1) What is the best and worse thing you have learned from an editor/agent? – Ooh, that’s a great question. Hmm, OK, from an editor, probably that I had a naturally fabulous writing voice and that my characters leapt off the page at her. From an agent, after reading a chapter and synopsis of my new novel, that she’d be interested to read my manuscript when it was finished.
2) What is your typical day? – Ha, ha, ha! Funny! But seriously, I don’t have a typical day. As well as writing, I also have an editing business. So the writing either happens from 5 a.m.-7 a.m. or I try to write just after the school run, then it’s over to my clients’ work. But all of that is in an ideal world. I have two primary-school-age kids. Nothing ever goes to plan!!
3) What do you read while in the midst of a project? Or don’t you? – I do read, but not necessarily for pleasure. By that, I mean, it’s often clients’ manuscripts I’m working on, as when I’m in the writing zone, I am very productive (I once wrote 17,000 words in one day, to finish my second novel). But given there are only 24 hours in a day, reading for leisure and pleasure goes out the window a little when I am mid-project. I mean, I still read, but it can take me ages to finish a book.
4)
What
do you do with a paperback once you’ve read it? – Mainly, I keep it. I used to have
a home library. In fact, we bought this house so I could finally have a
library. Then my children came along and I lost my library as it became one of
their bedrooms. Just as well I love them! My kids that is! As well as books! I
have, however, recently been able to give some books away. It was hard, there
were tears, but I have donated some and I do lend or give away books to friends.
5)
Are
you nervous about friends reading your book? – A little. Since they all seem to love them,
that helps! I think the more books I write, the less I worry. Plus, you’ll
never please everyone. I recall being told a friend was shocked at some of the
romance scenes in one of my earlier books. They weren’t particularly explicit,
just more so than the later ones.
6) What things inspire you to write? Location, music, film or even in a book? – Location, for sure. I love to travel. I wouldn’t say music, but a film and even more so a book can inspire me. It might be a word in it, a line from a film, and I think, ‘I can write a book about that’. But more commonly, it’s simply observing people around me and hearing their stories
7) What’s next for you? – I actually
have a lot going on right now. I’ve just sent off The Proposal, and I’m working
concurrently on books 10 and 11, What If? and The Boulangerie on the
Corner (working title). I’m sidelining book 10 temporarily as I’ll
be in France in April doing research, plus it’s screaming at me at the moment
to be written!
BLURB & LINK:
For fans of Sue Moorcroft, Jill Mansell and Holly Martin
“I think Susan has a real gift for conveying the warmth and humour in her characters and reflecting the reality of people’s lives.”
Pregnant Louisa is just getting back on track when life throws her another curveball. Now, it’s not a case of how she’ll get through her to-do lists but how she’ll manage being a mum again.
No one seems to understand. How will she run her company, be partner in a new venture, look after her three kids and handle a newborn? And why does everyone think this will be easy? Except her.
All Louisa wants is to be a good mum, wife, friend, sister and daughter, and have a bit of time left for herself, but sometimes that’s too big an ask. Can she find the support she needs, or will she forever be pulled in too many directions, always at the mercy of her to-do lists?
BIO:
Susan Buchanan lives in South Lanarkshire, Scotland with her husband and their two children. She writes contemporary women's fiction and romantic comedies, Her books are: Sign of the Times, The Dating Game, The Christmas Spirit, Return of the Christmas Spirit, Just One Day - Winter, Just One Day - Spring, Just One Day - Summer and Just One Day - Autumn.
You can find me on
my website at www.susanbuchananauthor.com,
or
hanging out on
Twitter @susan_buchanan or Facebook www.facebook.com/susancbuchananauthor
and Instagram AuthorSusanBuchanan
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