Hi everyone! Due to a blog hop last week, I had to postpone my coffee date until today. For those visiting for the first time, every fourth Friday of the month I open up my blog to questions from my readers. I have two questions leftover from last month, so here we go!

Robert asks: “Who (or which authors) inspired you to become an author?”

Hmmm, I never thought about being an author until they day I walked into a Christian bookstore and asked to see their fantasy section (stop laughing!). So you could say it was the lack of speculative fiction that inspired me to write 😉

However, there are a few authors that I love and looking back, are probably the biggest reason I write what I do. The first one is J.R.R. Tolkien.

My dad introduced me to The Hobbit at a young age. By the time I entered my senior year in high school, I had read through The Hobbit, the Lord of the Rings, and the Silmarillion at least three times. I loved the world Tolkien created, especially how he wove myths from our world into his world (I based my senior writing project on this very subject).

Later on, I discovered Terry Brooks and a whole new fantasy world to explore. I loved the adventures and world-building, but I also enjoyed his character development. Characters didn’t just go on journeys, they changed, matured, and sacrificed. That hit home for me.

Lastly, my work has been compared to Terry Goodkind’s Sword of Truth series. I’ve read the first book and have to agree. Neither of us write about fantasy creatures like dragons, orcs, or elves. Rather, we focus on people with power and how it changes the world.

Thanks for asking, Robert!

Lesley asks: “How do you balance it all–family, being a wife, personal time, writing (your job)?”

I decided when I started writing almost ten years ago that my family came first. Writing would always be there, but they would not. Of course, that means it takes me longer to put out a book, but I haven’t missed a moment with my kids or husband.

I write everyday, four days a week. My goal is 500 words a day, but usually I can write more than that. Friday is date day with my husband and nights and weekends are for my kids. Of course, when a deadline approaches or the edits come back with a two-week turnaround, I have to put in the hours, but my family knows I’ll be back when I’m done.

Great question, Lesley!

Feel free to leave any questions you have in the comments below and I’ll be happy to answer them next month during my coffee date Friday!

Now, for the winner of the Fall into Book Blog Hop!

Drum roll please…

Ryebrynn! You are the winner of the kindle copy of A Time to Die! Congratulations! I will be emailing you so we can get that book to you 🙂

And while I’m on it, today I am featured on Real Life & Character Romance where I share how I met my husband and give some hints into the romance blossoming between the assassin and scribe in my Follower of the Word series. Haven’t read my books yet or want to give a copy to a friend? Then head on over and comment for a chance to win a copy of either Daughter of Light or Son of Truth!

http://shannonvannatter.com/morgan-l-busse-real-life-character-romance

Thanks, everyone!