I met debut author Michelle Sutton several years ago through American Christian Fiction Writers. In recent years we’ve connected more through a shared historical blog Favorite PASTimes, where Michelle handles book reviews and I take turns garnering and posting author interviews. We share a love of historical fiction and good writing. Michelle is also on the Operating Board of ACFW where she serves as their Volunteer Officer. Technically, she’s my “boss” since I’m the New Releases Coordinator under her supervision. She’s a good boss and a wonderful, caring person. :)

In addition to these duties,Michelle is Editor-in-chief for Christian Fiction Online Magazine, Sheaf House Marketing Director, edgy fiction writer, book reviewer, avid blogger/alliance member, CWOW blog mistress, mother of two teenagers, wife, pet owner, social worker by trade, and follower of Jesus Christ. Michelle manages her insane schedule by taking one “bite” of the proverbial elephant at a time. She just happens to still be gnawing on his stubby little tail and is wondering when she will ever get caught up. Michelle’s favorite thing to do to relax is to read a good book. The trouble is deciding which one to read when there are literally hundreds of titles waiting to be read.

Michelle’s first book, It’s Not About Me released from Sheaf House this year. It received four stars from Romantic Times and is in a special feature about YA books in Romantic Times’ November issue. It’s Not About Me is available at the following online bookstores:

Borders, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and CBD.

Here’s the blurb:

Annie has it all. But one night her safe world is destroyed. As she fights to put the pieces of her shattered life back together, she is caught in a war between two brothers who both claim to have her best interests at heart.

Who will Annie choose? And will she finally come to know the One whose love will never fail, even in her darkest hour? Will she learn the truth about life-that it’s not about “me”?

I asked Michelle to tell us about herself and her writing ~

Jill: When and how did you know that you wanted to be a writer?

Michelle: In August of 2003 I started writing a book because I was inspired by a Love Inspired Author, Cynthia Rutledge, after talking with her about how she became an author. I have been an avid reader for years, but had never considered writing before.

Jill: Can you share with me some of the highlights of your writing journey – something particularly memorable or humorous?

Michelle: A highlight would be when I entered my first contest for unpublished writers. Robin Caroll and I had been critiquing each other’s stuff for about six months when she and I entered in the contest. She called me to tell me I finaled and I was stunned. What was the likelihood I’d place the first time I ever submitted anything? But that story still hasn’t sold, so even though it’s a great story, it’s just not the right time for it to be released for the world to read, I guess. I also had one of my proposals selected to be on the Media Predict site for the Simon and Schuster novel contest. People would buy stock in your proposal to predict whether or not they thought Simon and Schuster would buy your novel. That was quite an experience, too.

Jill: Tell me a bit about what you write now and what you hope/plan to write in the future. Do you have a favorite genre?

Michelle: Right now I still write women’s fiction with a heavy romance thread. However, I do have three completed YA novels that are in the series that I’ve sold. One comes out each year until 2010.

Jill: Do you consider your writing the work God has given you to do for a lifetime or for a season of your life? If you could pursue anything else, what would it be?

Michelle: I really don’t know. I’m taking things one day at a time. I just want to reach as many people’s hearts as I can before I leave this earth, and it seems like for now this is the method God is using. That may change in the next few years.

Jill: Are there people in your life who encouraged you, who are responsible for you becoming a published author?

Michelle: First was Cynthia Rutledge. Then my agent and several editor friends. Also, my husband and family play an important role in encouraging me in this area. I have a very good friend from church who encourages me all the time. In fact, I can’t think of a single person who hasn’t encouraged me. I even have friends who aren’t Christians who are excited about my book(s).

Jill: Can you share one struggle that entered your life as a result of writing and how God helped you to overcome it, to make you more like Christ?

Michelle: There is always the struggle with pride and wanting to feel important or as good as other authors. You know, the temptation is also there to think my work is better than it really is, or to be jealous when others succeed. I still put my pants on the same way everyone else does. I have to remind myself that I have the privilege of writing right now, but that should not change me. If it does, I want God to take it away from me.

Jill: Likewise, is there a particular joy in this writing business/ministry that God has used to remind you that He is, in fact, using your words to His glory?

Michelle: Yes. So far that has come through reviews I’ve received from people who have read my book. When people get excited about their faith or lessons they’ve learned from reading my story, then I feel like it has made a difference in people’s lives. That’s all I want. When someone tells me a particular scene got them choked up it shows me that God is reaching people’s hearts through it. I just praise Him for that.

Jill: Has writing opened opportunities for you to give your testimony and witness for Christ or minister to fellow believers? If so, can you give one example?

Michelle: Yes, long before I sold this book I was passing around different manuscripts that I’d written on along the way. I’ve had numerous non-Christians read some of my books and then ask me about my faith and about relationship with Jesus. In one particular situation a young woman who was living with her boyfriend read my book about a woman who was abused as a young child. She told me that her uncle had hurt her when she was little and that my book helped her to understand that it wasn’t her fault (amen!) and then she said she wanted to know if Jesus was real like He was to the character in my book. I told her He is real and told her all about salvation and how Jesus can enter and change a person’s life. That will forever stick with me. I was so moved by her comment and her interest in Jesus as the result of reading my book, “Lover of My Soul” which has yet to be sold, but has still touched many women’s lives who were victims of childhood incest.

Jill: That’s awesome, Michelle!

There are three titles in the Second Glances series coming from Sheaf House.

It’s Not About Me – When a young woman’s future is destroyed by a senseless attack, two brothers who say they have her best interests in mind fight to win her heart.

It’s Not About Him Sept 2009 – When a young woman places her fatherless infant for adoption, her best friend tries to persuade her to marry him and keep her child.

It’s Not About Her (not contracted yet, but planned release date is Sept 2010) – When an unassuming, plain girl befriends a young man who only dates beautiful people, she longs to have him love her…until he starts looking her way.

If you want to learn more about Michelle or her books, check out her website or her blog.

Thanks Michelle, for joining us this month on Spotlight!