Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve published one book for adults and also write for children as Susan Uhlig where I’ve had five picture books and seven readers published. I also write for magazines under both pen names depending whether I’m writing for children or adults.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My lastest book is called ALONE. Several things inspired it–my love for reading, imagining how hard it is for celebrities to meet people on a normal basis, and moving to Colorado.
When I was a teen, I fell in love with romantic suspense books. I liked smart female heroines in dangerous situations, imperfect heroes, and tension and suspense. Since that time the inspirational fiction market has become really strong, and I decided to share my faith as those books do. I hope my story would meet the approval of that teen self.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Sometimes I write at my standing desktop computer. My cat likes it best when I sit in the recliner, put a blanket on my lap, and put my feet up so there is room for him too.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
So many! Mary Stewart, DE Stevenson, Bodie Thoene, Victoria Holt, Jan Karon, Dee Henderson, Francine Rivers, Janette Oke, Connie Willis. And then there’s a whole slew of fantasy and sci-fi writers and children’s lit writers.
What are you working on now?
A YA novel in verse.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I feel like I’m still learning this one.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Read, read, read what you want to write. And not just the old favorites, but new books in the genre. Take classes, workshops, go to conferences and retreats where you can learn about your genre and connect with other writers and with editors and agents. I got my adult novel published because of word of mouth from another writer. If I’d stayed in my house, I wouldn’t have met her. Get in a critique group. Keep writing!
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Talent is way down on the list of things you need to write; it comes in a distant fourth, after persistence, motivation, and discipline. And the reason is that “talent” is as common as mud; what’s rare is the motivation to sit down and actually do something with it, the discipline to do it regularly, and the persistence to stick with it until it’s finished. – Patricia Wrede
What are you reading now?
I just finished THE SUMMER BEFORE THE WAR by Helen Simonson.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Keep writing, keep submitting, keep learning from other writing professionals, and have fun.
What is your favorite book of all time?
Oh, my gosh! Just one? I don’t think I can say. I keep rereading so many great books–most of Mary Stewart’s. Tamora Pierce’s Bekah Cooper books and Protector of the Small series, L.E. Modesitt Jr’s Recluse series (and related series). If you saw how many books we have, you’d see why it is hard to pick one.
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