Ask the Author: Susanne Dunlap
Answered Questions (18)
Susanne Dunlap
Hi Anasia,
I'm so glad you liked it! There is a sequel—I'm currently re-editing it and giving it a new cover and plan to re-publish it soon. If you want to be notified when, sign up for my e-mail list at https://www.orphansoftolosa.com/newsl....
I'm so glad you liked it! There is a sequel—I'm currently re-editing it and giving it a new cover and plan to re-publish it soon. If you want to be notified when, sign up for my e-mail list at https://www.orphansoftolosa.com/newsl....
Susanne Dunlap
Hi Kimberly, Those were the two books I "published" myself, so I only really knew how to do it through Amazon. Let me think about your questions!
Susanne Dunlap
Hi Kimberly,
I'm not sure I understand your question. I've never used the Nook app, so I'm not familiar with the difference between it and the Kindle app. Could you explain? The Musician's Daughter should be available in print, but the Starling never was (I published it myself and put it up for a limited time—I'm thinking of going back and editing it again:).
I'm not sure I understand your question. I've never used the Nook app, so I'm not familiar with the difference between it and the Kindle app. Could you explain? The Musician's Daughter should be available in print, but the Starling never was (I published it myself and put it up for a limited time—I'm thinking of going back and editing it again:).
Susanne Dunlap
Hi Laura,
I took down the Mozart Conspiracy for a few complicated reasons. I'm exploring some different publishing options, and may put it up again at some point. Thanks for asking, and sorry it took me so long to reply.
I took down the Mozart Conspiracy for a few complicated reasons. I'm exploring some different publishing options, and may put it up again at some point. Thanks for asking, and sorry it took me so long to reply.
Susanne Dunlap
Hi Halls,
The Academie was born of a tiny piece of information I discovered quite by accident, that Eliza Monroe, Hortense de Beauharnais, and Caroline Bonaparte all attended the same French boarding school. And that period, when Napoleon was on his way to becoming emperor but not quite, always fascinated me. I wanted to write a story about how being in such a volatile time and place, with such strong characters, might shape a young girl's view of life.
Thanks for asking!
The Academie was born of a tiny piece of information I discovered quite by accident, that Eliza Monroe, Hortense de Beauharnais, and Caroline Bonaparte all attended the same French boarding school. And that period, when Napoleon was on his way to becoming emperor but not quite, always fascinated me. I wanted to write a story about how being in such a volatile time and place, with such strong characters, might shape a young girl's view of life.
Thanks for asking!
Susanne Dunlap
Hi Cintia,
I hear you. Unfortunately, rejection is just part of life when you're a writer. That doesn't mean you shouldn't write, though! The best thing you can do is not worry about what the industry's doing, just work hard on being the best writer you can be. Read lots of books about writing. Be super critical when you go back and look at what you're writing. No one writes like you, and it's impossible to predict what the market wants. Editors want good stories they think they can sell. Simple as that.
Concentrate on the story: what's the journey your character goes through, and why should the reader care? I can't stress enough that starting with a really strong story with a unique perspective that inspires you to work really hard is absolutely the only way to have a chance of being published.
I get discouraged all the time, but I just keep writing. And I keep trying to be a better writer: I take workshops, I read about writing, etc. etc. It's really important.
Thanks for asking the question!
Susanne
I hear you. Unfortunately, rejection is just part of life when you're a writer. That doesn't mean you shouldn't write, though! The best thing you can do is not worry about what the industry's doing, just work hard on being the best writer you can be. Read lots of books about writing. Be super critical when you go back and look at what you're writing. No one writes like you, and it's impossible to predict what the market wants. Editors want good stories they think they can sell. Simple as that.
Concentrate on the story: what's the journey your character goes through, and why should the reader care? I can't stress enough that starting with a really strong story with a unique perspective that inspires you to work really hard is absolutely the only way to have a chance of being published.
I get discouraged all the time, but I just keep writing. And I keep trying to be a better writer: I take workshops, I read about writing, etc. etc. It's really important.
Thanks for asking the question!
Susanne
Susanne Dunlap
Hi Hails! I'm glad you've read my book and are planning to read another. What's really odd is that I was supposed to be a musician, a pianist, not a writer... That is more of an influence in The Musician's Daughter than it was in Anastasia's Secret. It was really the research I did when I was working toward my PhD that gave me the urge to tell stories, to try to interpret things differently or show them in a new light. I was a late bloomer in writing fiction! But now, I just keep going.
I hope you enjoy The Musician's Daughter!
I hope you enjoy The Musician's Daughter!
Susanne Dunlap
Hi Natasha, I think I just answered your second question. As to my favorite period, that's a tough one. I've been working lately in early 20th century New York, and I've really been enjoying it. But I think any period I dig into soon becomes my favorite.
Susanne Dunlap
Thank you so much for this! I'm sorry I've been so late in answering. I've been dealing with some major family issues over the past year, and only just starting to come back to this world.
There are so many people from history I would love to meet, it's hard to say. I think Oscar Wilde might be one. Also, Queen Elizabeth I.
There are so many people from history I would love to meet, it's hard to say. I think Oscar Wilde might be one. Also, Queen Elizabeth I.
Susanne Dunlap
Hi Lois, Sorry for the delay in answering! I've been handling some family issues and am only just coming back to this world.
They're not all the same model, ironically! I don't know who they were, but I love all the covers. Thanks for asking!
They're not all the same model, ironically! I don't know who they were, but I love all the covers. Thanks for asking!
Susanne Dunlap
Hi Chloe, no, it is not in print. My publisher chose to publish Anastasia's Secret instead of the sequel to the Musician's Daughter. I eventually decided to self-publish on Kindle. You can get a free Kindle app for your computer, however, and read it there. Thanks for asking!
Susanne Dunlap
Hi C.K.,
There's so much written about the Romanovs, but only a few bits that really apply to Anastasia's life—despite all the hype, and the myths surrounding it. I read pretty much everything I could get my hands on, especially accounts by people who actually knew them. I don't know how much time that took, but I always continue researching as I write, so I suppose it's a couple of years. There was also a wonderful website that has a lot of complete texts online, and links to other info as well, but the link appears to be broken (it's alexanderpalace.org).
There's so much written about the Romanovs, but only a few bits that really apply to Anastasia's life—despite all the hype, and the myths surrounding it. I read pretty much everything I could get my hands on, especially accounts by people who actually knew them. I don't know how much time that took, but I always continue researching as I write, so I suppose it's a couple of years. There was also a wonderful website that has a lot of complete texts online, and links to other info as well, but the link appears to be broken (it's alexanderpalace.org).
Susanne Dunlap
I just keep writing, even if it's terrible. It's like running a lot of water to flush out a clog.
Susanne Dunlap
The best thing about being a writer is meeting and connecting with other writers and readers. You have a common bond, something important that links you together.
Susanne Dunlap
Look for and listen to good criticism. Keep writing even if you get discouraged. Don't quit your day job!
Susanne Dunlap
I've got a couple of different projects going: finishing up my 13th-century Languedoc Trilogy called THE ORPHANS OF TOLOSA, and trying to complete a rough draft of a novel that takes place in 1910 New York, called WHITE POISON. I'm also writing something more contemporary.
Susanne Dunlap
I just write. Sometimes it's not inspired, it's just hard work. But it's worth it in the end.
Susanne Dunlap
I discovered a little historical fact: That Josephine's daughter from her first marriage, Hortense de Beauharnais, Napoleon's sister Caroline, and Eliza Monroe, daughter of the future President Monroe of the US, all went to the same French boarding school.
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