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Click here to buy the book from the publisher
Click here to buy the book from Amazon
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Sandi Sumner:
One thing Sandi is known for is her optimism. This line says it all: "If there is no wind, row." April 23, 2008 -- Pikes Peak Courier View interview with the author by contributing writer Shauna Allison: "As a writer, Sandi Sumner has flown over the wilderness of Alaska, climbed to the highest peaks and been caught in the middle of mysteries, all from the seat of her armchair. Living vicariouslly through others is one of the perks that have come along with Sumner's job. Her ability to discover the world through the eyes of her characters has earned her acclaim as an author." Allison goes on to write, "Sumner has an uncanny way of living life to the fullest. . .It's hard to be discouraged around the woman with the contagious smile and heartfelt laugh." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ A lifelong writer, Sandi Sumner made a commitment in 1999 to write a book and have it published. Within a year, she wrote a fiction story about adoption that had long been burning inside her heart and mind. Since then she has become a published author, has written a mystery series filled with a mixed-bag of characters and lots of laughs. Two more stand-alone novels, and another nonfiction manuscript have kept her busy. Presently, she is developing a novel that came to her while she spent time in a car wash. "In other words, when the muse grabs hold of me, I have to write!" "While I waited for the soap and water, brushes and rubber flaps to clean all the mud off my Buick, an idea for a short story started brewing. . .like a pot of coffee. But now it's evolving into much more; a heart-rendering story of a family, a grandfather, and how they deal with Alzheimer's disease." The outgoing blond, is "addicted to writing," she says. "I write every day, sometimes in the morning with a hot cup of coffee nearby, or late at night whenI know I won't be able to sleep until I get my thoughts on paper. And not long ago, I managed to ignore the dentist and his drills, and those sharp little piks, because I kept thinking what would happen if the grandfather with Alzheimer's had to go to the dentist. It's not easy to laugh with the dentist's hands in your mouth!" "I write in my head when I'm driving down the highway listening to music, in the grocery line, cruising in our '35 Chevy Coupe, and at the airplort where I often observe people's behavior, appearance and mannerisms. In other words, I write! And I seek the company of other writers to help me be the best writer I can be, just like I did with my first completed manuscript in 1999." (Since moving to Colorado in June, 2006, she helped start a writer's group known as Writing Above the Clouds, because she was hungry to meet other writers. Feb. 23, 2008 this group will host an event called Writer's Reading. See What's Happening page for details.) Sandi Sumner knew when she set course for Alaska in 1994 that she wanted to pursue her writing full time. She arrived in Anchorage, July 24, 1994. Call it coincidence or fate, but July 24 is the anniversary of Amelia Earhart's birth. Apparently, Sumner was destined to write about women who fly airplanes. The Anchorage Daily News nicknamed Sumner an "Armchair Daredevil," a title she admits is a pretty accurate description. She said, "I'm never going to climb in the cockpit of an aerobatic plane and fly it upside down like Patti Wagstaff, or skydive out of a perfectly good airplane like Carol Redding, or mush dogs in the 1,049 mile Iditarod Race like pilot Diana Moroney, but it was great fun to meet women who live to do this very thing!" And meeting and writing about women who climb 20,320 foot Mt. McKinley, Alaska (Denali) and other mountains like Everest, Aconcagua, Kilimanjaro, K2 and Ama Dablam, Mt. Vinson -- to name a few -- is another great adventure for the ever-curious author who recently completed her second nonfiction book. Titled "It's All About The Journey", it tells the stories of 10 women climbers, their motivation and inner strength; their persistence; getting to know themself and others hunkered down in a snow cave at very high altitude in 100 mph winds; and the lessons they learn-- whether or not they reach the summit. Sumner explained, "It's not about wearing crampons and wielding an ice axe, tolerating minus 60 degrees below zero, or risking your life in a snowy whiteout. It's a book about the human spirit." This book promises to be every bit as inspiring as Sumner's book about pilots. (Click on the Photo page to view some awesome pics of women climbers, Mt. McKinley, and women pilots.) Sumner is a member of The Authors Guild, Mystery Writers of America, Inc., Pikes Peak Writers in Colorado, Willamette Writers in Oregon, Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers, Lake George, Colorado Book Club, Alaska Chapter of Ninety-Nines (Honorary Member), the Alaska Aviation Heritage Museum, and the Alaska Airmens Assn. She has also been a member of Soroptimist and Toastmasters International. And she was a "soccer mom" who coached her son Alan's team for five years. Food for thought: "Life is raw material. We are artisans. We can sculpt our existence into something beautiful, or debase it into ugliness. It's in our hands." --Cathy Better |
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Unless otherwise noted all material is copyright Sandi Sumner 2004,2005,2006,2007.
AlaskaWriter illustrations and site design copyright 2003, 2004
Sonya Senkowsky and AlaskaWriter LLC. All rights reserved.