This week’s guest poster is the awesome Suzanne Rogerson, author of the Silent Sea Chronicles.  Check out her interview below!

Q01 – When did you decide you wanted to become a writer?

At junior school, I loved English lessons and writing stories. When I was very young, eight or nine, I had a whole book series planned about a young girl and her pet lion.

They were going to have many adventures together, but sadly I never got around to writing the actual stories. The intention to publish books was always there though, even if it did take me 30 years to realise that dream.

Q02 – Did you find people supportive when they learnt you were a writer?

People are always fascinated by my desire to be a writer when I pluck up the courage to tell them.

The fact I was a would-be writer even helped me land a job once (totally unrelated to the job in question).

My boss said she picked me above the other candidates because if I had the determination to write books, then I had the drive to succeed that she was looking for.

Although family and friends have been supportive, I don’t think they really took me seriously until I self-published and started getting glowing reviews from complete strangers.

Q03 – What is your dream goal for your writing?

I love the freedom of self-publishing – being in charge of all the decisions and not having to wait on others.

But my dream is to have my books in bookshops and libraries and to see them translated all over the world.

My debut, Visions of Zarua, is being traditionally published in the Czech Republic. The Czech translation will be available in autumn 2019, so I feel as though I’m on the right track.

Q04 – What is the genre you mainly write?

I write epic fantasy. I also have mystery and romance elements in my books, and I know they appeal to people who enjoy those genres as well.

Q05 – Do you outline or jump right into the story?

Both. I start with a character. Sometimes it’s just a person in a scene in my head and I write and allow the character and their situation to develop.

Other characters turn up and soon I have the makings of a story. It’s around this stage that I sit down to plan the story in more detail.

I’ve found excel is a brilliant tool to help me plot out my scenes and chapters in advance.

Q06 – Do you create the story first or the characters?

I always start with the character. If there is no character, there is no story!

Q07 – Would you ever want to see a story of yours turned into a movie?

When I write I see the scenes taking place in my mind, almost like a film. I would love to see Visions of Zarua and the Silent Sea Chronicles made into films.

Especially as I love action-packed films with great characters. The worry would be how so many film adaptations fall short of the books, but I wouldn’t complain at the publicity!

Q08 – What is the hardest part of the writing process for you?

The hardest part of the writing process for me is probably getting the initial story planned out once I have my characters.

Q09 – Roughly how long does it take you to write your novels?

It’s hard to say how long my books have taken to write. It’s been a long process for me to get them ready to self-publish.

I’d be better answering that question next year once I’ve written Book 3 in the Silent Sea Chronicles. I’m hoping it will only take a year, as I’d really like to get the trilogy finished and published in 2019.

Q10 – What is the single best piece of advice you could give to new writers?

My best advice to a new writer is meet other like-minded people. You need the support and advice of your peers, and someone who understands your desire and need to write.

Q11 – Are there any authors you would love to meet in person?

I would love to meet Robin Hobb. She made a huge impact on my own writing and I would love to tell her that.

I met her once at a book signing, but never found the courage to say how much she inspired me to write fantasy.

Q12 – Tells us why you love writing

There is nothing better than creating characters and worlds for them to live in. But my favourite thing of all is getting feedback from my readers.

When someone says how much they’ve enjoyed my books and loved my characters, it gives me a real sense of achievement.

~ ~ ~

About Suzanne

Suzanne lives in Middlesex, England with her hugely encouraging husband and two children.

She wrote her first novel at the age of twelve. She discovered the fantasy genre in her late teens and has never looked back.

Giving up work to raise a family gave her the impetus to take her attempts at novel writing beyond the first draft, and she is lucky enough to have a husband who supports her dream – even if he does occasionally hint that she might think about getting a proper job one day.

Suzanne loves gardening and has a Hebe (shrub) fetish. She enjoys cooking with ingredients from the garden, and regularly feeds unsuspecting guests vegetable-based cakes.

She collects books, loves going for walks and picnics with the children and sharing with them her love of nature and photography.

Suzanne is interested in history and enjoys wandering around castles. But most of all she likes to escape with a great film, or soak in a hot bubble bath with ice cream and a book.

The Sentinel’s Reign – Silent Sea Chronicles Book 2

The new Sentinel’s reign is doomed to failure unless Tei can prevent the Kalayan people from plunging into war.

With the new Sentinel initiated and the magic restored on Kalaya, life is flourishing for Tei and the exiles. But Rathnor’s plans for war soon escalate and thwart any chance of peace.

Brogan’s position on the Assembly is uncertain as rumours circulate that he is an exiled spy.

After an attempt on his life, Farrell is more determined than ever to build a home for his people on Stone Haven. But the council have their sights set on Kalaya and Farrell struggles to steer them from war.

As trouble brews within and outside forces gather against them, can the exiles keep their hold on the magic, or will this spell the end of Kalaya and its people?

The Sentinel’s Reign is a heroic fantasy. If you like character-driven adventures then you will love The Sentinel’s Reign.

This is the second book in the Silent Sea Chronicles trilogy and follows on from The Lost Sentinel.

Add to Goodreads bookshelf

Excerpt

‘We’re on the verge of civil war, now’s not the time to try to repopulate the bloodline. We need to act or there won’t be an island left for the children to live on.’

‘I’m just one person, one more mystic…’

‘Stop lying to yourself, Tei. You have a talent for this; you’ve proved it before and Hafender would vouch for you to join his team again.’

She threw up her hands. ‘I wish you’d all stop interfering in my life. I don’t want to leave Turrak or be forced to have another protector. I don’t want to watch my friends killed. I’ve seen enough death.’

‘There isn’t a choice, don’t you see? Staying in Turrak isn’t the solution, because the enemy will come here. They’ll come for us and destroy us if we don’t put up a fight.’

His eyes bore into hers, angry pits that showed a truth she couldn’t deny. ‘Then when you’re watching your friends murdered, you can reflect on this day, the day you decided to give up.’

Connect with Suzanne

Website   |   Twitter   |   Facebook   |   Goodreads   |   Amazon Author page

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Big thanks to Suzanne for agreeing to this guest interview.  I hope you enjoyed her answers.  Do make sure to check out her blog and social media links.

As always, if you have any questions or queries, please do leave them in the section below.

I’ll be back tomorrow, with a new Blogger Series post! 🙂

Happy writing

Ari

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