Author Q&A: Paula Scott

Today we're interviewing Paula Scott, who writes historical romance, women’s fiction, and memoirs.

Scott is the bestselling author of a half dozen novels and her inspiring memoir, Farming Grace. She has a background in journalism and lives with her husband and children in California.

SADYE: Tell us something about your writing process that’s unusual or that you haven’t revealed before.

PAULA: I often cry when I write. I have sobbed my way through finishing my books. It’s so hard and yet so fulfilling.

I write with a box of Kleenex beside my computer. I’ve never revealed this before because it’s embarrassing.

SADYE: Which of your characters would you most and least like to trade places with?

PAULA: I’d like to live in Rachel’s shoes as she falls in love in a time of war in my debut novel, Until the Day Breaks.

Plus, Roman is probably my favorite hero, he’s so broken and yet so strong. And he would die for those he loves. He falls hard for Rachel even though he wants to hate her.

The heroine I’d least like to trade places with is Maria in my second book, Far Side of the Sea. She’s headstrong and spoiled and puts herself through a lot of needless pain before surrendering to a love that will save her. 

SADYE: What have been the most surprising, rewarding, and challenging parts of your writing career?

PAULA: Balancing writing and raising kids is the most challenging part of my career.

The most rewarding part of my career is typing The End and then going out and connecting with readers. Without readers, writing wouldn’t be nearly as rewarding. I adore my readers!

The most surprising part of my writing career is that I’ve become a bestselling author. I really thought readers wouldn’t like my first book, Until the Day Breaks.

And I was shocked that my memoir, Farming Grace, rocketed to the top of new releases and went on to become a bestseller as well.

Writing and releasing a memoir scared the heck out of me. But it was by far my most rewarding book to pen.

I still get emails thanking me for writing it, people saying it brought them some healing in their own lives, which is humbling and so surprising.

SADYE: What has been the most touching or memorable piece of reader feedback you’ve received?

PAULA: A number of readers have written to tell me they returned to church after reading one of my books. That they have hope again. And want to have faith again. 

SADYE: What experience in your past or general aspect of your life has most affected your writing?

PAULA: Raising kids has most affected my writing.

I have seven children and gave birth one by one over a twenty-year span. I spent years sitting on the couch working on my books while watching movies with my children.

I’m still raising kids. As I type this, I’m listening to my youngest son play a video game with his friends. I’ve had to learn to write in the midst of my wild crazy mom life.

I’ve written in my car waiting in line to pick my kids up from school. I’ve written in the hospital waiting for my child to get well. I’ve written with a sleeping baby strapped to my chest for months on end.

I’ve read research books at football games when my sons weren’t on the field. As soon as they ran into the game, I took a break and watched my boys, but if they were on the bench, I was doing research for my next novel.

My question would be to any writer, how bad do you want it? How hard are you willing to work to achieve your author dreams? Make sure you count the cost. Achieving something great always takes great sacrifice.

My biggest struggle as an author has been — and still very much is — how much am I willing to give up in my mom life to get that next novel tucked into my readers’ hands? 

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Learn more about Paula Scott on her website, where her books can also be purchased; like her page on Facebook; and follow her on Instagram. 

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