Author Interview: Sue A. Fairchild

Today, we have the blessing of getting to know Sue A. Fairchild a bit more. She's an editor as well as an author (as am I, so excited to find out there are more out there!) and has a heart for God. And she's giving us a peek into her newest release--perfect for this time of year. We're so glad to have you here today! Can you tell us how you got started writing?

A church friend told me that a story I told in Sunday school would make a good devotion, but I didn't know what a devotion even was! She invited me to her writing group and taught me how to write it and get it published. Since then my group has helped me publish numerous devotions, newspaper articles, and six books, the sixth of which is an Advent devotional coming out soon. 

I know you're an editor too. What are some ways that being an editor makes your writing stronger? Does being an author make it easier or harder to be an editor?
​
Being an editor has definitely helped me with my writing because I am constantly learning about writing rules to help my clients. I take what I've learned and apply it to my writing. I know it's helped me be a better writer. But it can also make it harder to be a writer because I'm quite meticulous, some would say a perfectionist, which can cause me to stall my writing endeavors. One of your books is set in the Outer Banks. Can you tell us what drew you to that location for your setting?

Yes—Changing Tides. I set this story there because it's based loosely on my marriage and my husband and I love to vacation in OBX. Avon, NC was the first place we ever went on vacation together, in fact. And the coffee shop in the book is similar to one we like to visit there. The Outer Banks is such a lovely, peaceful place, and I wanted to have this backdrop of something beautiful in contrast to the hard things my main character goes through with the loss of his wife. Plus, we always joke that we'll retire to the beach someday and Avon seems like a place that would be good for that.

Of all your characters, which one is most like you and why?

Well, I've written a few books based loosely on my own life, so I'm a bit like Emily from What You Think You Know and also Summer Stewart from Summer's Refrain. Emily is me when I was younger. That story is based on my teenage years. Summer is more like me in my early twenties. She is constantly running away from things, thinking it's easier than sticking it out in the hard times. That was a lot like me at one point in my life. But if I had to say one of my characters that is most like me, it would be Ellie from Changing Tides since that character is truly based on who I am right now. I guess I put a little bit of myself in a lot of my characters!

You have several books published already, including a young adult one. What's next for you? Can you give us a sneak peek?

I've just released an Advent devotional called More than A Manger. This book came about from that same friend who first encouraged me to write a devotion and get it published. She and I worked on Advent readings for our church for several years. In the process, I've learned so much about Jesus and his birth and I wanted to share it with others. There is so much more than just what we see in Christmas plays or in movies. I've also published a companion journal readers can purchase to go along with the devotional. I wanted readers to have a place to write down all they learned as they also dig into the story of Jesus's birth. I've put a fiction novel on hold to finish this book, so we'll see if God leads me to finish that one next. It would be the third in my "Changing" series.

What is one thing you discovered while editing that you found absolutely fascinating?

I love fact checking as part of the editing process. I've learned so much as a result. One time I was proofreading a book set in the Thousand Islands in the early 1800s, I think. The author spoke about Adirondack chairs which weren't invented until the 1900s! I wouldn't have known that but something just told me to look it up and I did. I'm not sure if the author changed it, but I hope so.

Any tips for those who aspire to be authors?

Know that it's hard work. Writing can be fun and therapeutic and even rewarding, but it takes a lot of effort to publish things with integrity and excellence. As a Christian author, I write to put God's message out into the world and I want to ensure I do it with the utmost quality so the light I shine on him is clear. But no matter what or who you write for, know your stuff. Take classes. Go to conferences. Seek the wisdom of more experienced writers. Be willing to learn and open to critique. I've done those things and am a better writer because of it. But I know I still can learn and grow more.
More than a Manger

A Christmas nativity set traditionally includes a barn-like setting, Mary, Joseph, the baby Jesus, one shepherd, a few animals, and three wise men. But Jesus’s birth is about more than just the manger and those who were (and were not) there. Jesus came to earth for more than just one day and for more than that manger scene.
Delve into the Christmas story with twenty-five short Advent devotions designed to draw you closer to God and show you so much more than the typical manger scene. Author Sue A. Fairchild explores texts from both the Old and New Testament to show readers the intricate story of Jesus’s birth and his love for us. Separate companion journal also available.  Sue A. Fairchild is an editor, writer, and speaker. In 2024, Sue traditionally published two Christian Contemporary novels, one of which, Changing Tides, won honorable mention in the AWSA Golden Scrolls awards and was a finalist in the American Legacy Book Awards. When she is not writing her own books for God’s kingdom, Sue loves working with clients who are working toward the greater good of sharing God’s message in this world. Sue is also the Faculty Coordinator of the St. Davids Christian Writers' Conference in Meadville, PA. Learn more about Sue on her website sueafairchild.wordpress.com or on Instagram @suefairchildedits or email her to talk about working together sueafairchild74@gmail.com.

​