Indie Block Party - Day Four - Interview one of your Neighbors

Welcome to Day Four of the Indie Block Party!  Today, is "Interview One of Your Neighbors," and I have the pleasure of getting to know Susan Ann Wall (published as S.A. Wall).  Truth be told, she had me at "Bon Jovi" and "Wonder Woman."
 
Susan writes contemporary romance and women’s fiction for one simple reason:  she loves it! Most mornings she wakes with fictional characters buzzing in her head. The only way to quiet the chaos is to put their conversations on paper – the real stuff or the virtual kind. These people are very real to Susan and she dedicates a lot of time making them very real for her readers, mixing real-life stories with her own flavor of humor. It’s not always easy, but Susan loves the challenge and loves to create!
 
Susan sees the world in varying shades of purple and never passes on the opportunity to add to her collection of purple sunglasses or purple shoes. She spends her days working as an instructional design consultant from her home in the majestic White Mountains of New Hampshire. When she’s not tapping away on her purple netbook, she enjoys chilling out with her three kids, drinking a nice cold one with her husband, and jaunting off to Bon Jovi and Kenny Chesney concerts.
 
Susan released the 2nd novel in her "Puget Sound ~ Alive with Love Series," "The Sound of Betrayal," on August 13.  Her other novels include, "The Sound of Consequence," "Relay for Love," and "A Flame Burns Inside."
 
Susan also writes erotic fiction under the pen name Ann Victor. Her next erotic novella, "Whatever the Boss Wants," will be released August 31.  This is the prequel to the already-released novelette, "When the Boss Gets Jealous."
 

 

What books have influenced your life the most?

"The Chosen," by Chaim Potok.  I read this book when I was a senior in high school, involved with a boy who was forbidden to date me because of his family's religious beliefs.  At the time, I could relate to the struggling relationship and trying to come of age as my own person.  I find it interesting that many years later, I married a man whose name means, "the chosen."

If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?

I met and fell in love with Bella Andre at this year's RWA National Conference in Atlanta.  She had great success as in indie author and traditionally published.  She has a great business sense, a vibrant smile, and a wonderfully charming personality.  I attended her workshop and got some great advice – timely too, as I was doing a dance with self-doubt and everything she had to say cut in on that negative thinking and reaffirmed my path.  I came home and immediately implemented some that advice on my already-published novels.

What book are you reading now?

Oh, gosh, I had to force myself to stop reading so that I can meet a deadline, judge a contest, and bask in the glow of my most recent release, "The Sound of Betrayal."  Things are so tight because four of my favorite authors all released books in the same week (J. Kenner, Susan Mallery, Nicole Edwards and Christyne Butler).  Since I finished those, I'm not reading anything I haven't written until after my next release (as Ann Victor) at the end of this month.

What 3 words describe the author you want to be?

Bestseller! Bestseller! Bestseller!

If you could be any character from any book, who would you be?

Do comics count, because I really want to be Wonder Woman.

Paperback, hardcover or eBook?

eBook.  I read quickly and I have instant gratification issues, so eBooks facilitate that!! I also have tendonitis in my wrists, so holding a book becomes painful after a while and since I'm one of those "just one more chapter" readers, I need to read without the pain.

When and why did you begin writing?

I read an old Janet Evanovich romance that my husband bought for me on Mother's Day – this was 2010.  A few weeks earlier, I had crashed my car and except for whiplash, I was uninjured, but I was determined to start living...REALLY living. That meant doing things I had always wanted to do, but never took the time for.  After reading that novel, I clapped it shut and proclaimed, "I can do this, @oddamm!t."  I picked up my purple netbook and started writing and haven't stopped.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?
ALWAYS. In my youth, I wrote poetry and as an adult, my career has had me doing technical writing.  I was also a journalist in college.  I guess writing fiction just brought me full circle.

What inspired you to write your first book?

The first book I started, which I have yet to publish, was inspired by the death of my dad.  The story, titled, "Too Many Daughters," is about three women who lose their fathers – coincidentally on the same day – and all are having trouble coping with the unexpected losses.  The friendships they form with each other, and the love that kindles with the men in their lives, helps them to accept the loss and move on with their lives.  I struggled for a few years after my dad died, then a few other friends lost their fathers.  Everyone copes differently, but for me, writing the book was very therapeutic.  And yes, I do intend to publish it, once I wrap up the "Puget Sound ~ Alive with Love" series.

Do you have a regular writing routine?

I write almost every day, but I don't have a regular routine.  It depends on my schedule.  Most evenings, I write (unless I'm enthralled in someone else's book).  Sometimes, I write in the morning.  I even have Aqua Notes so I can write in the shower!


Now that's what I call dedication!

Thanks so much, Susan! 

For more information on Susan, please visit the bookshelf on her website with links to all her books: 

Website:  www.susanannwall.com and www.annvictor.com

S.A. Wall tagline:  Journey into romance…love always follows.
Ann Victor tagline: Short erotic romance for women on the go.