Talking with Sandra Esch, Day 2

Welcome back for our second day with Sandra Esch! Sandra will be giving away a copy of her newest book, Somewhere Between Raindrops, to someone who leaves a comment answering this question:

What relationship struggles you are dealing with would you like to see addressed in books that you read, e.g., passive aggressive behavior, low self-esteem, anger, etc.?

Remember to include your name and email address with your comment (and spell out ‘dot’ and ‘at’ to help cut down on spam). The drawing will be held Friday morning.

If you’d like to learn more about Sandra and her books, here’s where you can connect with her online:

• Website

• Facebook author page

• Twitter (@SandraHEsch)

What are one or two of the most interesting things you’ve learned while researching a novel?

That one’s easy. All in my family are familiar with the story of our great grandmother and her grown children sitting around the table one Sunday afternoon in the early 1900’s. One of her sons said, “Let’s go to America”. All were in agreement. But he stayed back with his wife, while the rest of the family headed to Minnesota. I never gave it much more thought, but while doing research on my chaplain going back to World War I, I found how close the fighting was to The Netherlands where my grandparents lived. And then I understood. They were fortunate they got out when they did or they would have had to endure World War II as did our cousin Arend.


What’s your favorite way to unwind and come back to the “real world” after you’ve been immersed in writing?

Going shopping. Staring out the windows. Watching TV. I begin writing early in the morning (and I mean early). By noon or one o’clock my brain gets awfully exercised. I try not to push it so I can be well refreshed by the next morning.


What advice can you share with novice writers?

First and foremost, go to writing conferences. You learn important information there that can help jumpstart your career. One of the biggies, for instance, is simple and yet critical. By nature we like to ease into things, set the stage, but with writing we need to hook the reader with that very first line. Another important thing is to get involved in a critique group. And read, read, read. 

Those are all great things to learn. What is your most memorable or humorous moment as a published author?

Let’s go with panic on this one. The day before my first book signing of my debut novel, I got a call from a friend who lives in Idaho announcing that four pages were missing out of each of the books she bought (as gifts). We checked the books we had with us. Yup! They were missing, too. It was a printing glitch. I was devastated until a young waitress (I didn’t know) told me that if my books sold well, one day they would be valuable. That was a kind twist. Fortunately my publisher immediately provided replacement pages.


Reading fiction can be a way to escape reality for a while, but those stories can still teach some valuable lessons. What points do you hope readers take away from your books?

Nothing is more powerful than God, the truth. I want the scriptures to come alive in the hearts of my readers and their faith to grow. I remember going through a dark time not that many years ago. I didn’t want to face the day. Went for an early morning walk in the pouring down rain, water splashing up mid-calf, drops pelting my umbrella. And as I walked praying my little heart out for courage to face the day, a scripture came to mind—Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow. And then it hit me. I wasn’t walking into the valley of death. I was walking into the valley of a shadow. Instantly the fear left me. Those are the sorts of things I want to relate in my writing.


Wow, that's a powerful story -- thanks for sharing it. The final story in your trilogy, A Whisper on the Wind, will release later this year – and you have another trilogy in the works! Can you give us a sneak peek at what might be in store for readers with either of those?

Be happy to. The trilogy comes to a satisfying end. My husband says the final chapter is the best of all three books. I hope the readers feel that way as well. As for the prequel, I have a good start on it. The first title is A Sleigh Ride Home going back in time to the late 1800’s (England / Sudan) and then on to Amber Leaf. I’m reaching for another trilogy.

Those sound like great projects. Thanks again, Sandra, for joining us at Pastimes this week! I’m sure whoever wins the copy of Somewhere Between Raindrops will enjoy it very much. But, of course, they have to answer your question first. :-) Here it is one more time:

What relationship struggles you are dealing with would you like to see addressed in books that you read, e.g., passive aggressive behavior, low self-esteem, anger, etc.?


Thanks, everybody!