The Romantic Side of Suspense Author/Coach/Encourager Sarah Hamaker


How Sherri Shackleford Gets to Know Her Characters (Episode 4)
“For me, I’m very much a character-drive plotter,” Sherri said. “If I know my character’s conflict at the beginning, that helps keep the romantic and personal plots in place. Because if I’m ever tempted to stray, I go back to what is their false belief.”

How Denise Weimer Stumbled Into Romantic Suspense (Episode 3)
“My favorite thing is to name a book based on a theme, an underlying inspirational theme or character development theme in my books,” Denise said. “I also sometimes choose a name based on a big event that happens in the book.”

Linda Shenton Matchett’s Strategy for Writing (Episode 2)
“We recently downsized and relocated to a tiny house that backs up to woods and forest,” Linda said. “There’s a chair that looks out over the woods. In the summer, I sit on our deck in a chaise lounge overlooking the woods. I find it restive and rejuvenating while I’m working.”

The World of Julie B Cosgrove (Episode 1)
“I would advise someone who wanted to write a book to do it—just sit down and write and get it out,” Julie said. “Don’t worry about grammar, don’t worry about spelling or any punctuation—get the English teacher out of your head!—just get it down on paper. … Get into in person or online with a good, supportive critique group.”

Birthing a Baby—and a Book
by Sarah Hamaker Writing and publishing a book is often compared to giving birth. In my case, my first book and my fourth baby had the same birthday. Like many books, mine started with a germ of an idea about helping women decide on a work-from-home business or at-home employment. I wrote up a proposal […]

Why Christmas is Mary Vee’s Favorite Holiday
Christmas is Mary Vee’s favorite holiday. What better time to set a mystery or a suspense story! She loves to travel to exciting places like New York City, Paris, the Iditarod trail and much more. Mary has been a finalist in several writing contests and writes for her king. What is your favorite spot for […]

October 2019 New Releases in Christian Fiction
More in-depth descriptions of these books can be found on the ACFW Fiction Finder website. Biblical Fiction: Lioness: Mahlah’s Journey by Barbara M. Britton — To keep her orphaned sisters together, Mahlah must seek what has never been granted to girls, an inheritance of God’s Promised Land. (Biblical from Harbourlight Books [Pelican]) […]

Murder, Mayhem and Lillian Duncan
Lillian writes the types of books she loves to read—fast-paced romantic suspense and mystery that demonstrates God’s love for us. After more than 30 years working as a speech pathologist for children, she believes in the power of words to transform lives, especially God’s Word. Where do you get the inspiration for your plots? Lillian: […]
