Interview with Sarah Monzon #2

About the Author

Sarah Monzon is a pastor’s wife and a stay at home mom to the two cutest littles in the world.  Playing pretend all day with them isn’t enough, she spends the evenings after their heads hit the pillow to create her own imaginary characters.  When she isn’t in the world of make believe, she can be found in a small desert town in central Washington taking care of her family, fostering friendships, and enjoying all the adventures each day brings.

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The Interview

1. ​How did you get started as an author?  What or whom inspired you?
My love of story started when my mom bought me the very first book in the Mandie series by Lois Gladys Leppard. I don’t think my mom realized just how many books were going to be in that series or how quickly I was going to read them. Her poor pocketbook. I started writing my own little stories after that and my mom dutifully read every one and with pride shared them with all her friends. Her encouragement and cheerleading have always inspired me to keep after my dreams.
 
2. What is your current WIP?  What can you tell us about this project?
 I’m currently working on Michael Carrington’s story. It will also have a dual timeline with the historical thread taking place during World War II. I can’t tell you much more than that because I’m a pantser  (just the word “plot” gives me hives) and have only written the first four chapters. I can tell you this book has required the most research to date and that maiming a fighter pilot is harder than you might think.
 
3. What does your writing process look like?
I get an idea—either a first scene, characters that won’t leave, or I imagine what a specific  circumstance would look like—and I go from there. I pray that God give me the words and message, then I open my laptop and I start writing. The characters tell me their story, and like a good scribe I record it for them.
 
4. Where is your favorite place to write? 
I don’t really have a favorite place to write. Anywhere I can get some words in is good for me. I’ve written in Starbucks, at my husband’s desk, in the rocking chair beside my daughter’s crib. However, I probably spend most of my time writing from the sofa.
 
5. What authors have inspired your writing?
Different authors have inspired me at different seasons of my life. Right now I’m in the balancing act of being the best  mom I can be while also maintaining my non-mom identity.  Other successful mom-of-littles  authors such as Kristy Cambron and Kara Isaac are a huge inspiration at this time of my life.
 
6. What inspired the idea for Finders Keepers?
I was sitting out on the front stoop blowing bubbles with my kids brainstorming what elements made great first scenes. Something riveting, that grabs your attention right away with high stakes, and characters you’re immediately invested in. I was mentally going through scenarios that would put a character in danger or have them scared. It didn’t take me long to come up with cage diving with great white sharks. Sharks and alligators are #1 and #2 animals I’m afraid of. The story developed from there.