Wait no longer. The next WILLOW HILL novel is here!
We caught up with Susan over a cup of coffee and the Internet to discuss the new novel and see what she learned from publishing her first novel, LINNY’S SWEET DREAM LIST.
SWEET CAROLINA MORNING is your second book. How different does it feel the second time around?
I have more confidence as a writer, so when I get stuck or go off track with a story line now, I trust that I can pull the story together.
Also, I’m less afraid to include something that might be wacky. I’ve learned that things I think are funny, readers also think are funny. In Sweet Carolina Morning, Linny’s calming visualizations include this one about Jack’s ex-wife who seems to be scheming to steal him back:
She pictured Vera mincing as she walked up to accept the silver tennis trophy at the club awards dinner, an endless piece of toilet paper trailing from her shoe. Next, a tragic hair flat iron malfunction leaving Vera looking like Big Bird as she stared, bewildered, at the hunks of blonde tresses burned off in her hand. Linny exhaled, feeling better. Those visualizations she’d learned from that self-help book could be so calming.
What have you learned from the publication process?
Tenacity and patience. It took a good little while for me to find my stellar agent Gordon and for us to find a good home for my books at Kensington Publishers.
Do you have any advice for aspiring authors who want to write a series?
Know why you want to write what you want to write and work hard at developing your skills. I believed in my books, was grateful from any input – good or bad – from my critique groups and worked hard to better my skills as an author through workshops.
What is the key to writing believable, three-dimensional characters?
I aim to create characters readers can relate to. Don’t want the women or men to be too perfect. I want them to be flawed like most of us – trying hard in all their relationships with loved ones, sometimes making bad choices, eating Cheetos when they are stressed, and trying to maintain hope and a sense of humor when things get tough.
Also, God is in the details. If you know that a character anonymously donates a lot of money to a charity, or won’t even go to the grocery store without wearing full makeup and Spanx, constantly reads God’s Inspiration Romance Novels or is addicted to yard sales, readers get a good fix on that character pretty fast.
What makes a good story?
For me as an author:
- Tensions. When I first started writing, my characters were too nice and there wasn’t enough conflict. Sweet but boring. I’ve gotten better at including tensions like Linny has in Sweet Carolina Morning with the men from Spivey’s Garage and Vera, Jack’s exquisite ex-wife.
- Hope. For me, a good story is a heartwarming, hopeful and funny. Readers need more stories about relatable, good people having their struggles but finding their happily ever afters.
- Age inclusive. In my books, characters of all ages are blossoming in their lives, having adventures, falling in love and making fresh starts. Why should we leave all that good stuff to just the young heroines, when it happens all the time to folks of all ages?
What are some of your recent favorite books?
I thoroughly enjoyed Mary Kay Andrews The Weekenders. She is consistently one of my favorite authors. I just finished Kim Wright’s Last Ride to Graceland and loved it, and am re-reading some books by the marvelous Jo-Ann Mapson. Two other fine authors on my radar for their endearing and quirky characters and sweet story lines are Katie Fforde and Jenny Colgan. Don’t you love discovering authors you like?
What’s next for you?
I’m polishing up the third and final book in the Willow Hill series, Sweet Southern Hearts which is available for pre-sale and arriving January 10th, 2017. This book was a heck of a lot of fun to write, and features an RV adventure trip to Dollywood, and more love blooming for the women of a certain age. Here’s the cover blurb:
Susan Schild welcomes you back to the offbeat Southern town of Willow Hill, North Carolina, for a humorous, heartwarming story of new beginnings, do-overs, and self-discovery…
When it comes to marriage, third time’s the charm for Linny Taylor. She’s thrilled to be on her honeymoon with Jack Avery, Willow Hill’s handsome veterinarian. But just like the hair-raising white water rafting trip Jack persuades her to take, newlywed life has plenty of dips and bumps.
Jack’s twelve-year-old son is resisting all Linny’s efforts to be the perfect stepmother, while her own mother, Dottie, begs her to tag along on the first week of a free-wheeling RV adventure. Who knew women “of a certain age” could drum up so much trouble? No sooner is Linny sighing with relief at being back home than she’s helping her frazzled sister with a new baby…and dealing with an unexpected legacy from her late ex. Life is fuller—and richer—than she ever imagined, but if there’s one thing Linny’s learned by now, it’s that there’s always room for another sweet surprise…
Where can we find you?
Come follow me on Facebook, check out my website and sign up for my quarterly newsletter for insider tips and special giveaways.
Book Club Members: If you’d like me to participate in a Skype author interview for one of your upcoming meetings, I’d be happy to do so. Please send me a PM on my Facebook Page.
Thanks, Susan! SWEET CAROLINA MORNING is available now at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and independent bookstores everywhere via Indiebound.
