S.F. Baumgartner Interview Published on: 05, Jul 2023
What are some of your favorite childhood memories?
That would be hard to pick. I suppose my favorite would be holiday celebrations with extended families and friends. Lots of fun.
Do you remember the first book you picked up to read? What was it about?That would be decades ago. Sorry, I don't remember.
What inspired you to become a writer?I'm not really sure. My first attempt was when I was barely out of high school. Not until recently that I took the plunge to dive in deep.
What led you to combine elements of Christian faith with the suspense thriller genre?Well, my Faith is important to me. So, I'd like to incorporate it in the stories I tell. The characters I portray in the suspense thrillers are Christians (main characters anyway), they must rely on their Faith to get them through dangerous times.
Can you tell us about the inspiration behind your Mirror Estate series?I like to read crime thrillers and I love crime TV shows. Over the years, the ideas mashed together and inspired the series.
How do you approach incorporating Christian themes and values into your suspenseful narratives?Like I said earlier, the main characters are Christians and they must rely on their Faith in times of danger. I incorporate Christian themes, actually universal themes, like forgiveness, redemption, sacrifice, in the novels.
Buried Secrets features intricate plots and unexpected twists. How do you go about planning and crafting such suspenseful storylines? Do you have any specific writing techniques or strategies?I'm a plotter and I love Save the Cat Write a Novel story structure. I always start out with that, but I'm not a rigid plotter. I know the beginning and ending. Sometimes, when I write, the characters like to take me on a different path. And other times, inspiration hits me while I write. But these are all during the middle of the story (the twists & turns). I'll always get to the ending I plan.
How do you develop your characters to make them relatable and compelling to readers? Are there any real-life inspirations behind your characters?I would say yes and no. I get inspiration from some TV crime show characters. A lot from my imagination. And a few from my own circle of friends & family.
The fusion of suspense and faith can be a unique blend. How have your readers responded to this genre crossover?I haven't heard any feedback from my readers on this point yet.
As an author, how important is it for you to create a sense of tension and suspense throughout your novels?It is very important to keep readers engaged.
What challenges have you encountered while writing the Mirror Estate series?Well, the pandemic for one. Finding time and inspiration and focus are a challenge sometimes.
How do you overcome obstacles or writer's block during the creative process?I binge watch crime TV shows and oftentimes, an idea will spark.
What is the best writing tip you ever received and who gave it to you?I don't remember who, but having a daily writing goal is a good tip for me. I hit the target then I know I can rest.
Are there any upcoming projects or developments in the Mirror Estate series that you can share with us? Can readers expect more thrilling installments or new ventures in the future?Yes, book 1 is scheduled for release in late September. I'm working on book 2 now. As of now, book 2 is slated for an early 2024 release.
When did you first join AllAuthor and did you join as a free or pro-member first? What are your thoughts on this website?I joined when it was still new. We early adopters got to vote on the logo. It's amazing in a few short years, the site has grown so much.
