Ask the Author: Susan M.B. Preston
Answered Questions (10)
Susan M.B. Preston
Something completely different from the genre I write in... "Why did a young woman from a Scottish border town leave the green hills of her homeland to settle in hot, dusty, isolated Perth?"
Susan M.B. Preston
Since I am deep in the throes of book 5, I guess my favorite characters are in my own books at the moment. Benjamin and Rachel take the honors at the moment. I read other books - and enjoy them, but when working on another book that is what tends to absorb me.
Guess I am weird!
Guess I am weird!
Susan M.B. Preston
Hi Diane, Yes I have read some of Francine Rivers' books. I enjoy reading as well as writing,
Generally, her books have the 'hidden' call to faith whereas mine are purely historical fiction. If people feel prompted to do more, that is God at work.
A publisher I met recently said she didn't like Christian books because they were disguised 'altar calls'.
Even so, I enjoy Francine Rivers' characterizations. She is a good story-teller, but, I think, without the deep understanding of the faith and practices of very early Christians.
Hope you didn't wait too long for a reply. I am rebuilding my website and checking book 4 in my Apostle John series.
Generally, her books have the 'hidden' call to faith whereas mine are purely historical fiction. If people feel prompted to do more, that is God at work.
A publisher I met recently said she didn't like Christian books because they were disguised 'altar calls'.
Even so, I enjoy Francine Rivers' characterizations. She is a good story-teller, but, I think, without the deep understanding of the faith and practices of very early Christians.
Hope you didn't wait too long for a reply. I am rebuilding my website and checking book 4 in my Apostle John series.
Susan M.B. Preston
Now this is a difficult one. In Hold the Faith, Benjamin grows from what I think of now, as an exuberant puppy, into a man who is being forced to question his faith.
Readers identified him as the 'hero' and have wanted to know what happens to him throughout the series. His parents, Naomi and Samuel are consistent figures - but I guess Benjamin has the most attention. From the beginning of the series, I have been working to bring about the 'result' for Benjamin.
Look for some surprises, and a lot of action, as many things begin to culminate in book 4 - Keep the Faith.
(I am making it ready for my editor now.)
Susan
Readers identified him as the 'hero' and have wanted to know what happens to him throughout the series. His parents, Naomi and Samuel are consistent figures - but I guess Benjamin has the most attention. From the beginning of the series, I have been working to bring about the 'result' for Benjamin.
Look for some surprises, and a lot of action, as many things begin to culminate in book 4 - Keep the Faith.
(I am making it ready for my editor now.)
Susan
Susan M.B. Preston
Book 3 in the series was written in draft around the same time as the other two. In my experience, with a series, the characters often direct the action, so the next book is in mind when editing the last one. Other than that, for my blogs, a post can be triggered by just about anything,
Susan M.B. Preston
I am about to start going over the first draft of book 3 in the Apostle John series. Other than that, I have two blogs that keep me busy.
Hold the Faith - https://holdthefaith.wordpress.com/
and https://religioushistoricalfiction.wo...
Hold the Faith - https://holdthefaith.wordpress.com/
and https://religioushistoricalfiction.wo...
Susan M.B. Preston
Inspiration comes in many forms. If it doesn't come, I wait. To try to force writing results in 'wooden' characters, responses or scenes.
Writing the blogs, and reading the mail I receive, is also a source of inspiration.
Writing the blogs, and reading the mail I receive, is also a source of inspiration.
Susan M.B. Preston
Don't become discouraged. Keep plodding on, the book is not finished after the first draft. I doubt it is ever finished. I could still find something to change in my books... but there is a cut-off point.
Susan M.B. Preston
The characters become 'friends'.
Susan M.B. Preston
Probably best to do something else, then come back to the writing. If still no inspiration, write something else.
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