Interview: Sarah Sundin

When you walk into a bookstore, you make a beeline for what section?

First—Christian fiction. Yes, all authors want to see if our books are in stock. We just do. Plus, I want to see if my friends’ books are there. Second—History. I love my research books!

Favorite place to write:

At my desk. Not terribly romantic, but I have a comfy chair, a nice big L-shaped desk with a hutch for my story and research binders, my bookshelves with my research and writing books, and a nice view from the window.

Go-to writing snack or drink:

I need coffee in the morning—I’m so not a morning person. In the afternoon I like tea—hot tea in the winter and iced in the summer (no sugar, please!). Today’s brew—green tea with açai and blackberry.

What does your writing nook look like?

See “favorite place to write” above. 🙂

Something you must do or have to write:

Not much, really. I’m an empty nester now, but when the kids were at home, I wrote on the soccer field sidelines, in the DMV office, at the karate studio—whenever I could find fifteen minutes of time. I don’t use playlists or candles or anything special to put me in the mood. I just write.

What book is currently on your nightstand?

I don’t read in bed—hubby is bothered by even a smidgen of light—but next on my to-be-read pile is Jocelyn Green’s Between Two Shores. I love her writing, so I’m very excited about this.

Hard copy, e-reader, audio book:

Hard copies. E-books only when necessary. Since I work at a screen all day, I want to escape the screen when I read for fun.

What was the inspiration behind The Sky Above Us?

For the action plot, I was inspired by the research I’d done for my first series, Wings of Glory, which featured bomber pilots. I longed to write about a fighter pilot—and about the Red Cross workers who served overseas. This allowed me to highlight the aerial aspect of D-day, which is often overlooked.

From a story standpoint, I wanted to explore what it would be like to have committed sins that most would consider unforgivable. How do you live with yourself? How do you seek forgiveness from God and those you hurt? And how do you live with the truth that you might never be reconciled with your loved ones?

Favorite part of writing The Sky Above Us:

There was so much! Violet’s plans for children’s parties, Adler’s dogfights, their banter and romance, exploring the themes of forgiveness and “the first shall be last and the last first,” and including a nod to Roy Rogers (he and Dale Evans went to church with my grandparents and I met him!).

Hardest part of writing The Sky Above Us:

Seeing myself in both Adler, who has committed sins he believes are unforgivable, and Violet, the “good church girl” appalled at the airmen’s uncouth behavior. This allowed me to write them both with understanding and compassion, but it also made me face ugly parts inside myself. Ouch.

What is next?

I just turned in The Land Beneath Us, the third book in the Sunrise at Normandy series. This novel features Private Clay Paxton, who serves as an Army Ranger on the ground on D-day, and Leah Jones, a librarian and an orphan searching for clues about her past. Can he truly forgive the brothers who wronged him? And will D-day—and a foreboding dream—tear Clay and Leah apart?

About the Story:

Burdened by his past, fighter pilot Lt. Adler Paxton battles the Luftwaffe over Nazi-occupied Europe as the Allies struggle for control of the air before D-day. Deprived of her missionary dreams, Violet Lindstrom serves in the Red Cross, where she arranges activities at Adler’s air base in England. Drawn to the mysterious Adler, she enlists his help with her programs for local children. Adler finds his defenses crumbling. But D-day draws near. And secrets can’t stay buried forever.

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