Monday, January 05, 2009

Susan Page Davis is my guest today...leave a comment and enter win a free book!

Susan Page Davis is my guest today! Thanks for stopping by, Susan.

Leave a comment and be put in the drawing for her latest release.

Susan Page Davis is a Maine native. She writes romantic suspense and mysteries. Her historical romances have won several awards. The daughter of a naval officer turned law enforcement officer, she grew up loving horses and books and took a degree in history. It all comes together in the stories she writes.




1. Plug time! Please tell us a little about your latest release and why readers should run out and buy it as soon as it hits the shelves.


Inside Story is an exciting, military-themed suspense book that will keep you turning the pages. Claudia Gillette is a high-powered journalist who will go to any lengths to get a story. Bill White is a Navy Lieutenant on a secret operation. If they could stay in the same hemisphere long enough for a date, things might go more smoothly for them. As it is, Claudia drops in unexpectedly on Bill’s clandestine mission. They’ll be lucky to get out of it alive, let alone speaking to each other.

2. How many full manuscripts did you write before you sold?
Oh, about twenty, I’d say. I know you’re laughing when you read that, but it’s true. First I wrote several police procedural mystery-suspense books. I had no idea what I was doing, but it was fun and I began to learn the craft. Then I wrote several contemporary romances. I tried a few novellas and a children’s book. Finally I turned to historical romance, and got a hit. And, in case you’re wondering, a few of those earlier attempts were later resurrected and sold. Book four in my police series, for instance. After a complete overhaul, it became a Love Inspired Suspense book. One of the novellas was lengthened into a full-length book. A few others have also found their way into print.

3. In your opinion, what’s the most fascinating thing about writing?
The way it transports you into a totally different world.

4. What’s something you can tell us about yourself that most people don’t know?
I had a major stroke on January 8, 1997. For about 24 hours, I couldn’t read or write. The “language” area of my brain was affected. I could talk, but I had trouble finding the right words. Through God’s grace, within 48 hours I was well on the way to recovery, and have no residual effects. Despite 9 days of testing and observation, my doctors never found a cause. I’m rejoicing in the gift that has been the last 11 years.

Wow, that's incredible! Isn't God amazing?

5. When did you start writing for publication and what did people say when they found out?
I started writing fiction in the summer of 1999. I’d been writing nonfiction articles for newspapers and magazines before that, so I don’t think they were shocked. But when my first short story was published in Woman’s World, some folks sat up and took notice. A couple of years later I sold my first book. For the most part, people I knew were thrilled and excited for me. It’s funny, but with 19 books in print, I’m still bumping into people I’ve known for years who don’t know I’m a published author.

6. What is your favorite food?
Fruit of just about any type.

7. Tell us a little about your family.
My husband, Jim, is a news editor. We have six children (four college grads, three of whom are married, and two still in the home schooling process). We also have five grandchildren, all of whom live at least 1,200 miles from our home in Maine.

8. Who are your favorite authors?
I keep going back to Dick Francis, Ellis Peters, and Alexander McCall Smith for mystery. I read lots of genres and enjoy discovering new authors, but old friends are the best.

9. What are you reading now and what’s in your “to be read” pile?
Right now I’m reading an older Dick Francis book I somehow missed: Driving Force. It’s good. My TBR pile includes a Martha Grimes novel and a Patricia Cornwell. I recently read Nancy Mehl’s cozy mysteries and loved them (Cozy in Kansas series). A few other books I recently polished off: novella collection A Bride by Christmas; John Olson’s Fossil Hunter; Marcia Gruver’s Diamond Duo; Smith’s The Good Husband of Zebra Drive; and DiAnn Mills’s A Texas Legacy Christmas.

10. Do you set out to write each story with a particular theme or does the theme develop as the story does?
I set out to write a story, not a theme. Usually a theme runs through it, but I haven’t worked hard to plant it there.

11. Do you have a particular method for tracking the details in your story? Can you tell us a little about this?
I’m low tech about this. I keep a manila folder for each work in progress. I write the main characters’ names and basic information (relationships, physical characteristics) on the outside. In the folder go the synopsis and any other aids I construct for that story, such as timelines, calendars, or character sketches, as well as any pertinent articles I clip, interview notes, or other research aids. When the contract comes, I start a three-ring binder and move everything over there. If I do research on line, I print what I use and file it in the binder, too, along with correspondence and rough drafts.

12. Who has had the most influence on your life in general? In your writing life?
After the Lord, that would definitely be my husband, Jim. Every aspect of my life is affected by him. He also plays a big part in my writing. He reads through every manuscript before I submit it. He’s great at catching inconsistencies and typos. We’re now thinking of writing a book together.

13. Do you have an agent? If yes, did you have the agent before you sold your first book or after?
Yes, I have an agent I’ve worked with for two years now. I did not have an agent when I sold my first book. I connected with my first agent shortly after that sale, and we worked together for three years. Then I found my present agent. It seems to be a good fit for both of us.

14. What advice do you have for a beginning author?

Read. Write. Listen. Repeat.
15. Any parting comments?

Come visit me on my Website: www.susanpagedavis.com. You can view a book trailer there for Inside Story, enter a contest, and see my daughter (and mystery co-author) Megan’s wedding picture, among other things.

Thanks so much, Susan for stopping by. I look forward to what readers have to say and to drawing a winner from the comments!

15 comments:

Pamela J said...

I know some about military (perhaps Navy is different?)since both our boys have been in the army, one of which still is. This book sounds like it may be a gut wrenching and terrifying one for me having a son still enlisted. A friend of ours quite sometime back was talking to her son who was in the service at the time on a secret mission. She wanted to know where he was and all he said was if he told her where he was he'd have to kill her.
Seeing this book is about being lucky to get out alive sounds like on the edge of the seat reading.
WOW, Susan, you amaze me with your books! I can see in part why, with your husband behind you reading and doing input to consistency and typos. I would look forward to a book by the both of you too!
I'm looking forward to going to your web page to see all the neat stuff there along with your daughter's wedding picture. Congratulations to her too!
Pam Williams

Helga Marie Bee said...

Please count me in on the give away, I love military inspired books, as I grew up with a marine for a father, and enlisted in the army national guard at 17 myself...

Thank you for such an awesome interview, I look forward to reading this author in the future.

Pat Jeanne Davis said...

Thank you for this interview, Susan. I love your books. It's wonderful that you have your husband's support as well as hands on expertise with editing your novels. I look forward to seeing a story by you both. Please enter me in this drawing for your latest.
patjeannedavis[at]verizon[dot]net

Lynette Eason said...

Hey Susan, thanks for stopping by! I really enjoyed reading your interview and I'm a big fan of your books. I look forward to reading this one and am headed over to Amazon to order it. (Don't think it would be fair to enter my name in the contest...ha!) God Bless!

Lynette

Donna said...

Lynette,

great interview. I have read the first two in the series and will read this one as well. Susan is such a great author.

Don't add me to the drawing. I am suppose to review/interview Susan in a couple of weeks on Writebyfaith

Carole said...

Many of my friends enjoy Susan's books and I plan to start soon. I enjoyed the interview and had forgotten how much I also liked Dick Francis. Thank you for the giveaway.

cjarvis [at] bellsouth [dot] net

Martha A. said...

That is neat that although you had a stroke you have no lasting effects! What a miracle!
martha(at)lclink(dot)com

NancyMehl said...

Susan,

Thanks for the mention. (I'll drop a check in the mail in the next couple of days. LOL!)

Great interview by a super writer and even better person. I'm glad to know you.

Nancy

Jo said...

Hi Susan,

What a great interview this was. I am really looking forward to reading your books. Please enter me in drawing.

Blessings,
Jo
ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com

L. B. Greer said...

I am a military widow whose husband died on active duty. I am trying to write a Christian fiction starting at that point and based on my life story. It is certainly difficult, but having the time line and character sketches and two good suggestions that I have heard before. Susan has re-emphasized their importance.

Dr. Linda B. Greer
Spartanburg, SC.

donna said...

Wow, it's an amazing thing that the has no lasting effects on your writing!
I'd love to read the book!
rebornbutterfly(at)sbcglobal(dot) net

Jim Hall said...

Thanks for the interview and I can't wait to read the book. Please enter me for the drawing!

God bless,

Jim

tetewa said...

Enjoyed the interview and I agree with you on loving fruit, people often ask what is my favborite and I say watermelon! tWarner419@aol.com

Merry said...

I love your books Susan and can't wait to read Inside Story. Praise God for your recovery from the stoke! Please add me in the drawing.

worthy2bpraised{at}gmail{dot}com

Susan Page Davis said...

Wow! My laptop has been in the shop since last Thursday and look at all the cool comments I missed! I'm sorry I didn't get to stop by earlier. You're a great group. Thanks for all your encouragement.