Kim Vogel Sawyer is fond of C words like children, cats, and chocolate. Her compelling, bestselling stories provide not only entertainment, but also life-lessons her readers can use in their Christian walk. In her spare time, Kim enjoys drama, quilting, and calligraphy. Kim and her husband reside in Kansas, and have three daughters, five grandsons, and one granddaughter. 

Favorite Verse:  Philippians 4:4-9. - " Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus..."

 Our Interview with Kim Vogel Sawyer

What inspired the concept for Fields of Grace?

This particular story has been rolling around in the back of my mind for several years, inspired by my parents’ stories of their ancestors leaving their homelands across the ocean and journeying to America. Therefore it’s been a true delight to let these characters come to life. While the story isn’t biographical, it does represent well my personal family history, so it’s very special to me.

Is any part of Fields of Grace factual? 

There are many factual elements in this book. Mennonite Brethren (including my great-great-grandparents) came from Gnadenfeld, a Russian colony in Molotschna, in the early 1870s and settled Kansas lands. They brought with them the Turkey Red wheat that turned Kansas into America’s breadbasket. This story features not only the wheat, but the strong Mennonite faith of my forefathers. Readers who are familiar with the state will recognize several Kansas towns, some of which are now defunct.

How did you choose the location for the setting?

The story, rather than me, chose the setting. *smile* Many small communities in Kansas—Hesston, Goessel, Hillsboro, to name a few—started as Mennonite settlements. Kansas just “fit,” historically speaking.

How long did Fields of Grace take you to complete?

The actual writing took about three months. The research and “plotting” much, much longer.

What is the symbolism for the title Fields of Grace?

Gnadenfeld actually translates “field of grace.” The main character mourns having to leave her beloved village in Russia. The journey to America is fraught with conflict, and building a home in the unsettled land a tremendous challenge. These heartaches wear her down and make her question her faith—can she truly trust God to give her what she needs to survive? “Fields of grace” is something God bestows when we look to Him to meet our needs.

Do you have a favorite character in Fields of Grace? Why?

It’s difficult for me to choose a favorite in this story, but I suppose I would have to settle on Lillian. She’s so very human—questioning why hard things happen, yet wanting to be strong for her family. I admire her determination to create the sense of “home” for her sons in an unfamiliar land. She grew so much through the conflicts—and that’s what we all need to: let conflicts strengthen us rather than defeating us.

How much research did Fields of Grace take?

Every historical novel requires much research. This one took a bit more because of the travel from Russia to America—I wanted the ship voyage to be as realistic as possible. I almost got seasick writing it, so it became real to me! lol

What was the most interesting fact that you learned while writing Fields of Grace?

Little children were given the very important task of choosing the hardest, reddest kernels of wheat to bring to America for planting. Can you imagine a 6-year-old spending hours picking through a seed bin, selecting only the hardiest kernels? I found that fascinating.

Is this a stand alone book or the beginning of a series?

Fields of Grace is a stand-alone novel.

What are some of the challenges you face as an author?

Trying to keep a balance between reality and fantasy is one challenge. Another is finding the time to do everything that’s needed; while I’m writing one book, I’m helping market a previous release and thinking about the next one to be written… Writing is an exercise in multi-tasking, and the older I get, the more of a challenge this becomes! 

What aspects of being a writer do you enjoy the most?

I love every part of it (researching, writing, connecting with readers through speaking events or email exchanges…) except the marketing. Just isn’t my comfort zone. :o)

What is your writing style?   (Do you outline?  Write “by-the-seat-of-your-pants?   Or somewhere in between?)

 I am very much seat-of-the-pants. I’m as surprised as anyone else at how the story progresses. But I am fully in tune with my characters before I begin a book. That works well, because then they take over and tell me the story. I’m just the transcriber.

Do your characters begin to take on a life of their own as you write?

Oh, most definitely. They surprise me, make me cry and laugh…and the ones for the next story are constantly tapping me on the shoulder, asking, “When are you going to get to me?” Yes, I am all grown up and still have a host of imaginary friends. But it works for me!

What other new projects do you have on the horizon?  

I’m very excited to be branching into a new arena: young adult fiction. The Katy Lambright Series will release in February 2010 with Katy’s New World (an Old Order Mennonite teen attending public high school). The next historical will be A Hopeful Heart, which features a Kansas herdsman school (a place one where learns ranching skills) and its class of unique students. It’s a bit more light-hearted and humorous than some of my stories have been, which a much larger cast of characters, but I hope readers will enjoy meeting Aunt Hattie and all the others who reside in Barnett, Kansas.

Who was the person who influenced you the most with your writing?

It’s always very difficult to pinpoint ONE person, I’ve been blessed with so many wonderful people who have encouraged this writing journey: my parents, several teachers, fellow writers… But I have to say my biggest influencer is God, who planted the desire to write within me and made available the means to see the dream to reality.

What message would you like your readers to take from Fields of Grace? 

The message I garnered from the writing of this book is the difference between faith and trust. We can say, “Oh, yes, I have faith in God,” but do we really trust Him to meet our needs when everything seems to be falling apart? We all need to find that place of complete trust.

What is your goal or mission as a writer?

I made a promise when I began writing that I would never write anything that would embarrass my mother or that I would be embarrassed to have my daughters or former students read. Although that sounds humorous, it’s a springboard for my desire that every word that comes from my fingertips brings glory to my heavenly Father. My goal to is to point the reader to Him; to show the hope we possess when we rest in His capable, loving hands. I pray my stories always reflect the truth of who He is to us, and who we are to Him.

What do you do to get away from it all?

We just had the blessing of moving into a new house which looks over an open field. I love to sit on the back porch in the early morning, as the sun is peeking over the horizon, or in the evening, when the earth is starting to hush. That’s my God-and-me time in its purest sense. So peaceful…

 Don't Miss!

Kim Vogel Sawyer  |  Back to Top  |   Return to Author Store  |  Return to Fiction Home Page