INTERVIEW WITH SARA DAVISON

By Patricia Bradley

This week I'm so pleased to welcome author Sara Davison to the Suspense

Sisters! She hails from Canada, and I first 'met' Sara a couple of years ago. Actually, we've never met face to face, but have connected through social media and email ~ that's the way it seems people meet nowadays. 

Anyway, I read her book, Vigilant, and was blown away by it. Then this past week I read Guarded and reviewed Vigilant on my blog last week. She's featuring her latest book, Lost Down Deep today, and will be giving away a print book to someone who leaves a comment. (US and Canada only)

But let's get to the interview and learn more about Sara!

What was your favorite book as a teen or child?

I have so many books that I remember loving while growing up. My favorite as a young child was a picture book called Where’s Willy? about a lost kitten. I can still close my eyes and see the pictures in that book. When I got older, I loved the Bobbsey Twin mysteries, Encyclopedia Brown books, and The Great Brain series. My absolute favorite was A Wrinkle in Time, which I still love. Janette Oke’s Love Comes Softly introduced me to Christian Fiction as a young teen, and I’ve loved that genre ever since (as well as the fact that she’s a fellow Canadian author!)

I read the Bobbsey Twin mysteries as a kid! Tell us three things about yourself that might surprise your readers.
I’m an omnivert, so pretty much equally an introvert and extravert, depending on the day (or the hour). I get pumped up by being with people, especially people who share my faith and passions, so my book clubs (I belong to two) and writer’s groups (three) and Bible study groups. However, I also need time alone to recharge and to be at peace. Both energize me and keep me going.

I’m a nervous flier. My mother has never liked flying so we didn’t do it when I was growing up. The first flight I took, to the west coast with a friend after we graduated from university, was an anxiety-riddled trip in which the fog was so thick the pilot couldn’t land the plane without going out over the ocean and circling back. My next couple of flights included sitting on the tarmac while they searched the plane for a bomb and landing in a tornado and the plane almost tipping over when it hit the runway. Since then, I will fly when I have to, but I am always uneasy until I get off the plane. Thankfully, my husband and I are not big travelers and are generally content with road trips or staying at home.

My claim to fame is bumping into Donny Osmond (literally) on a sidewalk in Toronto one day. He kept going—less affected by the encounter than I was for some reason—but I stood on the sidewalk gaping after him for at least a full minute.

I'd be a nervous flier, too, Sara! And I'd never heard of an omnivert--and guess what? I'm just like you described! What genre did you start out writing? Have you changed course? Why or why not?

I don’t remember ever making the conscious decision to write suspense and romantic suspense, but when I started seriously writing, that’s what came out. Likely because that has always been one of my favorite genres to read. I love the edge-of-your-seat excitement of flipping pages to see what is going to happen next and the added intensity of a love interest, which gives the main characters so much more to lose. I often find other genres too slow for me since I am used to action and tension-filled suspense. I did recently write a prequel novella to my book Lost Down Deep though—Ten Bottles of Sand (in the anthology, Before Summer’s End)—that is not suspenseful, more like women’s fiction. I loved writing that as well, and was very happy with the end result, so maybe I will branch out a little more in the future.

What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author? What has been the best compliment?
The best compliment, hands down, is that my writing drew readers closer to God and strengthened their faith. As I say in the dedication of most of my books, “To the One who gives the stores – it is all from you and for you.” I mean that. Writing is a deeply spiritual experience for me. Like Eric Liddell, I feel God’s pleasure when I write, and I know beyond the shadow of a doubt that he is the one giving me the stories. And if he gives them to me, he has a purpose for them. Whether or not I sell a lot of copies or receive much acclaim, I put out the best work I can, market it as much as time and resources will allow, and then trust that God will use it to fulfil whatever purpose he has for it. So when I receive feedback like that, I know that’s exactly what is happening.

The hardest feedback for me is a 3 rating and a comment like, “this book was okay for me”. That “meh” reaction is far harder for me than an outraged rant and a 1 or 2 rating. At least a rant means my words sparked something in the reader, made them feel something. Having readers feel little or nothing when they read my work is the worst possible reaction, to me, anyway.

I know exactly what you mean! What is the most important thing you’d like readers to take away from your books?

The theme of all my books is that, whatever you go through in life, you are not alone. People will always let you down, but God will never leave you or forsake you. While other themes and issues are also covered, I hope and pray that one comes through loud and clear, and that readers take it to heart and find encouragement in that truth when they are going through difficult times in life.

What is the most valuable piece of advice you’d like to give to unpublished authors?
I have my own editing business and specialize in mentoring new writers. I always offer them three pieces of advice. The first is to be teachable. We have no idea what we don’t know when we’re starting out. Even now I learn new things about the craft of writing and hope to always keep learning so that every book I put out is better than the one before. I can tell early on if a writer will do well or not by how willing they are to accept constructive criticism and make necessary changes. 

Secondly, to writers who are Christian, I encourage them to define success differently than the world does. I believe God has a purpose for everything I write. That purpose may be for five people or fifty thousand or a million to read it and be impacted by it, I don’t know. If I produce a work of excellence and market it to the best of my ability, I have to leave the rest in God’s hands. If I do my part, God will do his, and the book will be a success no matter how many copies it sells. 

And finally, if you believe in your work, never, ever give up on it. Look at every rejection as confirmation that either it didn’t get into the right person’s hands or the timing wasn’t right. Consider the possibility that it could be improved and seek wise, professional advice on that. Then keep going until the book does get into the right hands at the right time.

Excellent advice, Sara! 

Here's the cover of Lost Down Deep--Don't you just love it! And don't forget that Sara is giving away a copy! Just leave a comment with your contact information.

She is the only one who can tell the police who attacked her in her home. If only she could remember …

Summer Velasquez is on the run from a man she has no recollection of after an attack she can’t recall. Every face in the crowd is a potential suspect, so how is Summer supposed to know who is a threat to her and who isn’t? After fleeing her assailant and the parents who lied to her about what happened, she changes her name and seeks refuge in Elora, Ontario. 

The small town feels familiar, although she has no memory of ever having been here. Even in what should be a safe place, she can’t shake the feeling that she is being watched. When Ryan Taylor strolls into the Taste of Heaven Café where she works, Summer is immediately drawn to him. However, he may not be who he says he is either. As her suspicions grow, Summer prepares to run again. But at least one person is determined to stop her. Permanently. And if she can’t remember who he is, this time he may succeed.

Sara Davis bio:

Sara Davison is the author of three romantic suspense series, The Seven Trilogy, The Night Guardians, and The Rose Tattoo Trilogy. She has been a finalist for ten national writing awards, including Best New Canadian Christian author, a Carol, a Selah, and two Daphne du Maurier Awards for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense. She is a Word and Cascade Award winner. 

She currently resides in Ontario, Canada with her husband Michael and their three children, all of whom she (literally) looks up to. Get to know Sara better at www.saradavison.org (where you can sign up for her monthly newsletter), on Twitter: @sarajdavison, and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/authorsaradavison/.

You can purchase Lost Down Deep at Amazon and can read it on KU.

And leave a comment to be entered in a drawing for a print copy of Lost Down Deep. (US and Canada mailing addresses)