Susannah B. Lewis has always been a storyteller. Stories were woven throughout her life from an early age, from bedtime tales to conversations shared around the dinner table, instilling a love for the craft. But an experience at 8 years old solidified her dream of becoming an author.
She had checked out “The Trouble with Tuck” from her elementary school library. She recalls laughing and crying as she read.
As tears stained the pages, Lewis realized she wanted to create the same art that had moved her so much. The next day, she scribbled a story on notebook paper, drew an accompanying cover with stick figure people, stapled the pages together and proudly presented her first book.
The childhood dream eventually moved beyond notebook pages. A literary agent discovered Lewis nearly three decades later, after a few of her Facebook videos went viral, landing her first book deal. Now, Lewis has written and published 10 books, both independently and with Thomas Nelson.
Southern humor and heartfelt faith shape each book from the Tennessee native, who believes “laughter is a blessing from God, and it is wonderful medicine.”
Humor, along with stories, filled Lewis’ home growing up. She recounts her family’s wit, saying she was surrounded by funny people.
“Humor has always just naturally come out in what I do. I love making people laugh, but I also love the way laughter can open the door to deeper conversations. Sometimes people will listen to a hard truth if you can make them laugh first,” Lewis shares.
Those deeper conversations often center around Lewis’ faith. The author says the Lord has been present in every part of her story.
“I have walked through some deep valleys in my life, including the loss of my parents and infertility, and in those valleys, the Lord has shown up again and again. He has been my source of comfort, my source of strength, and my hope. He has been so good to me that I simply cannot help but tell other people about Him.”
Beyond books—which Lewis always has ideas for—the humorist and writer dreams of encouraging others in their faith on her 90-acre farm in West Tennessee.
Lewis describes wildflower fields that surround her home. As she has grown in her relationship with God, she has continued to see a deeper meaning in the wildflowers that blossom across the acres.
“Gardening is filled with biblical imagery—sowing, reaping, planting, harvesting, and the fruit of our labor,” Lewis says. “In fact, Scripture begins in a garden. When I look at these wildflowers growing on our property, I think about how much God cares for His creation.”
Lewis references Luke 12, which describes how God cares for wildflowers and encourages believers that He cares even more for them.
She explains, “That thought has given me a dream and a vision to eventually open our wildflower field to the public—not simply as a place where people can come and cut a bouquet, but as a place where they can encounter God’s creation and be reminded of His love for them.”
Lewis also wants to build a space among the wildflowers for Bible studies, worship and prayer—a place of ministry and fellowship where people remember how much God cares for them.
While that dream takes shape, readers can connect with Lewis on social media, where she shares Bible studies and funny videos about everyday life.
For readers new to her books, Lewis recommends starting with her nonfiction titles for an introduction to her story: “Can’t Make This Stuff Up” and “How May I Offend You Today?” She also says “Bless Your Heart, Rae Sutton” is one of her fiction favorites. All of her books are available on Amazon.
Lewis will also bring her humor and spiritual wisdom to the Capitol Theatre on May 4 for the second annual Well Woman Collective conference.
When I look at these wildflowers growing on our property, I think about how much God cares for His creation.