Author Interview with Sara Brunsvold
Welcome to my author interview with Sara Brunsvold! If you enjoyed The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip, keep reading to learn more about Sara’s newest book, The Divine Proverb of Streusel.
Sara is giving away a paperback to one US winner, who will be chosen from among those who comment below by March 5. Don’t miss your chance to win!
Welcome Sara! I’m so glad to have you on the blog this week. Let’s get started with our questions.
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to be a novelist from the time I was in middle school. While I did entertain notions of going into the medical field, being a novelist was all I truly wanted to be.
I love that you knew you wanted to write and publish novels from such a young age. How and when did you start writing?
I started writing in seventh grade, largely because of the encouragement of my Language Arts teacher, Mrs. Seward. She was the first one to encourage me to pursue creative writing. I filled so many spiralbound notebooks with stories during those years. I lived on a farm nine miles from the nearest town, so it could be lonely. Stories were my outlet.
Fictional friends can become like real people, can’t they? Who was your favorite book character as a child?
Beverly Cleary’s Ramona Quimby was my first fictional hero.
My daughters loved reading Beverly Cleary books, too. What does your writing space look like?
Currently, my writing space is a corner of my bedroom. We have a small house, so I don’t have a lot of options for setting up shop. While the corner works great and I can shut the bedroom door as needed, distractions can seep it. We have children in the home and a dog who is a definite mama’s boy. I daydream of building a cozy “writing shed” in the backyard, complete with comfy furniture, a mini fridge, plenty of natural light and sound-minimizing walls.
That would be an incredible writing space! How do you incorporate Christ and hope into your writing?
At least one character in every story I write is a person of faith, which influences how they speak, how they think, how they approach trials, etc. When faith is a key element of who someone is, it is natural for Christ and the hope He brings to weave itself into the story.
I couldn’t agree more! Is The Divine Proverb of Streusel inspired by true events or personal history?
Yes, in a loose sense. The book is set in a rural church community that is based on the one in which I grew up and my family has its ancestral roots. The father hurt the main character, Nikki, wrestles with is inspired by the hurt I navigated from my own father. And two of the recipes featured in the book are taken directly from my grandmother’s collection.
Ooh, that’s so cool! What is the premise of The Divine Proverb of Streusel?
Nikki Werner finds solace in the midst of a family crisis by cooking her way through her great-grandmother’s German recipes. The more recipes she prepares, the deeper she goes in understanding her family roots and identity – and how that knowledge will shape who she is to become.
Sounds like a wonderful combination of deep, rich characters and deliciousness. LOL. Which character in The Divine Proverb of Streusel was easiest for you to write and why? Which character presented the biggest challenge?
The easiest character to write was Aunt Emma, Nikki’s great-aunt. She is quirky and fun and always has a witty thing to say. She reminds me so much of my Southern great-aunt.
The character who presented the biggest challenge was Uncle Wes, Nikki’s paternal uncle. He represents the first time I have written from a male point of view, and it was an eye-opening experience.
Men definitely think, speak, and act differently than women! What do you enjoy most about being a writer?
The community! The Christian fiction community is incredibly supportive. I have been amazed at how giving and Christ-minded the authors are, and I can’t say enough about the readers. The amount of support, encouragement and sweet moments I have experienced has been beyond what I could have imagined. To be a part of this community that believes in fiction’s place in Kingdom work is an honor.
I have found the same to be true. What a blessing! Do you enjoy marketing and social media? Which platform are you most active on?
I enjoy the fruit of marketing and social media, but not necessarily the process. Marketing and social media planning both require a lot of time, energy and creativity, but when I see how those efforts nurture a lasting connection with a reader or open up an opportunity for me to bless someone else, I am reminded how sweet the fruit is.
I am most active on Instagram, whose bookish community always recharges me, as well as Facebook, primarily because of the Avid Readers of Christian Fiction group. Talk about amazing people!
Oh, yes, the Avid Readers group is incredible!
I so appreciate you sharing on my blog this week, Sara. I pray your latest book finds great success and reaches even more people than your first award-winning novel!
Comment on Sara Brunsvold’s author interview by March 5 for a chance to win a paperback of #TheDivineProverbofStreusel. (US winner only)
#newrelease #giveaway
Join the conversation. Did you read Sara’s award-winning debut novel, The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip? Does her new book sound like a story you’d enjoy reading? What element grabs your attention the most? Do you have any questions for Sara?
Be sure to keep scrolling to the end and leave your comments by March 5 for a chance to win a paperback of The Divine Proverb of Streusel! (US winner only)
The Divine Proverb of Streusel by Sara Brunsvold
Click the book cover for purchase link
Shaken by her parents’ divorce and discouraged by the growing chasm between herself and her serious boyfriend, Nikki Werner seeks solace at her uncle’s farm in a small Missouri hamlet. She’ll spend the summer there, picking up the pieces of her shattered present so she can plan a better future. But what awaits her at the ancestral farm is a past she barely knows.
Among her late grandmother’s belongings, Nikki finds an old notebook filled with handwritten German recipes and wise sayings pulled from the book of Proverbs. With each recipe she makes, she invites locals to the family table to hear their stories about the town’s history, her ancestors–and her estranged father.
What started as a cathartic way to connect to her heritage soon becomes the means through which she learns how the women before her endured–with the help of their cooking prowess. Nikki realizes how delicious streusel with a healthy dollop of faith can serve as a guide to heal wounds of the past.
Sara Brunsvold is a Christy and Carol Award-winning author who creates stories that speak hope and life. Influenced by humble women of God who find His fingerprints in the everyday, she does the same in her life and her storytelling. She lives with her family in the Kansas City, Mo., area.
Connect with Sara: Website / Newsletter / Facebook / Instagram
Please share Sara’s interview on social media to help spread the word about her books!
If you missed my spotlight on The Rhythm of Fractured Grace by Amanda Wen last week, you can find it here.
Deena Adams
As a Jesus girl for more than thirty years, Deena Adams understands how important hope is to daily life, which fuels her passion to inspire others through hope-filled fiction based on true to life stories. She is represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube Agency and is a multi-award-winning writer, an active ACFW member, and ACFW Virginia president. Connect with Deena through her website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
28 Comments
Deena Adams
Congratulations to Kera Bell! You’re the winner of Sara’s book. Thanks to all who read the interview and commented.
Cherie J
She is a new to me author and this book sounds intriguing. I love to bake and cook. I can so totally relate to trying those recipes left in her grandmother’s belongings and feeling a sense of connection with her.
Deena Adams
Thanks so much for stopping by, Cherie! I hope you get to read Sara’s book. 🙂 And happy cooking!
Name Teresa Warner
New author for me, the first book sounds great. I think I would enjoy this one!
Deena Adams
Hi, Teresa. I hope you will get to read Sara’s books! I loved Mrs. Kip, so I have no doubt this second one will be great, too.
Sally Luoma
I am really looking forward to reading The Divine Proverb of Streusel! Our book club has selected it for our May reading! Thank you Ms. Brunsvold for making yourself available for interviews such as this. Thank you also Ms. Adams for bringing this to us! That extra bit of insight always makes a book more enjoyable!
Deena Adams
Hi, Sally. How fun that your book club is reading The Divine Proverb in May! I enjoy getting a behind the scenes peek at the author’s life, too.
Charlsie
I’m an avid reader and enjoyed this interview! I’ve read Mrs. Kip and look forward to reading The Divine Proverb!
Deena Adams
Hi, Charlsie. Thanks for stopping by! I really enjoyed Mrs. Kip and know I will like this second one as well. 🙂
Danielle Hull
I just read Mrs. Kip in February after a friend told me it was the best book she ever read. It was amazing! It was hard to finish though, because I kept crying! Looking forward to Streusel?
Avid readers
Deena Adams
Hi, Danielle. Mrs. Kip was definitely a tear-jerker. My mother died of cancer in 2021 and I thought it would be hard for me to read Sara’s book after losing Mom, but it was actually encouraging. I’m looking forward to reading this new one by Sara!
Sara Brunsvold
“Best book” is such high praise! I am thankful God is using that story in mighty ways. Thank you so much for reading!
Jeanette Davis
Sounds like a great book! I love the quicky, witty characters! And although I love the idea of cooking, I tend to stay with a few tried and true recipes…but food draws us together. Big holiday meals with extended family or small suppers with immediate family members. Such joy in getting to know one another. I always felt sad when I used to hear the commercials telling people to have meals together, because that was basic in my family growing up. We have truly lost family when we don’t share at least one meal a day where we can slow down and enjoy each other’s company. So I can see why Nikki would find comfort in her grandmother’s recipe book. I am putting this book on my Goodreads want to read list, thank you for the opportunity to win a copy!
Deena Adams
Hi, Jeanette. You’re so right about how important gathering around the table is! With today’s busy schedules in young families, much of that has been lost. We always had family meals when I was a kid and also when our own children were growing up. Thanks so much for reading Sara’s interview and joining the conversation!
Sara Brunsvold
What a joy to do this interview with you, Deena! I love sharing the joy of Christian fiction and butter whenever I can 🙂 I pray that the story will be a blessing to all who read it.
Deena Adams
It’s a pleasure to host you, Sara!
Traci Winget
I adored Mrs. Kip so it was a no brainer that I’d purchase your newest book. I’m reading it right now! I’m not far in at all, so can’t really comment, but I’m anxious to make time to read it. Blessings!!!
Deena Adams
Traci, do you have the Kindle version or paperback? If paperback, I’d love to borrow it when you’re finished.
Sara Brunsvold
That encourages my heart so much, Traci! Praise God you are enjoying it!
Faith D. Cox
I enjoyed the interview and look forward to reading The Divine Proverb of Streusel!
My love of writing also began in middle school. It was with a fourth grade writing assignment. Many years later, I now have a professional website: faithdcox.com, a few published works, and two screenplays in production.
Thank you for taking the time for this interview and offering an opportunity to win a paperback copy of The Divine Proverb of Streusel.
Deena Adams
Congratulatioins on your writing accomplishments, Faith! Thanks for reading Sara’s interview and joining the conversation. 🙂
Priscilla Bettis
Great interview! I loved The Divine Proverb of Streusel!
Deena Adams
Thanks, Priscilla!
Lynn Moore
Deena…..you always find such interesting authors to interview…and my “TBR” as well as my “Already Read” list grows & grows because of it! Thanks for sharing!
Sara…..I can totally envision your future
“Sara Shed!” But…. I see your bedroom writing corner is serving you well in the meantime. Blessings on your writing! 📚
Deena Adams
I’m glad you’re enjoying some hope-filled fiction books, Lynn! Thanks so much for being a faithful reader!
Sara Brunsvold
Oh Lynn, I love that vision! A “Sara Shed” sounds amazing!
Deena Adams
Hi, Kera. I wish I enjoyed cooking more. I do it because I have to. Maybe I can just live vicariously through Sara’s book characters. LOL I hope we both get the chance to read this book soon!
Kera Bell
I really want to read this book. I want to finish the other book too, but I I want to read this book for the recipes as well because I love cooking and baking.