Hello Susan
and welcome to Adventures in Authorland. Please get comfortable and share with
us your writing journey.
When did you first
consider yourself a writer?
When I joined a
professional writing organization. Two of them. First, Romance Writers of America
and the local chapter. I also joined a local critique group for all genres and
I realized how little I knew and how far I had to go to improve. I’d not made
any money on my manuscripts and had no published works to my name. But it was
that moment that I decided to take my ‘hobby’ to the next level and be more
serious about it. That is when I considered myself a writer. Not just a
dabbler.
In
which genre do you prefer to write and why?
I’d have to say it’s a tie between
contemporary romance and romantic suspense. As I’ve improved in my writing and
character development, I’m more confident and willing to take more risks. But
its not the genres themselves that pull me in; it’s the concept of throwing
together two completely different characters that wouldn’t normally connect
otherwise without the crazy situation in the story.
That’s not to say
that those are the only genres I read. Of course not. I love paranormal,
historical, and young adult as well. But I’m the most confident in writing the
contemporary and suspense.
You’ve recently signed with a publisher.
Tell us about your writing journey before and after this point.
My first contract was on my third
manuscript, if that gives anyone an idea. The first two were my ‘practice’
manuscripts, although I didn’t think they were just ‘practice’ at the time. As
my skill and voice improved, so did my confidence. I went to conferences and
sat in on craft sessions, I took online workshops and read so many books on
various topics of fiction writing. When I completed the manuscript for AUDREY’S
PROMISE (which took about 8 months, including editing), it was another full
year of querying to agents and editors. The Wild Rose Press offered a contract
after having the full manuscript for three months, and it was published six
months later.
This
business takes A LOT longer than I anticipated to see any results, but it’s not
just the destination that drives me, it’s the journey of discovering the
characters and growing with them.
I’m
currently working on a romance suspense trilogy. The first is complete, and I’m
nine chapters into the second. This is my first ‘series’ story, so there’s a
whole new set of things for me to learn and absorb.
Can you give us some details about your
upcoming release/s?
AUDREY’S PROMISE was released from The Wild Rose Press in November with Amazon and
Barnes & Noble (ebook came out in August). It’s a contemporary romance
about a Texas State Senate candidate who reluctantly invites a journalist home
with her for Thanksgiving (to see the family side of her life). Things do
not go well and chaos ensues. The small town dynamics pull on the emotional
side of an otherwise unflappable candidate, all in the presence of a witty yet
tortured journalist. While this story is completely fiction, I always throw in
small bits of reality. For example, the turkey recipe at the family dinner is
my mother’s real recipe. Also, the town of Mackineer is fictional, but the pond
by the graveyard is real.
What place inspires you the most?
Water. Oceans, lakes, ponds, rivers,
swimming pools. All of my stories have had some form of water in them that
inspires or is the safe haven of a main character. I was born in Puerto Rico
and lived the first five years of my life on the beach. I was then a
springboard diver for twelve years. I LOVE the water. It’s where I hope to
retire at some point with my family. For some reason, when I write a setting
with water, I’m able to immerse myself in the story and see the characters more
clearly.
Do you have any
advice for new writers beginning their adventure?
Never quit. Keep going. This is a rough
journey for most, but don’t stop. Work on growing a thick skin for the
critiques and advice you’ll receive. Take each of those critiques with a grain
of salt, but don’t disregard them completely, especially from people who are
experienced in this business. Learn to decipher the difference between people
who are truly trying to help you improve your story and craft, vs those who are
just curmudgeons (there are plenty of those out there). Lastly, do not surround
yourself with people who keep telling you nothing more than “I really like it,”
or “good job.” Those comments do not help you improve (and EVERYONE can
improve). Once again, never quit. Keep writing forward.
Side note: I wrote
a short blog post on rules of fiction writing back in 2012. I think it will
help here as well. http://susansheehey.com/2012/04/28/rules-of-fiction-writing/
AUDREY’S PROMISE Blurb:
Audrey Allen is poised
to become the youngest Texas senator, a position that fits her nickname, The
Peacemaker. But she's unable to make peace with many in her hometown, where
memories and grudges run deep from a decade-old tragedy.
Ethan Tanner, an ambitious and tantalizing journalist, joins her at Thanksgiving for an in-depth look at the promising candidate. But he has an agenda of his own that's not entirely honorable.
Ethan could stir up trouble for her budding career, or awaken the deep passions she's buried for so long. Will Ethan find that he values love more than getting the story?
AUDREY’S PROMISE Excerpt:
Ethan Tanner, an ambitious and tantalizing journalist, joins her at Thanksgiving for an in-depth look at the promising candidate. But he has an agenda of his own that's not entirely honorable.
Ethan could stir up trouble for her budding career, or awaken the deep passions she's buried for so long. Will Ethan find that he values love more than getting the story?
AUDREY’S PROMISE Excerpt:
“I’ll be up front, Audrey.” Ethan pulled out a hand recorder. “What ghosts do you have in your closet?” The wink he threw at her didn’t disguise the seriousness of his intent, despite the playful tone.
“Don’t you mean skeletons?” Miranda interrupted.
“Nope, ghosts.”
“What’s the difference?” Miranda eyed the
recorder.
“Skeletons are only scary. Ghosts from
your past can truly haunt you.”
“Aren’t you a little old to believe in ghosts?” Audrey asked with an infectious smile.
“No. They make my job the most entertaining.” The light flashed in Ethan’s eyes and his grin became wicked. Audrey’s heart thudded against her sternum. It wasn’t fair to look that enticing.
“Sorry to burst your pubescent bubble, but Halloween is over.” Audrey smiled through Miranda’s chuckle. But she couldn’t take her eyes off Ethan, assessing his resilience. Would he push and badger just like every other journalist? Were his cojones as big as he flaunted?
“Aren’t you a little old to believe in ghosts?” Audrey asked with an infectious smile.
“No. They make my job the most entertaining.” The light flashed in Ethan’s eyes and his grin became wicked. Audrey’s heart thudded against her sternum. It wasn’t fair to look that enticing.
“Sorry to burst your pubescent bubble, but Halloween is over.” Audrey smiled through Miranda’s chuckle. But she couldn’t take her eyes off Ethan, assessing his resilience. Would he push and badger just like every other journalist? Were his cojones as big as he flaunted?
Susan Sheehey Biography:
Susan writes contemporary romance, romantic suspense and women's fiction. After spending six years in the corporate world, her true passion wouldn't let go and she's been writing ever since. She lives and laughs in Texas with her husband and son.
Susan writes contemporary romance, romantic suspense and women's fiction. After spending six years in the corporate world, her true passion wouldn't let go and she's been writing ever since. She lives and laughs in Texas with her husband and son.
Thanks for having me!!
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds like a great Holiday read. Best wishes with your book and for 2014!
ReplyDelete