Saundra McFarland Interview Part I

Today is Part I of my interview with poet Saundra McFarland. She is a Christian poet with two published books. Now for the interview. (Saundra's response is in bold.)

1. Can you share with us a little about yourself?

I am forty years old and raised in Tennessee. I married the love of my life, Anthony McFarland, at the age of 19. I moved to Kentucky, and began working. After our daughter Laura Beth came along I quit working and became a stay at home mom. I stayed home until she was nine, until Anthony became disabled and could no longer work. I worked several jobs over the years, one day after so much stress from working in a nursing home I prayed for God to please give me a new place of employment. God granted my prayer, I started a new job on our daughter's birthday. Anthony and I will celebrate our 21st anniversary in March. Our daughter Laura will graduate from High School this year and turn 18 at the same time.

2. You began writing - Material Things Don't Matter - after your mom passed away. Did you find writing your poetry difficult at that time or therapeutic?

After my mom passed away my whole life changed. I was so filled with grief that I really didn't know what to do. I would wake up with the void and empty spot in my heart. I had just faced so many obstacles after her death that we were completely lost. After doctors told us that Anthony may have Multiple Sclerosis I completely fell apart. That is when my faith became so small. Then I prayed for God to take control of everything. There was nothing that I could do. I prayed for Him to give me a job to do to take my focus off of my grief and worry. Soon I begin writing the poetry and it was such a great therapy. I was able to release all my feelings into my writing. I was able to express my overwhelming grief. I got to write for God. He used my sorrow to bring me to where He needed me to be. It was difficult writing some of the poetry, but it helped me heal. I cried many tears when I would read the poems, but it was a good release to cry. After I turned everything over to God on Dec.16,2004 my husband was found not to have MS and everything else fell into place.

3. How is your second book - Good News Jesus Loves You - different from
your first book?

Material Things Don't Matter is like my first baby but Good News Jesus Loves You is the message that I want to tell the world. That Jesus died for everyone. That He loves us no matter what. When everyone else thinks we are a lost cause, Jesus wants us to know that He loves us so much. I want to spend the rest of my life telling others about Jesus.

4. You have been writing since an early age. Did your writing change or
evolve when you began writing your first book?

Brian, I began writing poetry when I was fourteen years old. It helped me express myself even then. I would write about lost love, feelings of abandonment felt by not having my dad around. I wrote many positive items. In later years I had completely drifted away from writing, unless I was dealing with major issues in my life. After mom passed away, I came across one of the poems I wrote for her. It was a Christian poem and she loved it. I let God lead me and He gave me so many words to write down, to bring praise and glory to His name. I was totally amazed. I know God gave me the talent to write, and now He is using that talent to reach the lost.

5. Your poetry has been well received by readers. Did you have any
reservations prior too publishing your first book?

Yes, because there are many who do not like Christian books. I have found that you will have some that love the material, and others who are very critical of your writing. I feel that if I am satisfied it is okay. I accomplished a dream of being published with God's help.

Come back tomorrow for Part II of this interview. Saundra answers questions about publishing, writing with inspiration and passion, and an example of her work. Also, everyone that comments on this interview, either today or tomorrow, will be entered to win a free copy of her book - Good News Jesus Loves You.