Author interview with Susan Antony

Hi Susan

Welcome to the garden interviews. Tell us about you and your books.

Are your characters based on real people?

Every one of my characters is a unique individual. I play with them in my head for a year or so while I plot their story. They become so real to me it’s scary. When I open my lap to write, some hijack my story and take it in another direction.

Have you ever cried while writing a book?

 No, but I hope my writing is heartfelt enough to induce tears in others.

When did you decide to become an author?

My first novel, MORE TROUBLE FOR ME, was written when I was about ten years old. It contained thirty handwritten pages. In junior high I moved on to screenplays for movies of which one day I would star. My parents worried about me because I spent so much time alone in my room. I never told them I was writing. I’m sure they’d have been relieved, but I wanted to keep it a secret. Later on, life got in the way and I buried both my writing and acting dreams. I’d nearly forgotten about them entirely when decades later, while purging junk and cutter, I came across my first novel and was inspired to realize my childhood dream.

What tips would you give a new writer?

Practice, practice, practice and never give up. If you haven’t already, build an online presence and nurture it. Only a minute number of authors become overnight successes. There are general rules to writing such as the infamous “show and don’t tell.” There is no excuse for not studying as there are many online writing classes you can take on your time. Join critique groups. Listen to your critics and evaluate their opinions. Take what you like and trash the rest. Though, always keep your mind open and learn to take constructive criticism. My harshest critic helped me the most. After I finished crying over my bruised ego, I realized he was one-hundred percent right. Had I not listened, I might not be published today.

Which phrase in the book are you most proud of?

If you’ve ever been to Cherokee North Carolina you will understand:

The late summer sun’s amber rays bear down strong, and the land blossoms green with life. Happiness bubbles inside me until I swear I’ll take flight. Though it’s not in my birthright, I long to be a small part of Cherokee and its people. Will I ever be so lucky?


and for a little fun...

Do you have a favorite quote?

Oh, yes. It is from Jack Kerouac from the novel ON The ROAD:  “But then they danced down the street like dingledodies, and I shambled after as I've been doing all my life after people who interest me, because the only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars...”

What song would best describe your life?

 

There are quite a few, but Tubthumping (I Get Knocked Down) by Chumbwamba popped right into my head. The lyrics go as such, I get knocked down, but I get up again. You’re never gonna keep me down.

Do you enjoy giving interviews?

I love interviews. While many writers claim to be introverts, I am definitely an extravert. I love talking to large crowds and answering questions about myself or any given topic. Stage-fright isn’t in my vocabulary.

Do you have any hobbies? 

Dance, dance, and more dance. I love to go C&W line dancing, swing dancing, and bailando salsa and merengue. If I could dance every day I would.

What is the one question you wish an interviewer would ask you?  

It would be, why do you write YA?  

Answer: I adore the genre. Young adults love, hate, and play hard in an arena where the

world shines new and the future burns wide open. When I’m writing YA, if I dig deep inside,

I can recapture those intense, wonderful, sometimes painful feelings, and immerse myself in that

world once again through my character’s lives.

Often times, I think as adults we don’t give our youth enough credit. Though still physically and mentally developing, teens have valid beliefs and concerns and deserve to be heard. I believe if everyone strived to be as pliable in his or her thinking as young people are naturally, together we could create a kinder and more brilliant world.

Where can we find you online?

Instagram

Twitter

Facebook

pinterest

Website

Buy links

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Walmart

Kobo

Apple Books

Google Play Store

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