Thursday, November 22, 2012

Author Spotlight - Suzanna Ross


More Minx success? Hey, why not? I'm delighted to welcome another minx to the author spotlight spot today, yes, it's lovely Suz, also known as Suzanne Jones/Suzanna Ross Jones! Suz's new release, Trust in Me, has had a paper release as a My Weekly pocket novel in the summer, and is now available on Amazon as an ebook!

Now, straight on to the questions:
Tell our readers a little bit about yourself.
I’ve written for as long as I can remember, but only started to be published regularly a few years ago. Funnily enough, around the time I met the Minxes. I wonder if there’s a connection.
I write short stories, articles...anything, really, but my first love is romance.
I live in Scotland, not far from Edinburgh. With dramatic hills, mysterious lochs and romantic castles on my doorstep, I can’t help but be inspired.

What number book is this? First? 100th? 200th?(Nora only!)
First book published. Nth written. I honestly can’t remember how many manuscripts I’ve finished – I have a submissions book that goes back a number of years, but I know there were at least a couple before I started keeping records.

Everyone who writes knows it's not easy - what methods do you use to keep at it on days when it would be so much easier to go shoe shopping?
I’m never tempted to buy shoes – I have horrible feet. Honestly. I was so disappointed not to get a part in the new Hobbit film because they wouldn’t have needed make-up (although, thankfully, they’re not hairy). You’re right, though, it is very difficult to write some days and I find ideas need to stew: I can’t force a story and I have to let it form in its own time

What is your top promo tip for other authors?
I’m afraid I don’t have any tips for promo – I’m still trying to find my own way. If anyone has any advice for me I’d be very grateful.

How does writing fit into your day? Or does your day fit in around your writing?
Between a two-hour-a-day school run and the day job, writing has to fit in around me at the moment. I dream of a time I can sit at home in lounging pyjamas and please myself – which would mean I’d write – but I suspect that’s a long way off.

Do you write every day?I think about my wip every day. And that’s sort of writing, isn’t it? I did start a spreadsheet at the beginning of the year, to keep a note of my daily totals. There are gaps for days where I haven’t actually increased my word count, but I’ve managed just over 140,000 words since 1st January. And they’re mostly redrafted, ready to go/sold words, so I’m happy with that.

What was the most fun part of writing this book? 
Finishing it. I don’t know who said ‘I don’t like writing, but I like having written,’ but that’s much how I feel at times. Actually, forget that, the fun moments have to be when I got the covers. And I’m very lucky that this particular book will have three covers in total: The My Weekly Pocket Novel cover, the E-scape e-version cover – and, sometime next year, the large print cover. I don’t think I’ll ever tire of the thrill of seeing a cover with my name on it for the first time. Is that sad?

Have you ever written a hero you'd be happy to run off with?
Yes, my Biker Boy, Nick Rudd. Even though he’s way too young and he’s spoken for. Well, actually, I wouldn’t do that to his lovely heroine, Emma. But, if he was free, I’d run off with him in a heartbeat. He’ll be hitting the shelves in the pages of a My Weekly/Bridges&Knight Caress novel in January. And I hope to have him online at some point after that. Although I’m a little worried people won’t love him as much as I do.

Writing snacks – what are your favourites?
Today, my writing snack of choice is a big bag of Starburst. Normally it would be something chocolate. And, if anyone’s offering, I’m in the mood to accept a box of violet creams. (And then I wonder why I’m fat.)

Do you have any tips, tricks or sacrificial rituals you do when you hit a story roadblock?
If I’m really stuck, I’ll put the story to one side and work on something else. Short stories, normally. The subconscious is generally wonderful and I find that if I don’t fret about the problem, the answer will arrive as if by magic.

Thank you so much for having me here today. It’s odd being on this side of things, but it’s been fun, too.
You can find out more:
On my own blog: here 

When faced with the prospect of being thrown out her home by a handsome stranger, Rosie Farnham's solution is to refuse to budge. Never mind that multi-millionaire Theo has every right to demand vacant possession - or that he's as gorgeous as sin - she will not leave her home just because he's brandishing ownership papers.


As Rosie refused to move out of the Manor, Theo decides he'll move in. This is no great hardship - even though she's prickly as a hedgehog, there's something about Rosie he finds intriguing.


Can the undeniable attraction between them bring their lives into a new stage?
Trust In Me is available from: Amazon.co.uk , Amazon.com




10 comments:

Sally Clements said...

one bit leapt out at me from this author spotlight - 140,000 words since 1st Jan? WOW! Congratulations with your debut, Suz!

Romy Sommer said...

Double wow on the word count, Suz.

Since you've shared with us your sales in the years since we Minxes joined, I really think you deserve you Most Sales tiara.

So proud of you!

Kat said...

Good to see you take the spotlight, Suz!

Even your interview made me laugh, your humour comes out in everything you write.

Proud of you, lots of luck with the book!

Jodie
x

Teresa Ashby said...

It's lovely to see you in the spotlight. I can't wait to read about Nick :-)

And a wow from me too on the word count - that's fantastic! xx

Caroline said...

As Teresa says, it's about time you were in the spotlight. So pleased for you! And wow! What a word count - I'm lucky if I've done 10th of your output this year. Go girl. Caroline x

Suzanne Ross Jones said...

Thanks, Sally. And I'm positive you'll have a bigger word count - you just haven't been nerdy enough to set up a spreadsheet :0)

Bless you, Romy. I'm pretty sure I don't deserve it, but part of me is hoping there really is a tiara :0)

Thank you, lovely Jodie. Surpringly, I'm quite enjoying my day in the sun :0)

Thank you, Teresa - I really hope you'll love Nick as much as I do :0)

Thank you so much, Caroline - and go you, too - I know what you have written will be fab :0)

xx

Carla Swafford said...

Congratulations! I love reading about those who worked so hard finally meeting success. Hugs.

Suzanne Ross Jones said...

Thank you, Carla. xx

Maria said...

Great to see you as a published authro Suz. I'm so proud of you!

Suzanne Ross Jones said...

Thanks, Maria :0) xx