Sarah Loudin Thomashttps://sarahloudinthomas.com/
Author of These Blue Mountains
T4JYM: Can you tell us about your latest book and what readers can expect from it?
SLT: While researching the flood of 1916 in western North Carolina for another novel—These Tangled Threads—I came across information about a German POW camp in Hot Springs, NC. German sailors who were in US waters when war was declared were sent to North Carolina for the duration of the war. While there, they built an amazing Bavarian village almost entirely from flood debris. While digging into the history of that camp, I discovered a story about a German woman whose brother was taken prisoner and then disappeared and was presumed dead. Fifteen years later she saw his name on a cross in a photograph of a monument to German sailors who died at the camp in Hot Springs. Finally, she learned what happened to her brother. That was too astonishing a story to pass up! So, I made the brother a fiancé and sent my fictional Hedda Schlagel to America in the 1930s to try and recover the body of her long-lost love. The catch is that when they disinter Fritz’s casket … he’s not in it. There’s a woman’s remains there instead. Now Hedda has TWO mysteries to solve
T4JYM: What comes next? Are you working on something new?
SLT: My next book is also inspired by the WNC flood of 1916. Many people are familiar with Lake Toxaway, a popular resort area in the mountains. What most don’t know is that the lake sat empty for 40 years after the dam gave way following that flood. Lucy Camp Armstrong Moltz wanted to live on the lake so badly she camped on its shore for a summer to persuade her husband to build her a house there. Then, soon after the house was completed, the lake washed down the mountain. And yet, Lucy stayed and made a huge difference in many lives. I invented a character loosely based on Lucy who takes a young couple who’ve lost everything in the stock market crash of 1929 under her wing. There’s lost treasure, late-in-life romance, and underhanded dealings that land one character in prison. Coming in 2027!
T4JYM: I love the Book Club information and the fact that you are willing to join a Club meeting via Zoom. How often does this happen and what is it like?
SLT: I often do 2-3 Zooms per month. I follow the book club’s lead on what they’d like. Often, it includes some general information about the book including the real history behind it. Then we’ll have time for Q&A or general conversation. I also love to ask readers some of my own questions!
T4JYM: Please describe your writing process for our readers – from the spark of an idea through writing it, editing, and finally to publishing.
SLT: Once I find an idea and my editor agrees it’s a good one, I’ll usually do some general research (I write historical fiction) and then dive into the writing. I do LOTS more research as I go to nail down specifics and fine tune the characters, setting, and plot. It takes me around six month to write a full manuscript since I have to fit it in around my day job. Then I do a bit of self-editing before turning it in to my editor who will then help me figure out how to fix weaknesses and make it even better. From idea to finishes manuscript, it takes about a year.
T4JYM: Let’s do something NOT book related. What is your favorite: Food? Drink? Color? TV show? Musician/Band? Hobby? Movie?
SLT: I have lots of favorite foods—a really great cheeseburger and fries, duck confit, pasta in most forms, BREAD. I’m a hot tea drinker. And I do mean TEA, no herbal nonsense. Although I did go caffeine free a long time ago. Shades of blue are my favorites. I don’t watch much TV but when I do, it’s often HGTV or Food TV. I sort of garden as a hobby but I’m not very good at it. And the movies I’ve watched most often are To Kill a Mockingbird and The Princess Bride.
T4JYM: Besides writing books, tell our readers a little about you and the things that keep you busy.
SLT: In addition to being a writer, I’m the director of Jan Karon’s Mitford Museum in Hudson, NC. I oversee museum operations, events, and fundraising, so that keeps me pretty busy! I also lead a ladies Bible study and serve on several organizations include the local Education Foundation and the chamber of commerce. For fun, I like to hike with my husband and dog, cook, garden, and learn new stuff!
T4JYM: Who are some of your favorite authors? And why?
SLT: Wendell Berry will forever by my favorite author. His fiction, poetry, and essays never fail to inspire me. Others include A.W. Tozer, C.S. Lewis, Francine Rivers (her Mark of the Lion series was a turning point for me), and Lisa Wingate.
T4JYM: What kinds of books do you enjoy reading? What are you reading currently?
SLT: I typically have several books going at the same time. I enjoy nonfiction, especially in science and health. I often have a popular new release going on audio so I can keep up with the market while I drive or walk. And I’m often reading historical fiction for fun. Add to that Bible studies or commentaries for my small group along with research for my next novel, and my TBR pile is usually pretty deep! I’m currently reading Mrs. Lincoln’s Dressmaker and I recently read James. Both are excellent.
T4JYM: Will you share a short testimony of how you became a Christian?
SLT: Although I grew up in the church and would have said I was a Christian, I didn’t really come to faith until I faced a serious health crisis when I was 30. Coming face to face with my mortality pushed me to ask myself some hard questions about what I believed. It was a really difficult time but one that I look back on with gratitude. God knew I was drifting and he pulled me in close!
T4JYM: What advice would you give to someone interested in publishing their work?
SLT: If God made you a writer, then write. Don’t give up and write every day if at all possible. Patience and persistence are the two most important words in publishing. It’s probably going to take longer than you think and it will likely be harder than you think. Trust that God’s at work in you when the going gets tough. Actually, I think that’s when he does his best work in us.
T4JYM: What advice would you give to the youth of this world?
SLT: Wear sunscreen and put down your phone. Seriously, do those two things and in twenty years you will be SO glad you did.
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