Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Interview with Author Suzy Turner





Although Suzy is a Yorkshire lass at heart, she left her home town of Rotherham, UK, to move to Portugal with her family when she was ten.
The Algarve continues to be her home, where she lives with her childhood sweetheart and husband of 13 years, Michael, and their menagerie of dogs and cats.
Suzy's career began soon after completing her A levels when she was offered the position of trainee journalist for a local English newspaper. Her love of writing developed and a few years later she moved on to become assistant editor for the region's largest English language publisher. Since then she has also worked as the editor of one of the Algarve's most loved monthly lifestyle magazines. Early in 2010 however, she began her real journey as an author. Suzy writes both YA urban fantasy and chick lit.
Visit her website (http://suzyturner.com), read her blog (http://suzyturner.blogspot.com), find her on facebook (http://facebook.com/suzyturnerbooks), and follow her on twitter (http://twitter.com/suzy_turner).


Deirdra: What makes you passionate about writing?

Suzy: The idea that people are enjoying my stories. There's nothing more inspiring than getting a fabulous review from someone you don't know. It makes me want to continue to publish book after book.


Deirdra: What was the pathway like for you to get your first book published?
Suzy: Well, it started off in the usual way of trying to get an agent, but after after 20 rejection letters over a period of several long months I got fed up of waiting. A friend of a friend had self published his book on Amazon and suggested I do the same. Looking into it, I realised it wasn't as tough as I'd thought so that's what I did! If I hadn't, I might still be waiting for that elusive agent now!


Deirdra: Were you ever discouraged along the way? If so, how did you deal with it?
Suzy: Never. I've always believed in myself. Ever since I started working I've known that one day I'd be a published author.


Deirdra: What is your writing schedule like?

Suzy: I make myself write to deadlines. It's the only way I can work, otherwise I'd take far too long to get anything done. I start off by giving myself a date for the book to go out into the world and then I work out backwards how many words I need to write each week, and then break it down into days and then I sit down and get cracking.


Deirdra: Where do your ideas come from? How do you know the idea is good enough to write a book about it?
Suzy: I guess any idea is good enough... it's what you do with the idea that makes the difference. My ideas come in so many different guises. Places, music, dreams, people, newspaper articles! The Raven Saga came about after visiting western Canada. Now that is one inspiring place.


Deirdra: Can you tell us a little about your book Raven?

Suzy: Raven is about a young girl called Lilly who lives in a loveless environment with a father she never sees and a mother who isn't very motherly. When they disappear one day, she has to move to Canada to a family she didn't even know existed, leaving behind her one and only friend, December Moon. The moment she arrives in Powell River, she finds a loving family who dotes on her. But she also discovers some rather frightening secrets about them all... and about herself.

Deirdra: What do you hope readers will get from your book?

Suzy: I've had people read the book and tell me that their hearts ached for Lilly. That was an amazing comment and it meant I had achieved what I wanted to achieve. I'd produced a story that touched people. I hope people will also get a sense of the beauty in Powell River and the love that Lilly's family has for her and vice versa. And for Book II, I hope that people will be sitting on the edge of their seats wondering what's going to happen next!


Deirdra: How many beta readers review your manuscript before you send it to your editor?

Suzy: Because Raven was my first book to be published, I had five friends (four of which have been in the publishing / editing business) to read it for me. I didn't have an editor but for December Moon, I had one beta reader (a school teacher!) and I hired an editor.


Deirdra: Do you need absolute quiet to write? Do you listen to music when you are writing?
Suzy: I either write to music or silence. I can't have any other background noise, though. As I'm writing this my house is being painted and the noise is quite distracting!


Deirdra: Who has made the greatest difference for you as a writer?
Suzy: That would probably be my new found author friends, all over the world. They are always there to offer help and advice whenever I need it. I've met so many awesome authors over the past few months but a special mention must go to Shalini Boland (UK), Johanna Frappier (US), Pauline Barclay (Lanzarote) and Patti Roberts (Australia).


Deirdra: Besides writing what other talents or hobbies do you have?

Suzy: Other talents? Erm...I'm good at clothes shopping for bargains! When I'm not writing, I tend to be online, social networking, reading or watching a good movie or TV show!


Deirdra: What words of advice do you have for other writers who desire to have their manuscripts become books in print?

Suzy: Never give up, as long as you have confidence in yourself, you can do it. And if you're tired of waiting for the agents to come knocking at your door, go it alone. Self publishing is getting more and more popular these days and people aren't looking down their noses at self published titles the way they used to.


Deirdra: Where can our readers go to find your books and order them?
Suzy: The books are available at all good online stores including amazon, smashwords, barnes & noble, ibooks, etc.

http://www.amazon.com/Raven-The-Saga-ebook/dp/B004ZZJ462

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/58513

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/raven-suzy-turner/1103318072


Deirdra: Any final words you would like to share?
Suzy: Writing books is the best thing I've ever done but the real amazing thing is having people read them which is why I price my books so cheaply. For just $0.99, you can be transported to another world and hopefully you'll enjoy the ride so much that you'll want to return!


Thank you so much, Suzy. It’s a real honor to get your insights.

Thank you, Deirdra.. I've had an absolute blast!



target="_blank">Suzy Turner



2 comments:

  1. Awesome interview! I gave myself a deadline, too (when I was writing my thesis.) However, I leave the writing of great books to others haha.
    I really need to check out the Saga!
    _yay_ @ http://bookthatthing.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. _yay_ if you can write a thesis, I bet you could write a book! Thanks for check out the interview on this fabulous blog!
    Suzy

    ReplyDelete

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