An Interview about a First Book by Sandi Somers

 

Interviewer: Greetings, everyone. Today we have a special guest, Sandra K. Somers, commonly known as Sandi, to talk about her first published book, Divine Encounters: 21 Stories of God’s Miraculous Ways. 

INT: The title sounds intriguing. Tell us what the book is about.

SKS: These personal stories illustrate how God often comes to us in ways that surprise and inspire us. Then I follow each narrative with a meditation, reflection questions to journal, and a prayer.

INT: The dramatist Jennifer Lee said, "Be fearless in the pursuit of what sets your soul on fire." What set you on fire to write this book?

SKS: While living in Colombia, South America, I read how Paul Freed developed his Trans World Radio in the late 1950s and early 60s—a station I listened to—and how God provided $500,000 in six months to set up a station in Monte Carlo, Europe ($5 million in today’s exchange rate!). Amazing! I realized God could do so much more in my life than small requests that I had made—and I began to seek God’s abundance. From there, I wrote to encourage readers to invite the Lord into their situations and believe He could do more, so much more for them.

INT: People are always fascinated by where authors get their ideas. How did your inspiration come about?

SKS: I was in Edmonton visiting a friend and a cousin, and in between I visited the Conservatories. While enjoying the different plant environments, ideas began bubbling up, and so I listed a number of new stories/devos and some shorter versions which had been published in devotional books.

INT: I’m fascinated to know why you chose 21 stories? Not 31 nor 51…

SKS: I began aiming for 75, but in drafting I ran out of ideas by about #60 and couldn’t discover more. A coach advised me to break down the project into a more manageable size—about 21 stories per book. It was a much better process and enabled me to work within a tighter theme.

INT: Yes, we often have to adapt our plans. What other challenges or difficulties arose while writing this book?

SKS: After the stories and devos were written and edited, I had the more tedious task of reviewing and rereading each story, cross-checking for appropriate and duplicate Scriptures—and I stalled. The Lord had to nudge me to quit procrastinating.

INT: God sometimes has to prompt us to keep us following His plans. Now in contrast, what positive things did you learn about the writing process?

Mostly I was so aware of how God brings people into my life when needs arise. Feedback from my local InScribe writers’ group members was invaluable as they critiqued articles, then became beta readers and editors—and even a formatter and publisher! I gained new appreciation for their own gifts and talents.  

INT: In what ways did writing change you? What surprised you most?

SKS: I had two major “Aha” moments. One was to pay attention to moments where God is active. In one story, I write about how a friend told me she was praying for me at the exact time I needed help. If I hadn’t paid attention to the connection, I might have just said, “Thanks for praying.”

The second major discovery was that we have a creative God. Several stories point to how He sometimes answers our requests in ways we can’t imagine.

INT: Do you have plans for writing another book?

SKS: Actually, I have plans for several more, and I’ve asked the Lord to help me finish what I believe He’s calling me to write.

I’m deep into my second book, The Obstacle Is the Way: 21 Stories of Meeting Life’s Challenges. The writing is going much faster this time.

INT: Tell me more. What is making the difference?

SKS: With Diving Encounters taking so long, I’m learning to give myself a deadline to complete it. Yet I know that in summer months my writing slows down because I’m busier with outside activities, visiting others, and travelling. I also decided to give myself extra breathing room in case health, family issues, or other emergencies demand my time and energy. I’ve had to move my deadline to mid-September.

Another process is to combine the creative work of writing and editing with the more tedious tasks of checking Scriptures that apply, choosing the front and back matter, and developing the introduction as I go along. This synthesis has really helped to speed things up!

INT: There’s such an emphasis on marketing these days. Tell me how you’re getting your work into the public.

I’ll admit it is a challenge. Yet the morning after my book went live on Amazon, the Lord gave me a special verse: "As thou goest, step by step, I will open up the way before thee" (paraphrase of Proverbs 4:12 NKJV). God has given me ideas and opportunities.

INT: This has been an enlightening conversation, Sandra/Sandi. What advice can you give your readers?

SKS: God has great plans for you and gives you a vision of what He wants you to write.  Thank God for that vision and work towards unleashing your dreams.

But more: pray into that vision. Invest deeply in your spiritual life, Scripture reading, and prayer to receive His wisdom and words.

 And finally, I’m reminded of the Lord’s promise: “God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns (Philippians 1:6 NLT).

The Lord knows how many books we can write, and I have confidence that He will complete His purposes for all of us.

INT: Thank you for this interview, Sandra/Sandi. I look forward to reading your second and future books as they are published. 

Sandi Somers’ writing passion is to help readers grow their faith in Jesus, including their vision of what God wants them to be and do. She writes of her love of nature, gardening, travel, and family in several genres—devotionals, personal essays, and Biblical fiction. Sandi lives in Calgary, Alberta, the delightful city between the Rocky Mountains and the Prairies.