Ask the Author: Susan I. Spieth
Answered Questions (15)
Susan I. Spieth
I'd go to 18th Century Scotland and find Jamie Fraser, before Claire Randall gets there. (Oh, and I would have done it about thirty years ago...)
Susan I. Spieth
America implodes.
Susan I. Spieth
Well, summer is almost over now, but here's what I read over the summer (actually I listen to audio books as that way I can multi-task):
Glass Castle
Educated
Twelve Years A Slave
Where the Crawdads Sing
(Probably should be more, but given that I also write, I think it's pretty good.)
Glass Castle
Educated
Twelve Years A Slave
Where the Crawdads Sing
(Probably should be more, but given that I also write, I think it's pretty good.)
Susan I. Spieth
ON LABOR DAY!
Susan I. Spieth
Read, read, read. Write, write, write.
Susan I. Spieth
Uh. This is a problem. I have issues getting inspired. Therefore, I try not to worry about being motivated. If I wait until I'm inspired to write, then it will never happen. I find that I just have to GET MY BUTT IN THE CHAIR. Or, in my case, I sit on a sofa and type on my laptop. The point is this: when I write, when I actually set aside time and begin the process--that's when the inspiration comes.
That--and going to West Point reunions--especially women's reunions which my classmates plan every year or two. Those events give me the opportunity to re-hear events which help tell the Gray Girl stories.
That--and going to West Point reunions--especially women's reunions which my classmates plan every year or two. Those events give me the opportunity to re-hear events which help tell the Gray Girl stories.
Susan I. Spieth
All of my books, so far, are based on my experiences as a cadet at West Point from 1981-1985. Women were still very new to the military academies and those transitional years were very difficult for me. In the thirty plus years since my graduation, I have learned of the many struggles by other women who attended West Point. Additionally, the West Point experience has changed entirely since those years. My books are mainly intended to do three things: 1) to preserve the history of cadet life during the early years with women cadets; 2) to share the stories of women cadets at West Point and; 3) to be a good read so that you want to turn the page and find out what happens next.
Susan I. Spieth
Probably the couple from COLD MOUNTAIN...forgot their names. Their entire relationship is based on a few short encounters and a few letters back and forth during the civil war. Otherwise, we just get to see two characters trying to survive and find some way back to each other. Their relationship develops more in your mind than on the pages and it makes the reader yearn for their reunion, probably as much as they do.
Susan I. Spieth
Edie, Congratulations on your son! It's almost unbearable for me to imagine the class of 2021!
We've had a busy few months moving from WA to PA, and we are just moving into a house on Saturday...so will have lots on my plate for a while yet.
However, I am plotting the final book in the Gray Girl series and hope to get writing soon. If all goes well, I hope to have it out by early 2018.
Sorry for the delay!!
We've had a busy few months moving from WA to PA, and we are just moving into a house on Saturday...so will have lots on my plate for a while yet.
However, I am plotting the final book in the Gray Girl series and hope to get writing soon. If all goes well, I hope to have it out by early 2018.
Sorry for the delay!!
Susan I. Spieth
Well, the answer can be found in the third Gray Girl Series book, due out very soon! Stay tuned!
Susan I. Spieth
Vanessa, I'm happy to inform you that Gray Girl III will be out soon! Stay tuned!
Susan I. Spieth
Just got it back from editor...so another re-write round....hope to have it up and running by end of Jan. Still need cover finalized too. Also, I sent to Tracy Seymour for a big picture read...but haven't heard back for a while, so I need to just move on with the feedback I have. It's a bit different than GG--little more coming of age...
Happy Thanksgiving!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Susan I. Spieth
For me, it's an opportunity to exercise my creativity and to share a piece of history in story form. I also get to set my own hours and have ownership over my work.
Susan I. Spieth
I will often just keep writing...write in a journal, write a letter to a friend, write an blog post, write a "to-do" list, write, write, write. And in between the extraneous writing, I garden, play tennis, go running, read and/or do anything that I enjoy or that relaxes me. I try not to worry about it...it's a common problem. Eventually, the inspiration comes back. Thankfully.
Susan I. Spieth
I'm almost finished with the first draft of the sequel to Gray Girl. This book continues Jan Wishart's journey through yearling (sophomore) year at West Point in the early 1980s. Fictional, yet authentic, this sequel depicts some of the challenges we faced during those years when the United States Military Academy transitioned to women cadets. And of course, there is a surprise ending!
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