Saturday, January 17, 2015

Interview with Suzanne Carroll, author of Starcrossed. What lengths would you go to, to find the love you lost? The Giveaway is still running, so enter and win your very own signed book.







Author’s Interview Questions
1.       Where did the idea come from for the book?
Originally, it was a short story for a writing contest and the contest theme was lost and found.  So I was thinking along those lines, and I started wondering how far someone would go to find a lost love.  Then the idea of using the Pegasus pendant came to me while I was on holiday in New Zealand.  I’d been sketching out story ideas inbetween sight-seeing, and one day we were driving along a country road in the South Island, and we passed a sign that had Pegasus on it (I think it was advertising a removal company) and it just came to me – Georgia would have a Pegasus pendant, and that would be the key, the missing piece, that would bring her and Tom back together. 

2.       Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?
Hm, I really don’t know, I didn’t imagine any actors when I wrote it.  

I took the liberty to add my actors: Jennifer Lawrence as the young Georgia




 And the young Jonny Depp as Tom.



3.       What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
What lengths would you go to, to find the love you lost?

4.       How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
A couple of weeks. That’s when it was a short story.  When I expanded it two years later, it took several weeks more.

5.       What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
I really don’t know!

6.       Who or What inspired you to write this book?
Nothing specific, I’m afraid.   Although the scene in the florist shop had been in my head for a long time (like, several years) and it seemed to fit perfectly in this story, so in some ways, once I had the basic idea for the story, I started with that scene and sort of worked backwards.

7.       What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?
There’s quite a bit of suspense – a lot of “will they, won’t they find each other”.   And Tom’s way of finding Georgia is quite unique.



8.       In general do you like to talk about you writing and published books or are you very close-lip about it? If no why?
I’m quite shy, and don’t generally talk about my writing unless I’m asked.  But when someone does ask, I’m very happy to talk about it J

9.       What book/s are you currently writing and what is it about?
I’m working on a new novel.  It’s set in Australia, where I live, and it has some romance, some mystery and a lot of humour.

10.   What is the writing process like for you?
Generally, I have to allot myself some writing time, sit down, and just get something, anything, down on the page, even if it’s rubbish.  It’s especially like this if I have a deadline to meet.  But then it seems easier after that, once I get something written down.  I go back a day or so later and fix it up and polish and that’s when the words flow for real, when I’ve already got something to work with. 

11.   How did/do you teach yourself to write?
I didn’t.  When I was seven I wrote my first story and I enjoyed it so much I just kept going.  I’ve written many stories, on and off, over the years since then.  But writing is like anything, the more you do it, the more you’ll improve and the better you’ll get.

12.   What aspect of the craft do you think is the most difficult to learn?
I don’t know.  It would be different for everyone.  Sometimes it’s hard to give a description of a place, or an object, without going into too much detail.   It’s important the reader knows what the place looks like, and that they get the right feel for it, but too many little details can detract from the story, so it’s a fine balance.  That’s something I always try to be aware of – giving enough detail, but not too much.

13.   What has been the most encouraging comment someone has made about your writing?
Someone once wrote a review of my first novel, Over The Edge, and said she was so engrossed, she’d kept reading it even while she was brushing her teeth!

14.   What is the best and/ or worst part of being a writer?
Best part: creating new scenarios and characters.
Worst part: the time it can take away from being with family and friends.

15.   Any advice for struggling writers?
Keep at it!  There are so many more options for new writers these days.

16.   What is your favorite genre to read or write?
Hm…  I like humour, and mysteries. 

17.   Favorite author?
I don’t know if I can pick one.  I like Ben Elton and Douglas Adams.  Agatha Christie.  Sophie Kinsella.  Philippa Gregory.

18.   Do you have a favorite spot to read and write?
I’ll read anywhere.  Writing is usually either at the desk in my room, or at the dining room table.

19.   What did you do before you became a writer?
I worked part-time in an office and still do. 

20.   Was it a life long dream or triggered recently?
Life long dream.  Since I was seven.

21.   What do you like to do when not writing?
When I’m not writing I like being with my family.  And reading.  I’m getting into photography.  And I enjoy patchwork when I get the time.

22.   Do you have a bucket/ to-do list and would you share at least two things on it?
I wouldn’t say I have a bucket list, but one day I’d like to travel on the Orient Express.  And I’d love to see the Northern Lights one day.



23.   Most daring thing or experience you have done you would like to share?
I used to abseil a bit, and one time my husband and I abseiled down the cliffs at North Head, off Sydney Harbour.  Once we got to the bottom, we had to climb up the cliffs to get back to the top and that was terrifying!  There were just these tiny ledges to climb along, and up, and I don’t think I’ve ever been so scared.  It was the best feeling to clamber back over the top and onto flat land again.

24.   This or that questions:
·         Coffee or Tea – neither (I’m a hot chocolate girl)
·         Sweet or savory – savory
·         Home make meal or takeouts – home meals
·         Winter or summer – probably winter.  No wait, summer.  No, sorry, winter.  I don’t know.  Both.
·         Night-owl or Early-Bird – night owl
·         Telephone or visits – visits
·         Which social network do you prefer? – Can’t really say. I use Twitter and Facebook, but not a lot.
·         Blogger or website?  - website
·         What does your family say about your career? Supportive or Clueless - supportive

And Finally
Moto/wisdom in life you live by.
Um, I don’t really have one.   I just try to take things as they come J





GENRE: Young Adult Romance
PUBLISHER: WDA Publishing
COVER DESIGN: Manuela Cardiga


BLURB


Fish and chips on the pier.  Art.  Music.  Moonlit walks along the beach.  For the busker and the art student it’s the perfect summer romance. Until it ends suddenly with a savage thunderstorm.

A heartbroken Georgia thinks she’ll never see Tom again.  But Tom doesn’t give up easily and months later they find each other in the most unexpected place…

In the days before search engines and social networks, what lengths would you go to, to find the love you lost?



AUTHOR BIO

Suzanne lives in Sydney with her husband and children.  By day she works in an office where she quietly scribbles story ideas on yellow sticky notes and hopes they don’t accidentally end up on the departmental monthly report.  After hours she enjoys time with her family, and tries to turn those sticky notes into something readable.

CONTACT LINKS:  

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