Interview with
Susan Allen-Foster

You just never know what surprises each day will bring and who will
email you. An example is how I found out about Susan, an author of Christian children's books. Her publisher (Master Enterprises) contacted me because they found my web site and thought I might enjoy Susan’s new children’s book, "Freckle Fairy Fran." I had a peak at her cute children’s story and enjoyed the positive message for youngsters plus colorful illustrations depicting a redhead little girl with freckles. So naturally I had to interview Susan to pick her brain on how this all came about!

Well, it turns out she’s just not your average author. Susan has had some rough challenges physically -- obstacles that could have prevented her from pursuing a dream she had. But her faith in God and positive outlook have opened up a new chapter in her life through her love of writing. Seeing a niche she felt drawn to, she’s embarked on writing Christian stories for children. In spite of circumstances that could have defeated her, she has persevered and doors are opening up for her to share her stories. So, if you'd like to find out more about this wonderful lady,
have a seat, relax with a cool drink -- and on to her interview....

1) Hello Susan... Thank you again for agreeing to the interview! Please briefly tell us about your family and where you were born. How did you end up in beautiful Virginia?

Actually, I am born and raised right here in Hampton, VA. I live on the Southeast coast just moments away from the Chesapeake Bay and the James River. It's a beautiful place to live that is rich in heritage painted with beautiful landscapes to include a breathtaking sunrise and sunset each day.

I am the youngest daughter of Claude and Myrtle Allen of Hampton, VA. I have two older sisters, Donna and Lori; my precious niece, Alyssa Anne; and my husband, Brent Foster. We are the proud parents of four "furry" felines, 3 of which are rescues that we hand raised. Our cat "Shiloh" (the only cat purchased and not a rescue) is the cat portrayed in my first release, "Shiloh Kitty Puss & Miguel the Mouse." He is an Asian lap leopard.

2) I understand you began writing in grade school, and then later shared your stories to the residents in the assisted-living facility where you had worked. What types of stories do you enjoy writing and why?

I won my first award for writing a paper on geography (although it's my least favorite subject...ha ha) in the 6th grade. English class was always the highlight of my day. I wrote for my High School newspaper staff for four years at Bethel High School in Hampton. I began writing children's stories about 20 years ago. The elderly and children have always held a special place in my heart. "Once a man twice a child" is so true. I found that "being young at heart" is really what adds life to your years.

Writing children's stories brings me great pleasure because I feel that it is what my purpose is in life. I wanted children of my own, but that never happened for me. I do have a 7-year-old niece, Alyssa Anne, and once she was born I REALLY began to write again. I wanted her to have a legacy one day that would be a tangible object giving her a glimpse into her "Auntie's" heart.

3) What age groups do you write for?

Typically my stories are for ages 3-10. That's a broad range I know, but the life lessons that are taught in each book can be received by young and old alike.

4) Your latest book, "Freckle Fairy Fran" is about a freckle-faced redhead girl who gets teased. Of course I have to ask why you chose a character with FRECKLES?

Well, 20 years ago, I was sitting with a young girl who had freckles. She asked me where they came from and this story just came to me in an instant. I quickly went home and wrote it down and have read it to many, many people over the years. Not to mention, that I too have freckles and it was just a creative way to allow children to realize that their freckles really are "nothing less than a blessing".

5) How did you hook up with your illustrator for the book?

That is totally a GOD THING. The illustrator, Marcia Pyner, is a personal friend of my husband's family. When I felt God's timing was right to pursue publication, I had to have an illustrator. Marcia has a Master's Degree in Art and her illustrations have far exceeded what I ever could have imagined my books would become. Her attention to detail and her talent are unmeasured by any current Christian Children's Books I see in the bookstores.

The ironic twist to this story is that Marcia and I have never met personally. I feel as if I have known her my entire life. We talk often but have yet to see one another face to face. Never once have I thought, "I wish she had done this differently". She has the unique ability to take my words and visualize exactly what I am looking for. She has been a true blessing to me and she inspires me every day that I see my books placed carefully across my fireplace mantle. (Of note, my niece Alyssa is portrayed as one of the little girls in "Freckle Fairy Fran" and I’m portrayed as the Mother.)

6) Since you are not a redhead yourself, were there any redheads in your own family?

Oh yes! Lots of red heads in my family. Too many to count..... great aunts, cousins and my mother and my sisters and I have reddish natural highlights in our hair. It's definitely a strong trait in our gene pool!

7) You’ve recently had some challenging physical trials, especially with your MS diagnosis and then spinal meningitis complications. How has your relationship with God helped you through all of this?

I was diagnosed with MS (multiple sclerosis) in 2001. That was a VERY hard thing to accept. Life as I had always known it was now about to change. I had to make the decision to accept that diagnosis and remember that I had to "walk by faith" and trust in the God who made me. God asked us to "have the faith of a mustard seed"......now that's not asking much. What most people forget is that TRUE faith is believing in what we CANNOT see. I like to think that the trials and tribulations I have faced are all tools that the Lord has used to help make me who I am today.

I choose daily not to focus on the bad things that happen to me or the challenges I face. I live in the moment because that's all God's promises anyway! I focus on what I CAN do and generally that involves helping others whether that be through prayer, the books, or going to someone's bedside to pray with them. Focusing on my ABILITIES glorifies God for giving me grace and mercy each day of my life. God promises He will "meet us where we stand", and praise God for me that He does that every day.

8) I understand you had a dream in which God gave you a promise regarding children....are you able to share any of this with us?

I'm happy to share this with you, it's one of the greatest parts of my testimony. In June 2006, I became critically ill with viral spinal meningitis. For 7 days and 7 nights, the hospital could not control the vomiting. I had an unheard-of complication in that I had a massive liver hemorrhage that doctors said could ultimately take my life that night. They could not operate to stop the bleeding due to my weakened condition. We had to wait and see if I would stop bleeding on my own, for this would be my only chance of survival. I only remember opening my eyes one time over the next 4 days as I slipped into what was called a "semi-coma" and my fever went to over 105 degrees. I saw a doctor at the foot of my bed and I heard him say to my Mother and Husband, "This is not good. This is a potentially deadly complication and her chances of surviving the night are about 10%".

I spent the next 21 days in the Intensive Care Unit where I then experienced a collapsed lung and pneumonia. Clearly God was the other 90% of the odds for survival! For the following 9 months, I had to "reabsorb" a hematoma the size of a football according to my physicians. It was a long process; I was very weak for about a year.

I began to wonder why was I left alive? I had been sick most of my life with one thing or another, why didn't God take me when He had the chance? I was so sick and tired of being sick and tired. I had to have a total hysterectomy, so my dream of being a Mother was gone. Depression consumed me because my thought was, "like my life wasn't already hard enough without all of this." So one day I literally CRIED out to God and asked Him those very questions. I had a dream that night......

I was a child, kneeling by a small bed. There was a light that shined down right upon the top of my head. I was on my knees with my hands cupped, head bowed, eyes closed.......it was then, in an instant, that I clearly heard the Lord say, "If you will write for ME, I will give you MANY children".

My life has never been the same. I realized that I had a divine purpose in life and that was to write for God's little children. I have been blessed by that vision, far more than I could ever put into words.

9) You’ve turned difficult circumstances into a blessing to help others with your writing. What advice would you like to share with my readers who may be going through similar trials now?

Never give up! We're all here for a divine purpose. Part of the wonderful journey of life is discovering all of the ways you can overcome your obstacles by taking the focus off of yourself. I have found that my entire life changed the day I realized my life really had very little to do with ME as an individual. Helping others, focusing on your own talents, and using them for the benefit of others is the key to finding true JOY in heart. When you wake with a joyful heart, there isn't much in this life you can't accomplish.

10) So, what’s next for you? Any books or other interesting writing projects down the road?

We have four books total under contract for release in 2010-2011:

"Dottie the Doubtful Dragonfly" will be released in mid 2011.
(The last two are estimated release dates). I have more stories that I have written and pray that somewhere down the road I'll be able to share those with children around the world as well.

11) What advice can you give to budding authors about starting this whole process of printing their work and finding a publisher?

My advice would be to purchase a copy of the "Writer’s Digest" every couple of months from your local bookstore. It’s imperative that you have an agent to act on your behalf. Large publishing houses will NOT work directly with you as an individual. You don’t have to have an illustrator; oftentimes a publishing house prefers you use their illustrators.

BEWARE of self-publishing. Unless you just want to be able to "see" your work in a book and that’s your only purpose…self-publishing is very expensive and you are left to do all of the promoting and selling yourself. I’ll be honest – the children’s publishing industry is one of the hardest to succeed at. BUT I never give up! It took me 23 years for just the right opportunity to be published. I am living proof that DREAMS REALLY DO COME TRUE!

......'THE END'......

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Hmmm... this interview left me with a lot to ponder -- being thankful for what I have and CAN do, watching out for divine opportunities that I may not have seen before, and trusting God every moment....for a starter. What about you?

Thanks again Susan for opening up your life to us. I appreciate your honesty and sharing with us!

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