Susan Kelley
August 6, 2007
Susan Kelley Tells All
ST: Good morning everyone. Welcome to our week long chat with Susan Kelley. Hi Susan, welcome and thank you for visiting with us.
SK: Hi Sloane. Thanks for having me.
ST: Tell us about yourself.
SK: I’ve been writing romance and fantasy for over five years. I’m a very busy mother of 4 and I teach high school full time.
ST: Your latest novel, THE GREATER GOOD, looks to be an exciting, hot read. Please tell us about it.
SK: THE GREATER GOOD takes place in the future after a natual disaster has set civilization back into the age of swords and small colonies.
ST: How did you come up with the story line for a futuristic romance?
SK: I often thought about how people would survive if we suddenly lost all of our luxuries. I think people would have to be very brave, heroic even. This story is about a few of those heroes and heroines as they do what they can for everyone’s benefit no matter the cost to themselves.
ST: And where and can we buy THE GREATER GOOD?
SK: Please visit the New Concept Publishing site
ST: Thanks for stopping by, Susan. I look forward to chatting with you tomorrow.
SK: If anyone has questions, please post them. I’ll be happy to answer.
August 7, 2007
The Write Side of Life
ST: Welcome back, Susan. Tell us what made you decide to be a writer?
SK: I’ve always been as story teller and a reader. Finally some of my stories needed to be written.
ST: How long have you been writing?
SK: Over five years.
ST: How many books have you written?
SK: Ten completed and another under way.
ST: Which is your favorite and why?
SK: This one. THE GREATER GOOD is the story that pushed me into writing.
ST: Do you find writing to be fulfilling? And in what way?
SK: I love watching my characters develop. Sometimes the story doesn’t go the way I expected because my characters have grown or changed. They become like real people to me. I’m always a little sad when I finish a story.
ST: What’s a normal day like for you?
SK: When I’m teaching school, I write at lunch time and often late at night. During days off, I usually have a lot of house work or gardening to take care of plus cooking for all those kids. In the evening I most often have to go watch one of my children play in one of their sporting events. Whatever time is left over, I write.
ST: With your busy life how do you find time to write?
SK: Sometimes I write at a baseball game if it’s not too crowded. Mostly, I skip on sleep and stay up very late.
ST: I admire your dedication to your craft. Will you have time to catch up with us tomorrow?
SK: Absolutely!
August 8, 2007
Author, Author, Tell Us More
ST: We’re back with Susan Kelley and ready to learn more about this talented author. Susan, are there any quirks you have or do before or while you’re writing?
SK: I listen to the same music or put on a movie for background noise. I only use movies and music that’s from heroic epic or action flicks. Examples: Lord of the Rings, the Bourne movies, Superman.
ST: Who or what encouraged you to write erotica?
SK: My books don’t really qualify as erotica.
ST: Just how hot are your books, Susan?
SK: THE GREATER GOOD is a sensual read.
ST: Where do you get the ideas for your novels?
SK: Out of my poor overworked mind. LOL
ST: How do you research your books?
SK: I do some study online, know something about horses already, and have attended seminars and demonstrations on sword play.
ST: Who is your support group?
SK: I connect with a great group of writers who used to write for a now defunct publisher and continue to support each other. I also belong to a great group of local writers and RWA. My family encourages me, though they know little about the industry. (They all just hope I get rich, LOL)
ST: And so do I! Guess that’s all the time we have for today. Thanks so much for participating, Susan.
SK: My pleasure. I’ll see you early in the morning!
August 9, 2007
The Soft Side of Susan Kelley
ST: Good morning everyone. Susan, please describe your writing space.
SK: I have a sitting room with the computer in one corner and my desk and book shelves in the diagonal corner. I use an Alphasmart to write on. I can’t have that computer too close, or I’ll find a reason to be online.
ST: I know what you mean! What’s your favorite part of writing?
SK: Doing the edits after the first draft. That’s when I round out the setting and look for inconsistencies.
ST: What do you absolutely hate about being an author?
SK: I’m finding the hours needed to really promote to be almost overwhelming. And there’s so much to learn. I’m lucky to have colleagues with more experience and very willing to answer my questions.
ST: In your opinion what’s the most important thing for a new writer to learn?
SK: Never give up and work hard.
ST: Your website is gorgeous. I recommend everyone cruise over and check it out. How did you decide on the content and design?
SK: LOL. Thank you. I’ve spent hours working as a complete novice on my webpage. I’ve learned some things since and will be making it even better.
ST: Sounds great. We’ll be back in tomorrow to learn what’s in the future for Susan.
August 10, 2007
Gazing into the Crystal Ball
ST: Good morning and welcome back for our last day with Susan Kelley. Susan, what does the future hold for you?
SK: The second book in THE SOLONIAN CHRONICLES titled THE LESSER EVIL, will be coming out very soon also from New Concepts Publishing. It’s set in the same world but with a different hero and heroine. When you read THE GREATER GOOD, you’ll see the sparks fly between these two and want to learn more about them.
ST: If you had one wish that would be granted, what would it be?
SK: Like many writers, I would love to be able to work full time as a writer.
ST: How did you and New Concepts Publishing come together?
SK: I read some of their fine books that I purchased at Borders. I submitted to them and fortunately for me, they offered a contract.
ST: What’s in the works for the future?
SK: THE LESSER EVIL will be available soon. I also have another romantic fantasy trilogy that I hope New Concepts will be interest in publishing.
ST: Thanks, Susan, for spending so much time with us. It’s been a great week and I’ve enjoyed learning more about you. The very best to you in the future and keep us posted on your future releases.
SK: Thank you, Sloane, for all your kind words and this opportunity.