Sarah Sundin

Greetings from Sarah Sundin in California! I’ve just returned from an amazing weekend at West Coast Christian Writers Conference in Livermore, CA, and I’m feeling inspired! Today I have the joy of interviewing multi-published author Marsha Hubler, who has made a wonderful career combining her love of children and horses with her talent for writing.

Marsha, tell us about your latest book, Straight from the Horse’s Mouth: A 60-Day Devotional for Kids.

With two Bible verses and a challenge included, the young reader will learn about 60 different breeds of horses and at the same time learn how a Christian young person can live to please God as he/she reads a devotional every day for 60 days.

Marsha Hubler

What inspired you to write this book?

I have a passion to share the gospel in all my books so that my young readers know the truth that Jesus saves, and He can help everyone with any problem in their lives.

Why did you write this book?

Many children love horses but at the same time struggle with daily devotions. By including the history and interesting facts about 60 different breeds of horses and at the same time including facts about our wonderful Lord, I trust that the young reader will develop a daily habit of spending time with God.

Straight from the Horse’s Mouth, by Marsha Hubler

What surprised you the most during the research or writing of your book?

As an owner of horses for over 20 years, I was very surprised to learn that there are over 300 breeds of horses and that each breed has a God-given unique trait that makes them different from every other breed.

How do you share Christ in your writing?

In my 16 fiction books, the main character either comes to a saving knowledge of Christ or is a growing Christian who mentors others in their walk with God.

What would be your ideal writing place? And…what’s your actual writing place like?

My ideal writing place is where my actual writing place is. I use a laptop while I sit in my comfy lounge chair in my well-lit living room with my two furkids (dogs), Corey and Bailey, at my feet. I often play “elevator” music in the background while I peck away.

Sounds cozy! Why do you love writing?

I absolutely love the creative process, churning over in my mind the next scene or next section of the book. I marvel at our amazing, creative God and how he has imparted so many diverse talents to every one of His own.

What ministries are you involved in, and why?

I love serving God to the best of my ability, and there is great joy in serving others.

I’m the director of the Montrose Christian Writers Conference since 2015.

I sing in ladies’ groups at church and have been the church organist for the last 22 years.

I have regular Bible studies with several friends, two of whom I led to the Lord two years ago. I also edit the monthly newsletter for our local Child Evangelism organization.

Every March when my church has “Missions Month,” I host missionaries in my home if they need housing as they speak in our church.

You are a busy woman! Do you have a “day job” or a previous career? Does it influence what or how you write?

My previous career involved the following:

1. Teaching 3^rd grade in public school for 5 years, being the principal of Kreamer Christian Academy for 14 years, and being the administrator of the Bethesda Prep School, part of the Bethesda Day Treatment Center, that worked with conduct disordered kids, for 8 years.
2. Being a foster parent of 12 kids, mostly young teen girls, for 12 years.
3. (Present) Being a certified homeschool consultant and evaluator of children from grades one to twelfth grades.

All my many years of experience with kids of all ages and grades, academic levels, and social status have given me the background and knowledge to be able to write so many books involving kids and their “issues.”

Do you have pets and do they inspire your writing or hinder it?

I owned horses for 20 years, and I’ve always had one or two dogs since I was a child. They have inspired me to write 13 books with animals (mostly horses) having a large part of the story.

Tell us about your next project, Marsha.

I’m writing a tween novel, Tommi Pockets, a historical fiction about a fourteen-year-old girl who loves to shoot pool and dreams of becoming a billiard champion. However, Tommi Jo Leland, better known as “Pockets,” is growing up in an era when females were not welcomed in poolrooms, so she disguises herself as a boy to shoot at the local poolroom in Ashland, Pennsylvania. Because of her difficult family situation, poor performance in school, and lack of any friends at all, Pockets also runs with a local gang. When the gang is arrested, all the members are sent to reform school except Pockets, who is assigned counseling with Captain Arlene Masters at the local Salvation Army post.

“Captain Ar” is the first person who ever shows real love and concern for Pockets. Through a series of difficult circumstances, including Pockets’ mother moving to another state without her, Pockets finds that true love comes from God, and her life is changed forever.

Thank you for sharing with us, Marsha!

To learn more about Marsha’s books, please visit Marsha’s website and Marsha’s blog.

Writing for Him,

Sarah Sundin

Sarah’s website