Author Interview: Sarah Anne Sumpolec

Sarah Anne Sumpolec is the author of the teen fiction series,
Becoming Beka (Moody Publishers). As a speaker, she enjoys sharing with students, teens and women about a variety of topics. A University of Mary Washington graduate, Sarah holds both a Bachelor’s degree and elementary teaching certification and is an alumni of Act One: Writing for Hollywood. Sarah lives with her husband and their three children in Virginia.


What book or project is coming out or has come out that you’d like to tell us about?

The Encore will be releasing in February. It is the fifth and final book in the Becoming Beka series and ending it will be very bittersweet. I love the character of Beka Madison and all of the real topics that I’ve been able to deal with through the series. Some of the other books have dealt with witchcraft, suicide, pornography and grief.

In this last one, Beka must deal with the date rape of someone close to her. I actually hope I get to finish telling her story one day because while one chapter of her life is closing (high school), another chapter is just beginning.

Tell us about your journey to publication. How long had you been writing before you got the call you had a contract, how you heard and what went through your head.

Let’s see. First I wrote a novel about 16 year old Beka during my summers off teaching. When I actually finished it I was stunned that I had written an entire book. I didn’t know what to do with it, if anything. So I joined Christian Writer’s Fellowship International and they had an e-mail loop (I didn’t even know what that was). On that loop I learned SO much about publishing and based on all their advice, I attended my first conference that fall armed with Becoming Beka and a non-fiction proposal.

I got some great feedback, but most of all, was assured that I should keep trying. Some dear friends that I met there introduced me to their agent at that conference and she requested to see my material. I was encouraged to go to Mount Hermon in the spring and it was there that I made contact with an editor at Moody who loved the story and requested the whole manuscript. By that fall I had an agent and a contract for a series with Moody.

Writing that first novel was actually a healing process the Lord brought me through because I had always dreamt of being a writer when I was growing up. Then my mother told me in high school that I didn’t have enough talent to write a book (she denies saying this, but I remember it like it was yesterday) so I gave up the dream and my writing completely.

After I married, God began stirring this story in me that I just couldn’t stop thinking about. I finally had to just write it down or go crazy. I didn’t write it with any intent to get it published so it was such a delightful blessing from God when it happened. I was shocked, excited…and terrified. Moody wanted a series and I couldn’t help but think – what if I can’t write another one?

Do you still experience self-doubts regarding your work?

Absolutely. I think it’s God’s design that He doesn’t allow us to stay where we are comfortable. For example, I had another teen series planned out but kept feeling like that wasn’t the direction I was supposed to go next. So the projects I pitched to my agent were different than anything I had done before. And in some ways, they scared me because I wasn’t sure I could do the stories justice. I feel like I’m constantly being stretched – not only as a writer, but also just in trusting God that He will see me through the whole process.

What’s the best advice you’ve heard on writing/publication?

Write what’s in your heart. It’s very easy to get hung up on the market or in trying to follow trends, but truly, I think we have to write the stories God gives us to write. Just because something is a hot trend doesn’t mean that we should write it. That’s when it’s good to have people around you (or in cyberspace) who can help you stay on track and grow as a writer so that you will be able to tell your story excellently.

What’s the worst piece of writing advice you’ve heard?

Teen fiction doesn’t sell. That’s what I heard repeatedly at the first conference I attended. I was so convinced that I was going to shelve Beka for good. It was a friend who talked me into submitting it to Moody at Mount Hermon and look what happened from that.

How does YA writing differ from adult novels?

For one, your protagonist will be a teenager and the world you write in tends to be smaller because what impacts a teen most are the things right around them. It’s not that they aren’t aware of culture and world events, they just have more immediate and personal concerns at that age. There’s a bit more economy of words – descriptions will be more to the point and the word count is generally lower. But everything else, characterization, authentic dialogue, moving plot – all those things must be there. You can’t write YA with an agenda because teens will see it a mile away. You just have to let the story speak for itself.

What’s something you wish you’d known earlier that might have saved you some time/frustration in the publishing business?

How long everything takes. The process of getting a contract at the publishing house, the editing process, waiting for it to actually be published. It can take so long. The key for me is to stay busy and have the next project ready to jump into. While I’m waiting to hear back on all the proposals I’ve written lately, I will work on another project. It keeps the frustration at bay somewhat.

Do you have a scripture or quote that has been speaking to you lately?

"The fiction writer should be concerned with only one thing: to be hotly in pursuit of the real." -Flannery O'Connor

This quote has meant a lot to me as I deal with the idea that God seems to be drawing me more towards fiction. There are so many people around me who think that fiction isn’t “real” writing. I met a pastor at Burger King the other day and he basically said, “I don’t waste my time with fiction.” And unfortunately, that seems to be the feeling of many. I guess I’m just trying to settle it in my heart that few are going to understand what I do, and why I do it.


Is there a particularly difficult set back that you’ve gone through in your writing career you are willing to share?

This past year I lost my father, he was only 59 and from diagnosis to death we only had three weeks. For months after his death I didn’t write, couldn’t write. It all just felt so fleeting and useless. In my family of origin, my dad was my only cheerleader. He was the one that was excited for me and asked me how my writing was going. I lost an important part of my support system and it was hard to go on. But I had a deadline that forced me back into writing. That turned out to be a good thing because I don’t know how long I would have lingered in the sorrow had I not been forced out of it. That is why The Encore is dedicated to him.

What are a few of your favorite books? (Not written by you.) I’m glad you said “a few”! I love so many books but my favorites tend to be those from my childhood – The Drina series by Jean Estoril, the Shoe books and Gemma series by Noel Streatfield and Harriet the Spy.

If your authorial self was a character from The Wizard of Oz, which one would you be and why?

Definitely the Cowardly Lion. It is courage I most lack. I fear failure, I fear disapproval, and I fear just not being good enough. And God decides to put me in an industry that is based on subjective opinions. It’s hard to face that not everyone is going to like my books and that rejection (at least in publishing) isn’t personal. It’s a business. But stepping out with new projects, like what I’m doing now, keeps me on my knees, trying to remind myself to not worry about the results, just worry about writing down what’s inside of me.

What piece of writing have you done that you’re particularly proud of and why?

It’s actually a middle-grade novel I wrote a while back. It needs some work (so I’m not proud because it’s my best writing) but I love the story. One of the characters is based on my grandfather so it holds a special place in my heart. If I ever get the time to pull it out and clean it up, I’d love to see if it could be published.

Do you have a pet peeve having to do with this biz?

Why all the marketing money goes to authors who already have a following and are going to sell tons of books anyhow. And the rest are left to try and make it on their own.

Can you give us a view into a typical day of your writing life?

I have three little girls. Lydia is six, Cassandra is almost five and Molly is two and a half. Right now, Molly and Cassie are in preschool (that may not last) so I drop them off in the morning and get a couple of hours to write from 9-11. Then during Molly’s afternoon nap, I write for another hour or so. In between are all the other wife and mom things that need to be done. If I’m on deadline, I will also write some in the evening after my husband gets home and on the weekends. I try to sneak in as much time as I can. Some days are more productive than others. Though at this point in my life, I never feel like I get enough time, but I make do with what I’m given.

If you could choose to have one strength of another writer, what would it be and from whom?

Ohhh – good question! I just read BJ Hoff’s American Anthem series and loved them. I like how she was able to set you in that time and place without, well, boring you with too many details. There was enough to satisfy your senses but not so much that I began to skim (yes, I just admitted that). So description skill – BJ Hoff.


Do you have a dream for the future of your writing, something you would love to accomplish?

I really just want to keep writing and be in this business long-term. I also have several original movies I would like to write. Writing them isn’t the main problem – getting them bought is hard and getting them actually made is next to impossible in mainstream Hollywood. So my fun dream is actually getting to go to the premiere of a movie I wrote.

Was there ever a time in your writing career you thought of quitting?

Not seriously. This past year is probably the closest I’ve been and that was only because of my grief. I’m in this for the long haul.

What is your favorite and least favorite part of being a writer?

My favorite part is that I get to stay home and be a mom first and also get the privilege to write. It’s awesome. My least favorite part is being misunderstood. People don’t see what I do as something real, but more like a hobby that I indulge. It’s hard. My husband is my best friend and biggest supporter so he keeps me going when I feel frustrated.

How much marketing do you do? Any advice in this area?

Never enough! This is the hardest part for me because really, I’d much rather do the writing part. It’s also hard with young children – I can’t travel a lot and my resources are limited. I try to be creative but it all takes time and balancing that is key. My advice is do all that you can do but have a plan in doing it. I have a list of marketing ideas and when I get time, I tick something off that list. Some things work well for me and some things don’t. Experiment and don’t be afraid to try new things. Make the most of what you’ve got.

Parting words?

Keep writing! I think there are two keys to making it in this business: 1) Being teachable – if you are teachable, you’ll be able to grow and mature as a writer. 2) Perseverance – you’ve got to keep at it and not give up.


Sarah Anne Sumpolec
http://www.girlsandgod.blogspot.com/
http://www.sarahannesumpolec.com/