Author Interview: Sarah Loudin Thomas

1) How long had Miracle in A Dry Season been simmering in your brain before it took to the page?

Not long at all. I wrote what will likely be the third book in the series first—that’s the one that had been with me a long time. Book #3 is about Perla’s granddaughter and the miracle is walking on water. Once I got it down on paper, the others flowed from it pretty naturally.

2) I thoroughly enjoyed Miracle in a Dry Season; but I also enjoyed Appalachian Serenade. How did the experience of writing a novella differ from writing the novel? Was this something you had plotted in your head while writing Miracle, or something that happened after you signed your contract?

I have a secret. I’ve never had much use for novellas. Then Bethany House asked me to write one as an introduction to Miracle in a Dry Season. So I read several and found out there are some really good novellas out there! Honestly, writing it was easier—certainly quicker. The main trick for me was to catch myself every time a storyline started snowballing. For example, when the railroad shuts down and a lumber company moves into town, I could have loaded so much conflict and drama in. Instead, I just left it alone so I could work out the romance between my characters.

3) Your series has the most amazing hook: Everyday miracles happening in Everyday life. Other than the fact that miracles still do happen every day, what do you most want you readers to take from your stories?

I hope my books are comforting. I want to write the apple pie of Christian fiction. Life is hard and while tough stuff happens to my characters, there’s always hope, always redemption. I want readers to know God will sort it all out in the end—it may take a while, but he will. In the meantime, have another slice of pie.

4.) Appalachia plays a big part in your work and becomes a character itself….how do you capture the inspiration you seem to live in everyday? Do you jot notes, take pictures?

First, I have an incredible childhood to draw upon. Growing up on a 100-acre farm smack in the middle of Appalachia infused me with a deep sense of place. Second, I’m blessed to live in Appalachia now, although a bit further south. I hike in Pisgah National Forest almost every day and I get to interact with the best people in the world. Just the other day I was talking to a 79-year-old woman who grew up in the mountains. A friend asked her if she wanted some flowers planted in her front yard. “I wouldn’t care if you put a few around my angel statue out there.” That’s mountain-speak for, “Yes, please, but don’t feel like you have to.” Just being awake and paying attention supplies all the inspiration I can handle!

5.) What is your favourite memory of your writing journey thus far?

When my husband introduced me at my book launch. The whole day was just amazing. The event was at my church on a Sunday evening. That morning, the pastor filling the pulpit preached about Jesus feeding the five thousand (he had no idea what my book was about). My mom and dad were there as well as other family members. We had a bean supper and square dancing along with the book sale and reading. So many friends came out they filled the sanctuary of our little church. Then my husband got up and introduced me and it was all I could do to keep from ugly crying because he was just pure love talking about how he still felt like he had on our wedding day 18 years ago. He even square danced with me—NOT his favorite thing. Days like that remind me that rankings and sales are not the measure of success.


My Feature Review of Miracle in a Dry Season at Novel Crossing
My review of Appalachian Serenade
Sarah on the web
Sarah on FB