Susan May Warren Interview

Today I am pleased to welcome author Susan May Warren to Interviews & Reviews.

Susan May Warren is the USA Today, ECPA, and CBA bestselling author of over fifty novels, including Wild Montana Skies with more than one million books sold. Winner of a 

RITA Award and multiple Christy and Carol Awards, as well as the HOLT and numerous Readers’ Choice Awards, Susan has written contemporary and historical romances, romantic suspense, thrillers, romantic comedy, and novellas. Susan, welcome to Interviews & Reviews!

For those who aren't familiar with your work, can you tell us a little about yourself?

I love to write. I wrote my first novel when I was fourteen, (about a horse, a cowboy and the girl who loves them both, or course). I’ve been published for about 12 years, and have over 50 novels on the market, with over a million copies sold.  I write in many genres, but my favorite is epic romantic adventure. I’m currently writing a series set in Glacier National Park called Montana Rescue. A Matter of Trust is book #3 in the series.  

What is the hardest thing about writing for you?

Coming up with fresh ideas. After 50 books, I sometimes struggle to find fresh themes. Thankfully, my characters are all unique, with their own problems, and I use a storycrafting method that helps me get to their individual problems, so each story comes out differently.  Still, I really strive to reach for unique ideas and situations. 

What is your latest book about?

A freeriding snowboarder who comes face to face with the woman who betrayed him when her brother is lost in the Montana wilderness.  I had so much fun writing this book—I’m a skier, so writing a story that takes place in the mountains, in winter was especially fun. I was hoping readers would fall in love with skiing as much as they loved the story!

What inspired you to write this book?

I like to ask myself big questions when I write a story—and this one is…Could you rescue someone who betrayed you?  And, should we rescue those who live reckless lives?  I wanted to set a story in the winter, in the mountains, and I had in my head a picture of a surfer/snowboarder who was very serious about his sport, despite it being very dangerous. I wanted to show that though we are often reckless, and even make choices that offend God, He still shows up to save us.

I love how Christian authors like yourself can use fiction to help us understand the nature of God. Do you have any other books in the works?

I just finished book #4 in this series—a long awaited romance of Ian and Sierra, two main players in the Montana Rescue series. I took this story out of Montana (not entirely, but for a large part of the story) and put it in the sunny and warm waters of the Caribbean. Think shipwrecks, high seas, desert islands and romance!  I loved writing this story—although I had to use my imagination as I wrote it in January in Minnesota!

Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?

READ!!  I am always surprised at writers who don’t read, especially in their genre. A great writer HAS to root themselves in their craft, and a huge part of that is getting story in your heart and mind. I read a book every weekend, sometimes another during the week, in different genres with the hope of always improving my craft.

What is something most people don’t know about you?

I’m a certified SCUBA diver.

Do you write fiction, or non-fiction or both?

Both—I write fiction, and I TEACH how to write fiction at Novel.Academy. I’ve also written a number of how-to books on the craft of Fiction, my most recent is a primer on creating characters and story called The Story Equation.

Sounds fascinating! Thank  you Susan for visiting us today. 

Thank you for having me on your blog today!

If you are an aspiring writer and are interested in some of Susan's courses you can find out more at www.novel.academy. You can find Susan online at www.susanmaywarren.com, on Facebook at SusanMayWarrenFiction, and on Twitter @susanmaywarren. And if you want to start Susan's Montana Rescue series from the beginning, check out the books below!