Author Q & A
What inspired you to write the book, Simple Things?
Honestly, it was through prayer and my own struggles that Simple Things came to be. I figured if I was dealing with these things in my own life then there were women all over the world dealing with the same issues.
Honestly, it was through prayer and my own struggles that Simple Things came to be. I figured if I was dealing with these things in my own life then there were women all over the world dealing with the same issues.
What are your writing habits?
I need complete quiet when I write, the house empty, and a cup of tea. I usually write by a window so I can look far away at the trees, it clears my head.
I need complete quiet when I write, the house empty, and a cup of tea. I usually write by a window so I can look far away at the trees, it clears my head.
When did you start writing?
My earliest poetry is from when I was ten. It’s not very good.
My earliest poetry is from when I was ten. It’s not very good.
Do you have a special routine connected with your writing time?
I get all of my housework and other chores done in the morning and write in the afternoon.
I get all of my housework and other chores done in the morning and write in the afternoon.
What do you want people to remember about Simple Things long after they’ve finished reading it?
That God has more for them if they’d just allow Him full control of their lives.
That God has more for them if they’d just allow Him full control of their lives.
Who inspired you to become a writer?
I’m not sure anyone did, it’s just something that’s always been part of me, begging to get out.
I’m not sure anyone did, it’s just something that’s always been part of me, begging to get out.
Where is your favorite place to write?
My office or the kitchen table, next to a window.
My office or the kitchen table, next to a window.
What is one thing you hope people will not assume or think about you, because you have written a book?
That I am somehow special. I don’t feel any different than I did before. Everyone keeps mentioning how proud they are of me for writing a book but I don’t feel a sense of accomplishment, I just feel like it was what I was supposed to do. In the same way I cook dinner for my husband, I write. It’s just my thing.
That I am somehow special. I don’t feel any different than I did before. Everyone keeps mentioning how proud they are of me for writing a book but I don’t feel a sense of accomplishment, I just feel like it was what I was supposed to do. In the same way I cook dinner for my husband, I write. It’s just my thing.
Where are you from?
I was born in Rhode Island and my parents moved me to Pennsylvania when I was five. I’m not fully recovered from being torn away from the sea.
I was born in Rhode Island and my parents moved me to Pennsylvania when I was five. I’m not fully recovered from being torn away from the sea.
Tell us your latest news.
Currently promoting Simple Things and am jotting down notes for a future book that I plan to begin writing this fall.
Currently promoting Simple Things and am jotting down notes for a future book that I plan to begin writing this fall.
When and why did you begin writing?
I’ve always been able to think better by putting my thoughts into words. I’ve journaled and written poetry for decades. It’s the best way I know to express myself.
I’ve always been able to think better by putting my thoughts into words. I’ve journaled and written poetry for decades. It’s the best way I know to express myself.
When did you first consider yourself a writer?
When I realized that the words connected me to a deeper part of myself. And when I began to think in phrases.
When I realized that the words connected me to a deeper part of myself. And when I began to think in phrases.
What inspired you to write your first book?
There were several events that motivated me to begin, prayer being one of them. I came across a writing contest and that propelled me into a seat and to start writing. Nothing came of it except for a finished rough draft.
There were several events that motivated me to begin, prayer being one of them. I came across a writing contest and that propelled me into a seat and to start writing. Nothing came of it except for a finished rough draft.
Do you have a specific writing style?
My thoughts seem to come in phrases now and I try to jot them down as quickly as they come, then I assemble them into something readable.
My thoughts seem to come in phrases now and I try to jot them down as quickly as they come, then I assemble them into something readable.
How did you come up with the title?
It seemed appropriate. Lessons I’ve learned. Things I’ve taken for granted. The Simple Things.
It seemed appropriate. Lessons I’ve learned. Things I’ve taken for granted. The Simple Things.
Is there a message in your book that you want readers to grasp?
Life is about so much more than what we do, it’s about how we live and who we live for. At the end of our days it’s just us and God and it’s too late to choose to live for Him then. Are the things we get involved in worth risking eternity for?
Life is about so much more than what we do, it’s about how we live and who we live for. At the end of our days it’s just us and God and it’s too late to choose to live for Him then. Are the things we get involved in worth risking eternity for?
Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?
Most of Simple Things is based on true events, names and situations have been changed in many cases, to protect the innocent and the not-so-innocent.
Most of Simple Things is based on true events, names and situations have been changed in many cases, to protect the innocent and the not-so-innocent.
What books have most influenced your life most?
Aside from the obvious Christian answer, the Bible, I’d have to say Dave Ramsey’s Total Money Makeover and Angela Hunt’s The Debt.
Aside from the obvious Christian answer, the Bible, I’d have to say Dave Ramsey’s Total Money Makeover and Angela Hunt’s The Debt.
If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?
Diann Hunt gave me time and advice several years before she passed away. She encouraged me to write. I had the chance to meet with Marjorie Holmes in her home in the late 80s and she read some of my poetry and urged me to keep writing. The fact that she took time to meet with a teenage me meant the world to me.
Diann Hunt gave me time and advice several years before she passed away. She encouraged me to write. I had the chance to meet with Marjorie Holmes in her home in the late 80s and she read some of my poetry and urged me to keep writing. The fact that she took time to meet with a teenage me meant the world to me.
What book are you reading now?
The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?
Christy Barritt, while not new, has really been a lot of fun to read over the past year.
Christy Barritt, while not new, has really been a lot of fun to read over the past year.
Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members.
My friends from college (thirty years ago!) Maria and Cherie
My friends from college (thirty years ago!) Maria and Cherie
Do you see writing as a career?
I would love to see that, but I’ll move in whichever direction God has for me. That is one lesson I’ve learned the hard way.
I would love to see that, but I’ll move in whichever direction God has for me. That is one lesson I’ve learned the hard way.
If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?
I think I’d add a sentence here and there. Is anyone every truly satisfied? I could edit that baby forever.
I think I’d add a sentence here and there. Is anyone every truly satisfied? I could edit that baby forever.
Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?
I’ve always been an avid reader and I think it just seemed natural.
I’ve always been an avid reader and I think it just seemed natural.
Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?
Learning the craft of writing is challenging. It’s more than just correct spelling and proper punctuation. There’s an art to it and it’s hard to stay in the lines.
Learning the craft of writing is challenging. It’s more than just correct spelling and proper punctuation. There’s an art to it and it’s hard to stay in the lines.
Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?
I don’t have one favorite, I’m a lover of many authors and books. I do tend to graze in the Christian fiction genre because I don’t want to read anything obscene. I don’t live that way and I don’t want it in my head or heart.
I don’t have one favorite, I’m a lover of many authors and books. I do tend to graze in the Christian fiction genre because I don’t want to read anything obscene. I don’t live that way and I don’t want it in my head or heart.
Do you have to travel much concerning your book?
Not yet…
Not yet…
Who designed the cover?
I had an idea of how I wanted it to look and asked a friend who is good at creating graphics to help. Micah spent an evening playing around with some designs and listening to his wife, Bethany, tell him how she thought I’d want it. She was right.
I had an idea of how I wanted it to look and asked a friend who is good at creating graphics to help. Micah spent an evening playing around with some designs and listening to his wife, Bethany, tell him how she thought I’d want it. She was right.
What was the hardest part of writing your book?
Convincing myself that anyone would want to read anything I had to say. I’m just little old me.
Convincing myself that anyone would want to read anything I had to say. I’m just little old me.
Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?Always have a pen and notebook handy because you never know when inspiration might hit.
Do you have any advice for other writers?Just keep writing. If it is in you let it out.
Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?God loves you. Never forget that.
About the Author:
Suzanne Schaffer is wife to a pastor and mom to two adult children and one brown dog. She is a lover of all things 1940s and can usually be found with a cup of tea in one hand and a book in the other. She believes life is too short for mediocre food and will spend extra on good chocolate. Her sense of humor gets her through the hard times of life and she laughs freely at whatever comes her way. Suzanne lives in the mountains of Central Pennsylvania. She’s been writing most of her life, mostly to appease the urge to get the words on paper. Simple Things is her first book. Visit her online at http://www.notenoughchocolate.blogspot.com
About the book:
Do you want to find God’s will for your life? Do you want to capture the excitement you once had as a believer?
Our lives as Christians can get complicated when we listen to the voices around us that try to influence our choices. Simple Things takes us back to the basics and reminds
us to live for Jesus and not for the perceived expectations of others.
Using wit and life experiences Suzanne shares how she handles the day-to-day when the outside is pressing in. You’ll find yourself being gently nudged to get closer to your creator
as you discover how to have a peaceful home, learn how to pray continually, and discover how to keep God first in all areas of your life. Suzanne invites the reader to learn from her mistakes and laugh alongside her. Simple Things…becoming a Godly woman in an ungodly world.
Our lives as Christians can get complicated when we listen to the voices around us that try to influence our choices. Simple Things takes us back to the basics and reminds
us to live for Jesus and not for the perceived expectations of others.
Using wit and life experiences Suzanne shares how she handles the day-to-day when the outside is pressing in. You’ll find yourself being gently nudged to get closer to your creator
as you discover how to have a peaceful home, learn how to pray continually, and discover how to keep God first in all areas of your life. Suzanne invites the reader to learn from her mistakes and laugh alongside her. Simple Things…becoming a Godly woman in an ungodly world.
Simple Things is recommended for women of all ages. Each chapter closes with questions which also makes it perfect for a Bible study or small group.
The book is available on Amazon only:
Link to Kindle version: https://www.amazon.com/Simple-Things-Becoming-Godly-Ungodly-ebook/dp/B071GM9J74/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1500407897&sr=8-2&keywords=suzanne+schaffer
Link to Kindle version: https://www.amazon.com/Simple-Things-Becoming-Godly-Ungodly-ebook/dp/B071GM9J74/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1500407897&sr=8-2&keywords=suzanne+schaffer
Link to paperback: https://www.amazon.com/Simple-Things-Becoming-Godly-Ungodly/dp/0692895213/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1500407897&sr=8-1&keywords=suzanne+schaffer
All proceeds from this book go directly to Convoy:Women https://www.convoyofhope.org/get-involved/convoywomen/
A division of Convoy of Hope https://www.convoyofhope.org/
that teaches women in third world countries how to provide for their families. They provide the training and the women do the work. They also give them hope through Jesus.
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