Monday, June 05, 2006

Interview with Susan May Warren

Susan May Warren's novel, Everything's Coming Up Josie, promises to be a great read!

For everyone who wanted to know what it's REALLY like to be a missionary!

What is God doing? When Josey Berglund's little sister marries her ex, Josey heads out of town to Russia to teach English for a year. If the snow, the subway, the market and the language don't send her screaming, her love life just might. Will she survive Russia? Or God's plans for her?

Thank you, Susan for taking the time to answer a few questions.

1. A fiction book about your life. Was it difficult to write? Fun?

Susan: Oh, it was VERY fun to write...because as a missionary you go onto the field with a billion false expectations, until you realize you know NOTHING about what you're doing and feel about as important as a slug. I got to tap into all those crazy expectations and moments and reveal what missionary life is all about...(and you'll have to read the answer in Everything's Coming Up Josey!) *g*

2. When did you discover you wanted to be an author?

Susan: I have always loved to write, but I NEVER thought I'd be an author. Even after I was published, I had a hard time seeing myself as an "author". Authors are people like Francine Rivers, John Grisham, or C.S. Lewis...you know, SMART people! I think God just knows our deepest unspoken desires and delights in surprising us!

3. Is this your first novel?

Susan: This is my first CHICK LIT novel. I have fifteen suspense/romance novels on the market currently, either contemporary or historical. But this is probably the funniest of my novels.

4. As a published author, what is the most important piece of advice you can give to aspiring authors?

Susan: You need to keep working on craft all the time. Keep learning. I am going to be opening a new page on my website (www.susanmaywarren.com) that takes books and dissects them for a writer--sorta bringing out the things we can learn. One of the most important things for a writer is to read, analyze and apply.

5. What was the hardest lesson you had to learn?

Susan: That not everyone is as passionate about my stories as I am, and that sometimes I should let other people talk. *g*

6. Where do you get your inspiration for your novels?

Susan: News articles, scripture, life events...mostly I ask God for an idea and He brings it to mind.

7. Anything you would like to add to encourage other writers?

Susan: Don't be afraid to dig deep, to let your real emotions out. If you are authentic and let the stories come from deep inside, they will touch others and maybe even change lives.

Thank you very much, Susan for your time!

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