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I hope everyone had a fabulous Memorial Day Weekend!
Jon and I had a wonderful weekend - some of our great friends came in town and we spent the weekend hanging out, talking , laughing and just enjoying the time together. It was the perfect way to celebrate the end of Jon's school! :)
I want to introduce my friend Suzie Eller. She is one of the nicest authors I've ever met! She calls herself a fiction writer but here's the thing - she's only published non-fiction books! I'm in the midst of reading her book, The Woman I Am Becoming and let me tell you, it's awesome!
Onto the interview!
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Erynn: Why did you decide to write fiction? How did you get published?
Suzie: As of right now I have published on nonfiction. Five books and seven hundred articles! But the funny thing is that I'm a fiction writer. It's why my agent chose me as her client; she loved my fiction. I write fiction because I love the power of story. I love to see how characters flesh out, come alive, and take the story in a different direction than the outline on the whiteboard.
Erynn: How do you usually get ideas?
Suzie: I brainstorm. I use two methods: the web and matrix. I shut down the left side of my brain and let the ideas flow, no matter how "out there". That allows creative ideas to emerge.
Erynn: Do you ever have problems finishing a book or an idea? How do you overcome that?
Suzie: Let it rest. Come back to it and read it as a reader. If you are still struggling, put someone in a chair mentally and write as if you are talking to them (nonfiction). In fiction, go back and read to the point where you get stuck and see if the character wants to take you in a new direction.
Erynn: What's your favorite part of writing? Your least favorite part of writing?
Suzie: My favorite is simply the creative part, letting my fingers tell a story. The most challenging is the business side, selling the book, marketing the book. But both are equally important.
Erynn: How do you take your coffee? :)
Suzie: I am a hot chocolate girl, all the way. Throw a little whipped cream on top and I'm happy.
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And there you have it! I hope everyone is having a wonderful start to summer! Keep the questions coming - the Q&A is this week! :)
