A Visit With Susan J. Reinhardt

Today we're happy to visit with Susan Reinhardt, author of The Moses Conspiracy, The Scent of Fear, and The Christmas Wish. Hello, Susan, and welcome to The Borrowed Book.

Thank you for hosting me today! 

What do you love about being a writer, and what do you like the least?

When I'm in the groove and words flow almost without effort, I could write for hours. I love the satisfaction of seeing a story come together.

The whole time management thing is a constant battle. Life doesn't fit into neat compartments, so I've learned to make adjustments and prioritize. Often the Lord will impress a particular task on me (like getting a blog post done now rather than later). Nine times out of ten, something urgent will arise in the time slot I'd originally selected.

Are you a plotter, a pantser, or a combination?

Plotting, outlines, or plans make me shiver. It's not that I think they're bad, but they don't work for me. Whenever I've attempted to plot, it's had the effect of clobbering any creativity that poked  its head between the written lines.

Most of the time, I know the beginning and end of my story. As I write, I'll have an idea. It's a one-step-at-a-time-drenched-in-prayer process. Marrying solid writing craft with inspiration works best for me.

My greatest concern is ending up with a formulaic story. I want the words I write to be containers of life.

Do you write full time or do you work it in alongside a full-time job?

When I started writing fiction, I worked with my late husband in his business. This gave me a lot of flexibility since "the boss" was on board with the project.

Now, I'm working a full-time job, helping my elderly mother, active in church, and writing. I'll say one thing: I'm never bored. LOL!

No, I'm sure you're not! What's your favorite method for keeping a story's middle from sagging?

A secondary plot and added tension keep things moving along. As in real life, we're rarely in a difficult situation that doesn't get complicated by other circumstances.  In The Moses Conspiracy, I developed a conflict in two family relationships, while the main characters tried to figure out who was out to get them.

Writing is a sedentary occupation. What do you do for exercise?

A gym membership helps keep me fit. I try to get there 2-3 times per week. The stairs in my house, dashing around the office (the printer is not at my desk), and errands provide the remainder of my exercise.

Hmmm... I'm going to have to quit asking that question because it reminds me I need more exercise myself. 

Well, thank you, Susan for taking time out from your busy schedule to speak with us!

A widow, daughter, stepmom, and active church member, Susan resides in Pennsylvania. When not writing, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading, couponing, gardening, and finding small treasures in antique shops. Her publishing credits include her debut novel, The Moses Conspiracy, as well as devotionals, short articles, and contributions to anthologies. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers.

Don't be forget to stop by The Borrowed Book tomorrow when you can enter to win a free copy of Susan's new release, The Scent of Fear!