Michelle Sutton is a woman with unbelievable energy, from wife to mother, writer to CFOM editor-in-chief, social worker to ACFW Volunteer Officer, blogger and reviewer – the list goes on!

With her debut release, It’s Not About Me, in stores now, Michelle has been busier than ever.

So I really appreciated her finding the time to answer my interview questions!

Here’s Michelle ~ enjoy!

If you could have chosen your own name, what would it be?

I haven’t a clue. Maybe something French like my middle name, which is Therese.

Your first pet’s name?

Benjina (she looked like the dog Benji in the movies but was a girl dog).

Your best friend’s name in primary (elementary) school?

In Kindergarten through second grade it was Jennifer and Sherry. From 3^rd grade to middle school it was Priscilla.

Did you have a special toy that went everywhere with you when you were young? Please describe.

Yep. Had a stuffed dog named Spot (SO not original, I know). I used to drag him around on a leash until his white fur turned gray.

If you could meet a famous person, who would it be?

I haven’t a clue. I guess since we all put our pants on the same way I don’t have anyone I am truly dying to meet.

If you were stranded on a desert island what one object would you want with you? (Besides your Bible of course)

A crate of books? (Crate is one thing, right? LOL!)

What’s your favourite ice cream flavour?

Mint chocolate chip.

When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

Honestly? I wanted to be a full time mom like Laura Ingalls Wilder’s mom on Little House on the Prairie.

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?

An exotic island in the Caribbean like Martinique.

Besides God, who has influenced you the most?

My mother.

What’s your favourite book?

LOL! Impossible to choose. I’d say whatever book I’m currently obsessing over fits.

What part of your daily routine do you enjoy most?

Sleeping!

What’s your favourite movie?

Probably Charlotte Gray. I love WWII flicks and history.

Where’s the most interesting place you have been?

Inside the Merrimac Caverns or hanging out at Niagara Falls.

What’s your most fervent prayer?

That God would use me to do something of eternal significance in this life.

What’s the bravest thing you’ve ever done?

Wrote several books and exposed my heart to my readers.

What gift have you received that you will always treasure?

My sons.

What is your favourite Bible verse (or “one” of your favourites) and what does it mean to you?

Romans 8:11-13…. The gist is that the same spirit that raised Christ from the dead lives in me and therefore I must put to death the deeds of the flesh in order to truly live.

What was your most embarrassing moment in High School?

Can’t think of anything.

How did your husband propose to you?

He just asked. And he gave me some mustard seed earrings. Long story, but the short version is that he said God planted a seed of love in his heart for me and that is what the earrings stood for.

What was the best advice you received on marriage before you were married?

Don’t marry a man who hates his mother.

It’s Not About Me

How did this story come to be?

It was an offshoot of another story and actually the third book in a series.

We have chatted a lot about the “sensuality” in your story. Please share your reasons for your direct approach on physical attraction, teen sex, pornography, etc.

I’ve worked with youth for over 20 years and frankly they need a lot to hold their attention and it has to be interesting. What could possibly be more interesting for a female reader than reading about a young woman who is being pressured by her boyfriend. And how does she feel about it? Unfortunately I have known kids who have had sex as early as 11 or 12, so the fact that all of my characters are still virgins at the ages of 19 and 23 is pretty unbelievable this day in age, but that’s why the temptation theme works for them. They haven’t really done anything “bad” before. And frankly, I was pretty stupid as a teen and made my share of mistakes, so I thought I’d share a bit of insight from what I’d learned.

What was your favourite scene to write?

The first kiss Annie shares with Dan. It involves a yummy dessert, but that’s all I’m saying. My second favorite is when Tony finds out.

What do you hope readers take away from this story?

That there is a difference between real love and infatuation. And that God’s opinion matters, but only if He matters to you. Being “good” is never enough. You have to have a relationship with the living God for it to count.

What is in your writing pipeline? A sneak peek?

Susie’s story, of course. I love to take the bad girls and redeem them in the next book. Thanks Michelle for your time and energy 🙂 I’ll be following your writing exploits with interest!

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