Monday's Moment With Author Michelle Sutton

Michelle Sutton is the author of over a dozen edgy inspirational novels releasing through 2012. She is also a member of ACFW, an avid book reviewer and blogger, the mother of two college students, the wife to wonderful man for two decades, and a follower of Jesus Christ.

I recently had a chance to talk with Michelle about her novel, Never Without Hope.

Synopsis:

Hope believes she is above sexual temptation; that she would never break that commandment like her husband's previous wives had done. After all, she is a good Christian and a loving mother. She has no reason to stray . . . until her husband starts neglecting her needs and things begin to look hopeless. Though she clearly communicates her pain to her husband, he refuses to get help. She starts to wonder… Will she never have sex with her husband again? She soon learns that she, too, is capable of such betrayal when she succumbs to the unthinkable.

But things that first seemed sweet and reasonable given her painful situation soon produce a bitter taste when combined with the overwhelming guilt. No substitute will ever replace her love and desire for her husband. If only he would touch her like he used to. If only they could make love again. She misses him so much and wants to tell him the truth hoping it will propel him to do something to fix their problem, but she fears his rejection. Steeped in the quagmire of adultery, Hope must find her way back to solid ground to save her marriage. But will she lose everyone she loves in the process?

Michelle, can you tell us how long you've been writing professionally, and how your journey led to writing your latest book, Never Without Hope?

I started writing in August of 2003, but it was a hobby until I seriously tried to sell my first book in 2004. I have gotten bolder over the years in regards to subject matter and this latest project is the result of that. Like any married couple, my husband and I have had our struggles, so I simply took a situation that all couples experience at one time or another – like feeling rejected in bed – and made a novel out of what might happen if things weren't going well for a couple in the bedroom and the wife decided to fix things herself. It turns out to be a mess, of course.

What do you hope readers will take away from it?

I hope readers will experience through Hope that the grass is not greener on the other side of the hill. In fact, though the grass looks mighty tempting, playing on it will get you dirty and stain your life in a way that will never be totally rectified, even when forgiveness comes. But I also want readers to see that God is able to heal any marriage if He is included in it, despite what most people believe.

At what point in your life did you realize that writing was your "thing"?

When I had my mid-life crisis in my 30's.

I understand that you learned to write mainly from reading a lot of well-written fiction. Name 3 authors you enjoy reading.

It's impossible for me to name only three favorites. I have about fifty favorite authors and narrowing the list down to three would be too hard because I read over a hundred novels a year and am discovering new authors I like at every turn. There is a lot of talent out there in the Christian fiction world these days.

What is something about yourself that most people would be surprised to know?

My mother was a nun.

What 3 nuggets of wisdom would you offer an aspiring writer?

Be patient. Keep writing. Don't stop until something sells.

If someone were to write a book on your life, what would the title be, and why?

Up until I was saved I would have titled it… Looking for Love in all the Wrong Places. I think that title is self-explanatory. But now that I've been a Christian for 25 years I'd have to say I would title it… Struck Down, But Not Destroyed. This is because the enemy has hit me hard over the years and attacked my life from every possible angle, but as long as I look to Jesus and serve Him only, He can make something beautiful from all of my hurts and mistakes. Only He can transform a broken life into something worthwhile.

What is your HIGHEST HOPE for your writing career?

To know that without a doubt lives have been touched in some way and possibly even changed because God gave me stories to write that He wanted people to read and I was obedient to that calling.

Any closing thoughts or comments for readers?

No. Thanks for the interview!

Thank you, Michelle. It was great having you! Would you like to tell readers how they can reach you and find out more about your books? (e-mail, website, etc.)

http://www.michellesutton.net

mailto:michelle@michellesutton.net

http://edgyinspirationalauthor.blogspot.com

http://edgychristianfictionlovers.ning.com