A big warm welcome to author Susan Hughes! Hi, Susan! She agreed to go on the chopping block and do an interview with me! She's also doing a giveaway so make sure you leave a comment!
Did you always want to be a writer? If not, then what?
I’ve always felt compelled to write stories, and as a teenager I knew I wanted to be a novelist. But I knew it was a hard road, and since I also enjoy working with other people’s words, I trained as an editor.
Do your readers contact you? If so, what do they say?
The most frequent comment I get is in regard to my novel Wine & Roses. They find it refreshing to read about a mature woman dating a younger man. It was fun to write, too!
For aspiring writers, what three pieces of good advice would you give them?
- Join a community of writers. Feedback, advice and encouragement from fellow writers can be invaluable.
- Develop a thick skin. Some people will try to tear you down, no matter how good you are.
- Believe in yourself and persevere.
Do you have a favorite of your own books?
Right now my new one, Sense of Touch, my first historical romance. It was the hardest to write because of the research I needed to do, but at times the words just flowed because it was so close to my heart.
How do you balance writing with your life?
It’s difficult when you have a day job and three young kids! My usual strategy is to neglect housework.
How old were you when you wrote your first book and what was it about?
I was thirteen and it was about a couple of girl detectives. It was meant to be a novel but I think it ended up being about twenty pages long.
Where do your ideas come from?
Often I pick a setting first, then sketch out my main characters, drop in a conflict and see what happens from there.
Do you have a writing quirk?
I don’t think so.
Pantser or Planner?
A bit of both. Plans usually get tossed out the window anyway.
Do you pick out dream casts for your books? If so, what's your favorite so far?
He’s not an actor, but TV host Josh Bernstein makes a perfect romance hero. His ideal costar? Me!
What do you use to motivate yourself to keep writing through the tough spots?
My friends are very supportive. When I’m having a bad day they encourage me to believe in myself and keep going.
What is your current WIP about? (Possible title, characters, setting, etc.)
A Christmas novel, though I don’t have enough time to finish it for this season. I don’t want to give any details away yet!
Share one sentence from your book, no explanations, just one sentence.
Methodically she unclipped her stockings from her garters, rolled them down her legs and flicked them off the ends of her toes, and then slipped off her chemise and bloomers and tossed her bandeau aside—until finally she stood naked, feeling not a bit self-conscious as the cool air touched her skin and warm anticipation fluttered through her chest.
Coke vs Pepsi?
Is there a difference?
Chocolate vs Vanilla?
Chocolate all the way.
Cake vs Ice Cream?
Both – ice cream on top of cake (both chocolate)
Night owl or Early bird?
Night owl
Favorite genre to read?
Romance or historical fiction
What was your favorite book as a child?
Lamont the Lonely Monster
Do you think we dream in color or that we wake up and remember it in color?
My dreams are very vivid and definitely full-color.
What's your favorite food?
Indian curry
What type of food could you never live without?
Salt & vinegar chips
If you meet one person, living or dead, who would it be and why?
Shakespeare, to find out if he really did write those plays himself!
If you were stuck on a desert island, what would you take with you (limit 4 items)?
Fishing rod, blanket, pillow, toilet paper
Favorite show growing up?
Starsky & Hutch
If you could have one super power, what would it be and why? The ability to fly. No more sitting in traffic!
What do you think the future will hold?
Many more good books, I hope.
I’ve always felt compelled to write stories, and as a teenager I knew I wanted to be a novelist. But I knew it was a hard road, and since I also enjoy working with other people’s words, I trained as an editor.
Do your readers contact you? If so, what do they say?
The most frequent comment I get is in regard to my novel Wine & Roses. They find it refreshing to read about a mature woman dating a younger man. It was fun to write, too!
For aspiring writers, what three pieces of good advice would you give them?
- Join a community of writers. Feedback, advice and encouragement from fellow writers can be invaluable.
- Develop a thick skin. Some people will try to tear you down, no matter how good you are.
- Believe in yourself and persevere.
Do you have a favorite of your own books?
Right now my new one, Sense of Touch, my first historical romance. It was the hardest to write because of the research I needed to do, but at times the words just flowed because it was so close to my heart.
How do you balance writing with your life?
It’s difficult when you have a day job and three young kids! My usual strategy is to neglect housework.
How old were you when you wrote your first book and what was it about?
I was thirteen and it was about a couple of girl detectives. It was meant to be a novel but I think it ended up being about twenty pages long.
Where do your ideas come from?
Often I pick a setting first, then sketch out my main characters, drop in a conflict and see what happens from there.
Do you have a writing quirk?
I don’t think so.
Pantser or Planner?
A bit of both. Plans usually get tossed out the window anyway.
Do you pick out dream casts for your books? If so, what's your favorite so far?
He’s not an actor, but TV host Josh Bernstein makes a perfect romance hero. His ideal costar? Me!
What do you use to motivate yourself to keep writing through the tough spots?
My friends are very supportive. When I’m having a bad day they encourage me to believe in myself and keep going.
What is your current WIP about? (Possible title, characters, setting, etc.)
A Christmas novel, though I don’t have enough time to finish it for this season. I don’t want to give any details away yet!
Share one sentence from your book, no explanations, just one sentence.
Methodically she unclipped her stockings from her garters, rolled them down her legs and flicked them off the ends of her toes, and then slipped off her chemise and bloomers and tossed her bandeau aside—until finally she stood naked, feeling not a bit self-conscious as the cool air touched her skin and warm anticipation fluttered through her chest.
Coke vs Pepsi?
Is there a difference?
Chocolate vs Vanilla?
Chocolate all the way.
Cake vs Ice Cream?
Both – ice cream on top of cake (both chocolate)
Night owl or Early bird?
Night owl
Favorite genre to read?
Romance or historical fiction
What was your favorite book as a child?
Lamont the Lonely Monster
Do you think we dream in color or that we wake up and remember it in color?
My dreams are very vivid and definitely full-color.
What's your favorite food?
Indian curry
What type of food could you never live without?
Salt & vinegar chips
If you meet one person, living or dead, who would it be and why?
Shakespeare, to find out if he really did write those plays himself!
If you were stuck on a desert island, what would you take with you (limit 4 items)?
Fishing rod, blanket, pillow, toilet paper
Favorite show growing up?
Starsky & Hutch
If you could have one super power, what would it be and why? The ability to fly. No more sitting in traffic!
What do you think the future will hold?
Many more good books, I hope.
About the Author:
Nothing gets my heart pumping like a good love story with absorbing emotion, plenty of passion, and an old-fashioned happy ending. That’s why I started writing romance novels, and I’m excited to share these stories with you. Set mainly in Canada, my novels explore the extraordinary thrill of finding that special someone and falling head over heels in love. I hope you’ll enjoy reading them as much as I did writing them.
I live in Ottawa, Ontario, with my husband and three children.
Nothing gets my heart pumping like a good love story with absorbing emotion, plenty of passion, and an old-fashioned happy ending. That’s why I started writing romance novels, and I’m excited to share these stories with you. Set mainly in Canada, my novels explore the extraordinary thrill of finding that special someone and falling head over heels in love. I hope you’ll enjoy reading them as much as I did writing them.
I live in Ottawa, Ontario, with my husband and three children.
Connect with the Author:
Website: susanrhughes.weebly.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Susan-R-Hughes/150348171749025
Blog: http://authorsofmainstreet.wordpress.com
Website: susanrhughes.weebly.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Susan-R-Hughes/150348171749025
Blog: http://authorsofmainstreet.wordpress.com
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