Guest Interview with Sandy Nadeau, author of Red Gold

Hi Sandy, love the beautiful mountain backdrop! I'm so glad to have you visit here to tell us a little about yourself and I'm excited to hear more about your just released novel, Red Gold. Let's start off with some fun questions:

Please tell us about your favorite book as a child and your favorite book as an adult. Can you see a connection between those books?

I loved the book The Cay when it came out in the late 60's. I was in elementary school. It was a powerful story about a black man and white boy getting stranded on an island. Prejudice had to be overcome in order to survive. It's an incredible book. I'm not sure I can name one favorite book as an adult. There are so many. But the theme of overcoming seems to speak to me most.
What is your favorite Scripture? Do you also have a favorite Scripture that encourages you in your writing?

I guess Proverbs 3:5,6 is my most favorite. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path." That and 1 Peter 5:7 "Cast all your cares on Him for He cares for you." They both speak to me in so many aspects of my life including writing. I have to trust God in all I do, and try not to worry, since He'll work it all out.
If you could go to any place in the world to research/write a book, what setting would you choose?

That's a tough one. I'm fascinated with Norway (with my Scandinavian heritage) and Ireland. But I would choose The Grand Cayman because it is so incredible. Then it would have to be an underwater story since the snorkeling is so amazing there.  

We went to Ireland last year, and I have a story idea brewing that takes place there. And I can't wait to read your Grand Cayman book! 

I often wonder if I would write if I had to do it the old-fashioned way without computers and spell-checks and email. Is there anything about technology that you don't like? Or anything about it that you feel enhances your writing?

I started out *cough, cough* thirty years ago using a Smith Corona typewriter to learn writing on. White Out was my friend. I love how easy computers make this, especially when editing time comes along. I don't like when my computer acts up, since I don't know how to fix it. I especially hate computer viruses. Why do people have to do such mean-spirited things?! Now I'm so used to writing on the computer and all the advantages, so that alone enhances the process. 

As a writer how have you had to grow and stretch out of your comfort zone?

As you know, most writers are introverts. I'm very happy alone in my office writing. So talking to groups is definitely getting out of my comfort zone. Meeting with agents and editors at conferences is nerve wracking.  

What advice would you give to a beginning writer that you wish someone had given you?

Funny you should mention that. I met Tracie Peterson at a conference many years ago. Follow advice from a pro!! She was so encouraging and told me I should join this new writers group. I had no self-confidence in writing back then. I didn't join. *slapping forehead* Kept slogging along in my writing. Fast forward several years, and I met Colleen Coble who encouraged me to join the same group, now called the American Christian Fiction Writers. I finally did. What a tremendous difference it made in my level of learning the craft, networking with people doing the same thing, meeting with others that help me along the path. I met a gal at the Denver conference and we became very close friends and help each other with our writing. Get with other writers somehow. Learn all you can on the craft of writing and understand that the learning never stops. Ever. 

Joining ACFW was one of the best things I ever did for my writing, too. I remember meeting you at that Denver conference and you offering me and some others a ride to the airport. Do you want to add anything about your book such as how to order it?

Red Gold is a story that will take you on a mind tour of the Colorado mountains. I think you'll enjoy the ride along as characters face challenges, dangers and fun all rolled into a mystery surrounding the High Country Safaris guest ranch.

Check out Red Gold by Sandy Nadeau on www.barnesandnoble.com www.pelicanbookgroup.com or www.amazon.com and you can find more real life stories of our Colorado adventures on my blog: www.SandyNadeau.blogspot.com

I'm also on Facebook, Sandy Nadeau, author   and Twitter @SandyNadeauCO  and my website is www.SandyNadeau.com

Go find some adventures. Life is full of them!

Sandy Nadeau loves to go on adventures, photograph them and equally loves to write about them. She and her husband do a lot of four-wheeling in the back country of Colorado and share those experiences with others by taking them up in the mountains. With a background in writing a column about her community for a local newspaper, she also has had several magazine articles published. She loves to write novels about adventure, mystery, romance, but most importantly sharing God’s love. She is currently a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers and Vice President of the ACFW South Denver Chapter. Married for 37 years, she and her husband are loving life as grandparents to their nine month old grandson. Travel is their favorite thing to do and they don’t get to do it as often as they’d like. Adventure awaits around every corner, over every hill and mountain.