Susan J. Reinhardt's writing credits include devotionals, fillers, short articles, and a short story for such publications as The Secret Place, A Cup of Comfort Devotional for Women, The RevWriter Resource, Christian Devotions, Devotions Magazine, the anthology, His Forever, and LIVE. A third fiction manuscript is in the works. When not writing, she juggles the responsibilities of a small business, church activities, family, friends, and a decrepit house. Susan’s blog is: www.susanjreinhardt.blogspot.com
1. Susan, how long have you been working toward publication? What three things do you know now about the publishing world that you wish you knew when you first started? Thanks for inviting me, Lisa. My journey toward publication has been an on again, off again adventure. While I've always written for church programs, Bible Studies, and some curriculum, it wasn't until I married my late husband in 2003 that I got serious about writing. He encouraged me to attend a small, one-day writers' conference.
When an editor at the conference read my devotional, she asked if I'd like to write one for her online publication. Sue always jokes that I got a "deer in the headlights" expression. Since that time, I've pursued both non-fiction and fiction publication.
I've learned to target my submissions rather than send them out willy-nilly. Guidelines are now studied, as well as the publications, to make sure they're a good fit.
Rejections can teach as much as acceptances, especially if they include editorial feedback.
I wish I'd been more attuned to the unique culture of Christian publishing. We have many opportunities to build up and promote each other. I also would have joined American Christian Fiction Writers a lot sooner.
2. How did you decide on your current project? What have you learned about writing and yourself since you started it? Wow! Great questions. I'm doing research for my third manuscript. This is the final book of a series. I knew from the initial manuscript I'd be writing Kendra's story.
I'm a seat-of-the-pants writer, so I usually have the beginning and the end, but no clue what goes in the middle. For this project, I decided to try Randy Ingermanson's new Snowflake Software. While I'm still on a learning curve, putting ideas in writing has already rescued me from a couple of potential plot holes.
As in other areas of life, fear can keep me from moving forward in my writing. Loss of creativity posed a major concern. I've learned trying new things is worth the risk. I ask myself, "what's the worst case scenario?" If I decide plotting isn't working for me, I can go back to SOTP.
3. Part of being a writer is learning how to tell other people what your work is about. Give us, first, the best thirty-word description, then the longer paragraph version. LOL! I'm suddenly thankful for the Snowflake. Confession time: This is a rough area for me and needs a lot of work.
Kendra Marshall discovers her entire life is a lie and must decide whether to embrace the truth or turn a blind eye to her heritage.
Kendra Marshall dreams of becoming a doctor. Finances threaten to sink her ambitions, but a full scholarship to a small, Ohio college saves the day. She gets word her mother is dying due to a recurrence of breast cancer. In a moment of conscience, she tells Kendra the true circumstances of her birth. Rather than risk losing her scholarship, the young woman decides to ignore the facts and follow her original path. When her biological brother is diagnosed with leukemia, she must put aside her own future to save his life or watch him die.
4. You have a great blog. Tell us about what it means to network as a writer. Thanks for your kind words. Any of my friends will tell you I love blogging. When I started in May 2008, I worried that I wouldn't have much to say. With prayer and listening to the heart cry of other writers, the posts continue to flow from my keyboard.
I know we're supposed to blog as a platform builder, but writing in this venue gives me so much more than name recognition. I've met life-long friends, critique partners, prayer warriors, and mentors. The warmth and generosity of Christian writers is humbling.
5. Who in the profession would you most like to sit down with, and what would you ask? Last year, I read one of Jane Kirkpatrick's books for the first time. After contacting her on Facebook, we arranged an interview. A four-part series evolved from her answers, a mini-workshop.
I'd love to sit down one-on-one and ask her to look at my first chapter. A critique from her would be equivalent to a four-year degree. She's one of the most fascinating people I've interviewed and one of the nicest.
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