Ask the Author: Susan Z. Ritz
Answered Questions (6)
Susan Z. Ritz
I have two projects on the back burner. The first is a memoir of the years I lived in Dachau, Germany. It has been languishing on the shelf for almost 20 years, waiting for me to get up the courage to dive back into a confusing and painful time in my life. Writing fiction has given me a new way to approach this story, so we'll see! I also have a prequel to A Dream to Die For set on the mystical isle of Java where I lived over 40 years ago.
Susan Z. Ritz
When I'm stuck or uninspired, I turn off the computer and write by hand. I am a big fan of Natalie Goldberg's writing practice. I sit down with a yellow legal pad, give myself a prompt and then go for at least 10 minutes, never taking my pen off the page. I try to find tangents and rabbit holes to explore that take me into new writing territory. I usually find some way back into my story when I give up trying so hard.
Susan Z. Ritz
The best thing about being a writer is that every day I have a new challenge in front of me. Through writing, I figure out what I believe and what I hope for. My mind is naturally scattered and undisciplined, so writing is the only way I know how to tame it!
Susan Z. Ritz
Find a great writing group! Or create one yourself. I have been in a writing group for over 25 years, though the group changes membership now and then. I learned everything I know about fiction by reading and critiquing my fellow writers. Plus, we have a good time together!
My other advice is to find a place and a time to write that suits you best. I don’t write every day, but I wish I did. Your creative subconscious learns to kick in when you do the same thing habitually. It really does! Don’t beat yourself up for not writing but do set weekly goals. My writing group meets bi-weekly, so I always have a deadline to meet and an audience to share with, and that motivates me more than anything else. Writing is hard work, sometimes fun, sometimes not, but it only happens when you put yourself in front of a page on a regular basis.
My other advice is to find a place and a time to write that suits you best. I don’t write every day, but I wish I did. Your creative subconscious learns to kick in when you do the same thing habitually. It really does! Don’t beat yourself up for not writing but do set weekly goals. My writing group meets bi-weekly, so I always have a deadline to meet and an audience to share with, and that motivates me more than anything else. Writing is hard work, sometimes fun, sometimes not, but it only happens when you put yourself in front of a page on a regular basis.
Susan Z. Ritz
I have always been a writer. In fact, I can’t remember NOT writing. I have several bookshelves filled with journals that date back to high school. I was quite shy then, and I found writing was the best way to express my voice. I kept writing while I studied and worked overseas for several years, honing my skills and preserving my impressions. As a stay-at-home mom of three, freelancing for local papers and newsletters kept me sharp and also earned me a bit of money. Writing, whether fiction, journalism or essays, has continued to be my way of figuring out my own life and making sense of the world around me.
Susan Z. Ritz
Years ago I found myself caught in a tug-of-war between my therapist and the man I loved. The therapist was charismatic and powerful and almost everyone I knew was in his thrall, so breaking away was difficult. Luckily, the boyfriend was a wise and patient man and is now my husband.
I was also influenced by the visionary Jaron Lanier, the inventor of virtual reality. His vision for uniting people through technology led me to the character Rowan McNeil.
I was also influenced by the visionary Jaron Lanier, the inventor of virtual reality. His vision for uniting people through technology led me to the character Rowan McNeil.
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