SUSPENSE SISTERS: An interview with Roxanne Rustand

Award-winning author Roxanne Rustand has written over thirty-five traditionally published novels, and is also writing for the indie market. She writes sweet romance, inspirational romantic suspense and inspirational romance. Four of her novels have been nominees for RT Bookclub Magazine's Reviewer's Choice annual awards, and two have been winners. She has also been nominated for RT's Career Achievement Award.

1. What are some things you enjoy doing in your free time?

My office windows look out over our pasture--and the view constantly tempts me to go outside. We used to raise quarter horses and thoroughbreds, but now we have three horses just for fun. I also love cooking and photography, and I'm trying to be more proficient with the Canon 5D Mark III I bought last year. I enjoy having friends and family over for dinner, and reading. My husband and I travel quite a bit, too.

2. How do you balance real life with writing life?

When our kids were growing up, that balance meant getting a lot less sleep. Family came first and I had to stay up late and get up early to find extra hours for writing. At least once with each deadline, I would go to an inexpensive hotel in town and stay from Friday afternoon through a late checkout on Sunday afternoon. That uninterrupted time really helped me focus! Now, I just stay at home.

3. What is the biggest challenge you've faced as an author?

Writing through the family troubles, such as the illness and deaths of my parents, is hard. It's not only hard to focus during times like that, but it's hard to feel creative, even several years later. But life happens to all of us--and I know all of us face family problems and loss sooner or later. If writing is your dream, your passion, then you just have to soldier on.

4. What is the most enjoyable part of the writing process for you?

I love the excitement of starting a new book. The research, too. I've met some amazing people over the years and learned so much! One of my favorite books to research was Comeback Cowboy. I got to travel to rodeos with a contractor, watch the activities behind the scenes, and interview a variety of people, from bullriders to clowns, to the people who supply those bulls and broncs. Fascinating stuff!

5. Are you a plotter or pantser?

A bit of both. I used to make endless charts and graphs and lists before I started writing. Now I just write a synopsis, then use a couple of "bookkeeping tools" to help me keep everything straight as I write. A "Subplot tracker" form has been extremely helpful. After giving a number of online classes, I put examples of these tools on my website, in case anyone is interested (www.roxannerustand.com)

6. How has writing inspirational fiction impacted you personally?

I wrote fifteen books for Superromance, plus several other lines, before moving to Christian fiction at Love Inspired in 2007. The change to writing inspirational fiction has meant a lot to me, because it really falls in line with my own heart. I love my editors, and love the added depth of having a faith element in addition the suspense. I enjoy writing for both Love Inspired,and Love Inspired Suspense.

Tell us about your newest release!

The Single Dad's Redemption is a July, 2016 Love Inspired release. It's about second chances--for a cowboy who was wrongly incarcerated for a crime he didn't commit, and for a woman who no longer believes she will ever find someone to love.

I'll be giving away an ebook copy of this book, and also an ebook copy of Summer at Briar Lake in a drawing of names from those who leave a comment!

Roxanne Rustand

USA Today Bestselling Author

The Single Dad's Redemption, Love Inspired 7/2016

An Aspen Creek Christmas, Love Inspired 11/16

An Irish Christmas Blessing (Sweet Christmas Kisses Anthology 2015)

A Montana Legacy, 2014

www.roxannerustand.com

www.facebook.com/Roxanne.Rustand

http://www.SweetRomanceReads.com

https://www.pinterest.com/roxannerustand

11 comments:

EmmaJuly 9, 2016 at 6:54 AM
I am looking forward to reading The Single Dad's Redemption and Summer at Briar Lake . I Like reading your books. Thank you for the opportunity to win.Have a wonderful weekend.
Gail H.July 9, 2016 at 7:28 AM
I throughly enjoy reading Love Inspired books. Thank you so much for the chance to win. Enjoyed the interview.
kim hansenJuly 9, 2016 at 7:37 AM
Cool new author for me.
Dawn NicolJuly 9, 2016 at 11:13 AM
I enjoyed reading your interview responses and agree that it must be very difficult to be creative and write when family hardships come along. Thank you for sharing and for the opportunity to win one of your books!
Mary PrestonJuly 9, 2016 at 4:53 PM
A lovely interview thank you. Writing through times of family troubles would be very difficult I imagine.

marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
Trixi July 10, 2016 at 5:14 PM
Ahhh, a new -to-me author in the LI line of books...yay! I have at least 200+ on my shelf as we speak, all genres :-)

I very much enjoyed your author interview. I can only imagine how hard it must be to write books in times of crisis, especially family crisis's. In those times when you truly don't feel like writing a single word. I'm so glad you persevered though, I'm sure God gave you the strength you needed to get through! Thanks so much for not only sharing the good times in your writing, but also the tougher times. You gotta keep on keeping on :-) Such an encouragement for me!

Your book, The Single Dad's Redemption sounds really good. Second chance stories are among my most favorite, whether in love or the redemption Christ extends to the characters or both! Thank you for the chance to win both of these books.

teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com