Ask the Author: Susan Lynn Solomon
Answered Questions (7)
Susan Lynn Solomon
Years ago a dear friend disappeared. There has been no word from him since
Susan Lynn Solomon
My latest book ( novelette) is The Day the Music Died. Years ago in my benighted younger days I was a songwriter and performer with a rock band. When thinking about this novelette, my mind went back to that time and to a singer I'd know who walked off stage once night during a performance. This started me wondering what would happen if she suddenly showed up in her home town years later. In a murder mystery, I knew she'd have be killed, and I knew the characters that would be involved. The title and everything else just flowed from that.
Susan Lynn Solomon
I've never know where the inspiration comes from. I've been writing for a number of years, some of it serious, some less so, and a few semi-autobiographical pieces. These have been mostly short stories published in online journals. As to the Emlyn Goode Mystery series of stories, that grew out of a dare. I was working on a short story about a woman who finds out she's descended from Sarah Goode (hanged for witchcraft in Salem). After a writer's group session, the moderator dared me to turn it into a mystery. That resulted in The Magic of Murder, my first published novel.
Susan Lynn Solomon
I'm currently writing a new Emlyn Goode Mystery. In this one I've killed some members of my writers' group, and one of them will go to jail for it. It's okay, though they've each volunteered for what I've done to them. I hope to have the first draft finished sometime next week,
Susan Lynn Solomon
There are three pieces of advice--each has helped me develop as a writer:
1. Read. Read constantly. Read all kinds of books. See how other authors see the world and who the phrase what they see.
2. Write. It doesn't matter what, just start writing. Tell yourself a story, and worry about whether to outline it later.
3. Share your work with other writers, and listen carefully to their critiques. You don't have agree with everything, but you shoult hear it all.
1. Read. Read constantly. Read all kinds of books. See how other authors see the world and who the phrase what they see.
2. Write. It doesn't matter what, just start writing. Tell yourself a story, and worry about whether to outline it later.
3. Share your work with other writers, and listen carefully to their critiques. You don't have agree with everything, but you shoult hear it all.
Susan Lynn Solomon
I've come to believe the best thing is the people I've met. Some good friendships have developed with other writers I've worked with, and with people I've met and spoken with at book signings.
Also, since my natural inclination is to get into trouble of one kind or another, the time I spend writing keeps me out of trouble.
Also, since my natural inclination is to get into trouble of one kind or another, the time I spend writing keeps me out of trouble.
Susan Lynn Solomon
Writers block happens to all authors. Over time, I've learned not to worry about it. I put the story I'm working on aside, and spend time running errands or being with friends. When I do this, inevitably I'll see or hear something to puts a spur to my imagination. Sometimes the answer comes while I sleep. While working on my new novel I hit a road block. Two days later I wok up, and had the solution--it was as simple as changing a character's name.
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