premarital sex. That being said, the moral code I keep to as I write isn’t so much for my characters as it is for me and a line I won’t cross. All my books are clean, the bedroom door firmly shut.
Sarah:
Now you’re making me blush! And I don’t know about all that but thank you. While all my books have the element of romance, I have written in a lot of different ways which actually makes me difficult to brand. I have rural, urban, and international settings. I’ve written both contemporary and historical; from more serious subjects to comedy. From both first person and third person point of views. As to whether or not I would write in a completely different genre I’ll say, “Where He leads, I will follow.”
Sarah:
Now that would be like choosing my favorite child. Impossible.
Sarah:
I’m my worst critique and once I’ve published a book I don’t tend to go back and read them again. Maybe I will one day, but I haven’t yet. Mostly because I know I will see places where I could have strengthened the writing or deepened the character or made the setting more vibrant. Seriously, editing could last a lifetime.
Sarah:
Somewhere between breaking even and starving artist. So thankful my family isn’t dependent on my (lack of) income.
Sarah:
My debut novel, The Isaac Project, has sold the most copies and still continues to outsell my other books. I’m really not sure what kind of insight that gives me, though.
Sarah:
No, I don’t think paperback books are dead. There are still a lot of people who love the feel and smell of a physical book in their hand. My sales are mostly digital even though I do sell paperbacks, but because I am an indie author, most brick and mortar stores won’t carry my books. Then again, I haven’t put much effort on that front either.
Sarah:
I would love to create audio formats, but it is very expensive, and I simply don’t have the funds. I’ve thought about narrating them myself, but the learning curve is daunting, and I haven’t had the time, energy, or money to invest in equipment or software to make it professional.
Sarah:
Considering I only write for 60-90 minutes, four to five days a week, I’d definitely say that I’m a part-time writer. Most of my time is filled with being a mom and a wife. My husband is a chaplain in the Navy and we have a six-year-old son and a three-year-old daughter. They are my full-time job, and I take great pains not to let my writing encroach on being there for them.
Sarah:
I think that maybe this is all a bit deceptive. I’m still incredibly awkward and don’t know how to make small talk with people. I still refuse to do any public speaking and shy away from things that put attention on me…in the real world. I can be bold behind a computer screen but face-to-face you probably wouldn’t find me much changed.
Sarah:
It is a novella collection of seven stories that span time periods from 1812 to the present day. All the authors have come together in an effort to give back by donating all the proceeds to cancer research and relief through the LiveStrong Foundation.
Sarah:
It really depends on the mood I’m in. I love books from legal thrillers to fantasy, to Biblical fiction. Give me a subgenre and I’ll tell you some great authors. 😊
Sarah:
For legal thrillers check out Randy Singer and Robert Whitlow. As far as humor, there haven’t been a ton of books that have made me laugh out loud, but I really enjoyed The Secret Life of Sarah Hollenbeck by Bethany Turner. I think Millennials especially would really enjoy her voice, and I did snort-laugh quite a bit throughout the book.
Sarah:
I like to read and reread the classics. L.M. Montgomery, Jane Austen, and Louisa May Alcott to name a few
Sarah:
It’s really important for me to keep my creative tank full so I read a lot even when I’m in the middle of a writing project. I do usually take a break for a couple of weeks in between projects, too.
Sarah:
I honestly don’t know. I feel like the word success is really ambiguous. It’s a little elusive and when you think you might have pinned it down, it disappears to show up somewhere else. I’ve decided to stop striving toward it. Writing and ministry is a journey, not a finish line.