The Algarve continues to be her home, where she lives with her childhood sweetheart and husband of 13 years, Michael, and their menagerie of dogs and cats.
Suzy's career began soon after completing her A levels when she was offered the position of trainee journalist for a local English newspaper. Her love of writing developed and a few years later she moved on to become assistant editor for the region's largest English language publisher. Since then she has also worked as the editor of one of the Algarve's most loved monthly lifestyle magazines. Early in 2010 however, she began her real journey as an author. Suzy writes both YA urban fantasy and chick lit.
Visit her website (http://suzyturner.com), read her blog (http://suzyturner.blogspot.
Deirdra: What makes you passionate about writing?
Suzy: The idea that people are enjoying my stories. There's nothing more inspiring than getting a fabulous review from someone you don't know. It makes me want to continue to publish book after book.
Deirdra: What is your writing schedule like?
Suzy: I make myself write to deadlines. It's the only way I can work, otherwise I'd take far too long to get anything done. I start off by giving myself a date for the book to go out into the world and then I work out backwards how many words I need to write each week, and then break it down into days and then I sit down and get cracking.
Deirdra: Can you tell us a little about your book Raven?
Suzy: Raven is about a young girl called Lilly who lives in a loveless environment with a father she never sees and a mother who isn't very motherly. When they disappear one day, she has to move to Canada to a family she didn't even know existed, leaving behind her one and only friend, December Moon. The moment she arrives in Powell River, she finds a loving family who dotes on her. But she also discovers some rather frightening secrets about them all... and about herself.
Deirdra: What do you hope readers will get from your book?
Suzy: I've had people read the book and tell me that their hearts ached for Lilly. That was an amazing comment and it meant I had achieved what I wanted to achieve. I'd produced a story that touched people. I hope people will also get a sense of the beauty in Powell River and the love that Lilly's family has for her and vice versa. And for Book II, I hope that people will be sitting on the edge of their seats wondering what's going to happen next!
Deirdra: How many beta readers review your manuscript before you send it to your editor?
Suzy: Because Raven was my first book to be published, I had five friends (four of which have been in the publishing / editing business) to read it for me. I didn't have an editor but for December Moon, I had one beta reader (a school teacher!) and I hired an editor.
Deirdra: Besides writing what other talents or hobbies do you have?
Suzy: Other talents? Erm...I'm good at clothes shopping for bargains! When I'm not writing, I tend to be online, social networking, reading or watching a good movie or TV show!
Deirdra: What words of advice do you have for other writers who desire to have their manuscripts become books in print?
Suzy: Never give up, as long as you have confidence in yourself, you can do it. And if you're tired of waiting for the agents to come knocking at your door, go it alone. Self publishing is getting more and more popular these days and people aren't looking down their noses at self published titles the way they used to.
http://www.amazon.com/Raven-
http://www.smashwords.com/
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/
Thank you so much, Suzy. It’s a real honor to get your insights.
Thank you, Deirdra.. I've had an absolute blast!
Awesome interview! I gave myself a deadline, too (when I was writing my thesis.) However, I leave the writing of great books to others haha.
ReplyDeleteI really need to check out the Saga!
_yay_ @ http://bookthatthing.blogspot.com
_yay_ if you can write a thesis, I bet you could write a book! Thanks for check out the interview on this fabulous blog!
ReplyDeleteSuzy