I’m delighted to share author interviews with Terri Reed, Susanne Dietze and Tanya Stowe who have kindly contributed signed-by-the-author paperbacks for our LOVE INSPIRED GIVEAWAY EXTRAVAGANZA for AUSTRALIAN READERS (readers with an Australian mailing address).
*This post is also being shared at Australasian Christian Writers group blog.
TERRI REED
Can you tell us a little about yourself, and can you tell us what genres you write?
Hello I’m Terri Reed. I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember. As a kid, I would immerse myself in books and make up stories with my stuffed animals and dolls. In college, my creative writing professor told me I should think about writing for Harlequin. A little over ten years later, I sold to Harlequin’s Christian fiction line.I write stories for readers who love fast-paced romantic suspense with heart, strong faith elements, and emotionally grounded love stories. My stories have high-stakes danger, protective heroes, resilient heroines, and stories where hope and justice triumph.
How would you describe your writing process, and do you have a furry, feathered or other companion who helps?
My writing process involves pen and paper to sketch out the characters and the plot. Then I take hot baths and dictate the first draft of the story. I clean up that draft on the computer. I have a beautiful, needy Australian shepherd who lies next to me wherever I am. She’s my constant companion.
What impact do you hope your book has on readers?
Community is deeply important to me, and I’m endlessly grateful for my readers. I write in the hope that my stories provide moments of escape, encouragement, and inspiration. My heartfelt wish is that every reader finds peace, joy, and love within the pages of my books.
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SUSANNE DIETZE
Can you tell us a little about yourself, and can you tell us what genres you write?
Hi! I’m Susanne, and I live in California, USA, with my pastor husband. We are the empty-nest parents of two young adults. I have been writing contemporary books for Love Inspired for the past several years, but before that, I wrote historicals. I love both genres!
How would you describe your writing process, and do you have a furry, feathered or other companion who helps?
Before I start writing a book, I decide on the main tropes and I do a lot of brainstorming. I write it down on paper, and I include what the characters want, what emotional wounds they carry, how old they are, etc. Then I work on an outline, which guides me, but I deviate from it when the characters want to take over. I know it’s not the characters, though. It’s the Lord helping me out! Anything good in my stories comes from Him!
I did indeed have a fluffy companion who helped me write, but our darling cat Ruby passed about a year ago. I miss her so much. While we have been open to the “cat distribution system” bringing a new kitty to us, we realized the other day that it is ultimately a good thing that we haven’t yet adopted a new fur baby. My mom was diagnosed with cancer in 2024, and I spent a lot of time out of town at my parents’ house–sometimes for weeks at a time, especially in the months before my mother passed away in December. Our pet would have been alone a lot. Also, without pet care to consider, my husband was freer to be with me when needed. But pets are such blessings! One of these days…
What impact do you hope your book has on readers?
I have always been a voracious reader, appreciating the entertainment, escape, and education I found in books. But I also found connection when I recognized myself in something a character would feel or think. The common saying is that books are both windows and mirrors, but to me, they are also like a message in a bottle in that they can make me feel less alone in the universe. There’s a CS Lewis quote: “Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: ‘What! You too? I thought I was the only one.” That happens to me when I read books!
So, my prayer is always that with God’s help, something I put in a book will be meaningful to at least one person. I don’t claim to be insightful, eloquent, or have all the answers, but my hope is that there’s a sense of connection for someone so they don’t think they’re “the only one” experiencing something.
Message for our readers
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this interview and thank you for your support of Christian fiction! May God bless and keep you.
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TANYA STOWE
Can you tell us a little about yourself, and can you tell us what genres you write?
Ten years ago, my husband retired. We sold our home, bought a 44-foot motorhome, and hit the road as full-time RVers. Our RV has 2 bathrooms, a king-size bed, a queen size pull out couch for the grandkids when they come to visit, and a washer and a dryer. The only thing I don’t have is a dishwasher, and that’s because I said we’ll be using paper plates. We’ve been to almost all fifty states with a few exceptions. Alaska is one we’ve not visited, but we’ll be cruising there next year. I don’t miss my stick and brick home, and the stories I discover keep me very busy at my little desk tucked under the counter! I write Christian romantic suspense, but I also write contemporary and historical stories.
How would you describe your writing process, and do you have a furry, feathered or other companion who helps?
Travel inspires me. Every time we enter a new place, I want to know the stories. Who are the people, and where do they come from? It’s the little undiscovered tidbits that fire me up! Because we travel so much, we don’t have any furry companions. But I do have 22 grandchildren, and they travel with us frequently!
What impact do you hope your book has on readers?
I came to my faith as an adult. Handing my life over to God created an adventure I never expected. We have a large family, and the Lord has brought us through so many scary situations. I hope my stories show how the Lord is always with you, and no trouble is too big for Him.
Enter the giveaway here:
https://kingsumo.com/g/m2dq5d3/for-australian-readers-love-inspired-giveaway-extravaganza