Interview with Sarah Hamaker

You’re an author, a podcaster and a coach (to writers, speakers and parents) - how do you balance all of that, plus your other commitments as a wife and mom?

Very carefully! Seriously, though, I’m a highly organized person by nature, which is a blessing and a curse, as I can get a little too attached to my to-do lists. I batch tasks, like every Wednesday, I schedule my social media posts, to work smarter. I always plan my week on Sundays and prioritize tasks, so I know what I have to do and what I’d like to do. But my secret weapon is building margin into my week—I always expect something will derail me in some way, either minor or major, and I have some extra time already earmarked for life’s unexpected things.

Tell us about your latest release.

Book one in my new Seeking Justice series releases May 15. Justice Delayed is a story about hope, redemption and forgiveness. The book’s tagline is: After serving her time, a convicted murderer tries to clear her name with the help of a washed-up investigative reporter.


How did it feel when The Dark Guest won not only one - but two - Selah Awards?

Thrilling! I actually didn’t even realize I’d won the Fiction Book of the Year as I wasn’t attending in person and had no idea the books that won their categories would be eligible for book of the year. I’d logged off of the online awards so I could share about my category win, and then got a text from my writer friend, Tammy Renich, who was attending the conference and had agreed to pick up the plaque if I won. She said she didn’t realize she’d have to go up twice!

When did you know you wanted to be a writer?

Since I was a kid, I’ve always loved stories and wrote several during my childhood and teen years. It wasn’t until I was an adult with a couple of kids of my own that I decided it was high time I actually completed a novel.

What was your favorite book as a child?

I read way too many books to have a single favorite, but I devoured Nancy Drew (I really liked the original 1930s/40s versions with their frocks and roadsters), Trixie Belden, the Happy Hollisters, and other mysteries.

How important is it to you that you weave your faith into your stories?

That’s an interesting question, as I don’t know how I could not weave faith into my stories. My main characters are Christians who struggle with problems and their faith at times like we do in the real world, so it feels very natural to write about their faith. I like to show how they tackle subjects like forgiveness, hope, redemption, evil, bad things happening to good people, etc., to give a glimpse as to how God works in our lives.

How would you say your writing style differs from other Christian suspense authors?

I’m probably more of a mystery-suspense writer than a thriller-suspense writer. I don’t often have law enforcement as my hero or heroine, and my hero/heroines aren’t in constant, life-threatening danger. I like to cloak my villain’s identity and leave clues so the reader is guessing until the very end (if I’ve done a good job) as to who the villain is and why they did what they did.

Are you a plotter or a pantser? What does a typical writing day look like for you?

Panster with a little plotting. My brain doesn’t like to plot—I’ve tried it many times in many different formats and found I simply don’t know where the story will take me. I start with a basic story idea and know the central mystery that will need solving but not always who is the villain or sometimes even why he or she is behind everything. That comes as I’m writing the story.

What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

I’m a little obsessed with two things—drinking Harney & Sons hot tea (my favorites include Scottish Morn and decaf Earl Grey) and watching British crime shows on BritBox or Acorn with a cat on my lap. That’s my favorite thing to do to unwind in the evenings.

What is your biggest challenge in writing fiction? And what is your biggest joy?

My biggest challenge is consistent writing time. I started a new part-time job last fall, which changed my schedule enough that I’ve had to find a new time to write. But I’m making it work! For me, joy comes in hearing from readers something I wrote touched their hearts—it could be one of my books or a card I send to newsletter subscribers who want to be part of my Encouragement Club.

When things get tough, what is it that motivates you to keep going?

My certainty that God has called me to write romantic suspense novels. He’s given me these stories to tell, and it’s up to me to press on through discouragements and seasons of life where writing isn’t as easy as at other times. I’m also learning to accept that what I had planned for the day isn’t necessarily what God has planned for me to do that day. It’s a work in progress to be thankful for the derailments I hadn’t expected or wanted, but my heart is the better for remembering whatever comes my way, it’s for my good and God’s glory.

Do you have any advice for up-and-coming Christian suspense authors?

Write, write, write. And read, read, read your genre (among other books). Complete your first novel before moving onto the next shiny idea (and there will always be a new idea that sounds better than the one you’re writing). That’s the hardest thing about writing—making yourself finish what you’ve started. But it usually gets easier to write the next

Tell us what we can look forward to from you next!

I’m hard at work writing Justice Denied, book two in my Seeking Justice series.


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Edwina Kiernan is the Christian author of eight novels, four of which are award-winning. She is a committed follower of Jesus (the Living Word), and endeavors to use her pen to point others to Him.

When she’s not writing, Edwina loves spending time with her dashing husband and lively little son, reading and studying the Bible, getting lost in a captivating novel and drinking more types of tea than most people realize even exist.