CALLUM'S COMPASS - Sara L Foust - One Free Book

Welcome, Sara. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.

Oh man, I think each of my female characters has some little piece of me in them. Maybe a past fear or doubt or a career I find interesting. I try to put myself in their shoes when I am writing an emotional reaction scene, using my past experiences with that particular emotion to help create authenticity for the scene.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?

This is hard! I don’t feel like I’m a very quirky person (my hubs may disagree ha!). I’m usually a planner and so quirky isn’t really my go-to nature. I do have some quirky pet peeves, though. I don’t like the sound of liquids being poured (I know, weird) and I do not like the feel of slime (which my kids think is hilarious). Oh! I did call in sick to work one time to go to a kissing contest sponsored by a local radio station. Actually, my husband called in sick too. And we won the concert tickets! That’s pretty quirky, I guess.

That sounds like fun. When did you first discover that you were a writer?

I wrote my first story before kindergarten. I brought my mom a purple note pad and said, “You write. I draw the pictures.” Then in second grade I won an award for a story I wrote, “My Amaginary Friend.” It was that moment I knew I wanted to write.

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.

I will pretty much read anything. I love Zane Grey westerns, Robert Morgan’s Appalachian fiction, Kelly Irvin’s contemporary Amish fiction. As long as it isn’t a book that’s too graphic or full of curse words, I will try it.

How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?

Lots and lots and lots of prayer. I try to study in God’s word each morning while my coffee is making and that helps me start my days out calmly and in meditation. My mom also notices that I sigh a lot, and I guess that must be my way of expelling extra stress throughout the day haha!

How do you choose your characters’ names?

My character’s names are usually ones that have connotations in my mind toward the personality traits I want them to display. In Callum’s Compass, Kat is my heroine, and to me the name Kat says, “Adventurer.” Ryan is the hero, and to me that says, “Strong and a little goofy.” Of course, everyone has different associations with names, and may not feel the same connotations I do. But it works for me.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

I’ve dreamed of finishing a novel and seeing it in print since that second grade award. So holding my book in my hands for the first time and seeing my name on the cover was extremely gratifying.

If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?

I’d have to say a dolphin. I could hold my breath forever and see the underwater world, then leap above the waves and play. And also still be considered an intelligent mammal.

What is your favorite food?

I have a hard time picking a favorite. I do love pizza. And Mexican.

What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?

My biggest roadblock was definitely self-doubt and fear. It was scary putting pieces of myself into the world for people to criticize. And in the early stages of getting those first critiques, not everyone was kind. I have a very supportive family, especially my cousin and best friend Becky and my husband. Neither of them would let me give up. Plus, I knew I felt I had been called to share God’s love through the written word, so giving up would be failing Him. And I have no desire to do that!

Tell us about the featured book.

Callum’s Compass is a story very near and dear to my heart. It is set in the East Tennessee mountains that I love, and in fact, in my hometown for a large portion of the book. It also has a treasure hunt, which is a huge part of my childhood and early adult life memories. My Uncle Jim used to set up treasure hunts for us on family vacations. One time he even buried gold coins on the beach and we had to use a metal detector to find them. It is also a story about love and the journey to accept God’s forgiving and unconditional love.

Please give us the first page of the book.

A persistent knock at the front door dragged Kat Williams awake. She rubbed her eyes and slipped a sweatshirt over her pajama top. Hadn’t she just fallen asleep? The past week was a blur. Visiting her neighbor Clayton at the hospital every day was taking its toll on her physically and emotionally.

She stumbled to the door and peeked through the curtain-covered glass. Clayton’s daughter stood with her back to the window, arms crossed over her chest.

Kat pulled the door open. “Nicole.”

“Can I come in?”

“Of course. How’s Clayton?”

Nicole slumped onto the couch and buried her face in her hands. “Dad’s dead. I can’t believe it.” Tears leaked around the fingers hiding her eyes. Kat’s golden retriever, Scout, put his head in her lap and licked her elbow, but Nicole didn’t seem to notice. “What am I going to do?”

Kat sat and rubbed her friend’s back, fighting her own tears. “I’m so sorry. Everything’s going to be okay, though.” Did she really believe that herself? A fist held her heart, squeezing until she couldn’t breathe. Clayton was such a good friend. He never judged Kat or asked too many questions about the burdens she carried. She could be herself with him, and she would miss that.

“No it’s not.” Nicole sniffled and jumped up, bashing Scout’s chin with her knee.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

My website is the best place: www.saralfoust.com. I have blog stories, author interviews, and devotionals there. As well as my newsletter sign-up. I’d love to have some more subscribers. And, when you sign up, you will receive a free digital scrapbook detailing some of the real-life locations that inspired scenes in Callum’s Compass! Readers can also find me on Facebook, Twitter, and, of course, Amazon!

Facebook:   https://www.facebook.com/SaraLFoust/

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/Sfoust25

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/saralfoust

Thank you, Sara, for sharing this book with us. I’m eager to read it.

Readers, here are links to the book.

Callum's Compass: Love, Hope, and Faith Series - Paperback
Callum's Compass: Love, Hope, and Faith Series - Kindle

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