Author Interview: Sarah Sundin

Please welcome my friend, Sarah Sundin. Sarah writes fabulous fiction set during World War II.

Sarah, please sure your personal salvation testimony with us.

My salvation testimony might be considered dull. I was raised attending church and accepted Christ at the age of ten at a youth choir concert. Nothing dramatic—just a young girl putting the pieces together from all the stories and verses absorbed. I turned away from God and the church in college (I call them my “stupid years”) I was looking for fun, but within a few short years I realized I’d only found misery. I’d lost the peace and joy in my life, and so I returned to the only Source of peace, joy, and true love. Since then, God has continued to work in my life and cause me to grow. He led me to a godly husband and a dynamic church. Then He led me (pushed me?) into teaching fourth- and fifth-grade Sunday school and women’s Bible studies, and then into writing. I’ve found a lot more fun following God than I ever did away from Him—it’s a wild and wonderful ride.

What is your writing 'mission statement'?

I hope my readers can learn through my characters’ mistakes and struggles, and that they’ll grow in their relationship with the Lord—confronting sins, building trust, and stepping out in obedience to serve where God leads.

Do you have an anecdote of how one of your books has touched a reader?

I think the stories that touch me most are from people whose fathers flew in B-17s (as the heroes in the Wings of Glory trilogy do). Some of the fathers told stories, and some never talked about it—but many readers say they feel closer to their fathers and understand them better because of the books. I also get lots of sweet e-mails from people sharing their own World War II era memories—some of the stories are really touching, and I’m honored that they want to share with me.

As for spiritual lessons, a friend told me A Memory Between Us showed him pride in his life, and a reader said the story helped him understand his wife who is dealing with shame as the heroine does. Things like this give me goose bumps. The thought that God can use words I wrote to reach someone’s heart is truly astounding.

Sarah, thank you for sharing with us. May God continue to bless your writing.