The Big Books of Fall

Ask the Author: Susan Lee Kerr

“Next week is the 150th Anniversary of the Battle of Lissa. I didn't know it was famous until I was researching my book. Research is a voyage of discoveries -- any questions?” Susan Lee Kerr

Answered Questions (6)

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How do you deal with writer’s block?
Susan Lee Kerr At the moment... complete repaint of my office and installation of two sturdy bookcases to replace my previously slippy-sloppy, groaning, leaning, homemade brackets and shelves. Clearing and sorting is excellent psyche renewal.
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What’s the best thing about being a writer?
Susan Lee Kerr Shutting myself away and getting on with the deep deep slog of actually writing -- though sometimes that can be the worst thing about being a writer! I love getting words and sentences right. I love printing out. I even love rewriting. Also, supportive writing friends are a joy.
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What’s your advice for aspiring writers?
Susan Lee Kerr Read a lot! And read things outside your chosen genre to get ideas and see how others write. For a while, join a writing class where you will meet like-minded souls. Hopefully you will form friendships and grow yourself into a supportive group. Be kind and supportive to other writers.
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What are you currently working on?
Susan Lee Kerr I have a completely different novel in mind, and I'm researching aspects of it (fairy tales!). But at present I am recovering from the long work of writing The Extraordinary Dr Epstein -- it was a lot of research and a lot of crafting to be sure the research did not overpower the man and the story.
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How do you get inspired to write?
Susan Lee Kerr Sometimes I just burst to capture something and to share it. I've always wanted to write. Maybe I might have done something else creative, but my father was a dedicated journalist and my mother an avid reader, so it had to be writing for me. It was a long apprenticeship, from copywriting in the beauty industry to freelance feature journalism to non-fiction commissions to teaching to... at last, novels. And poetry.
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Where did you get the idea for your most recent book?
Susan Lee Kerr I've lived with the presence of my illustrious (and probably incorrigible) great grandfather all my life. Ephraim's daughter, Naomi, was my grandmother. She adored her Papa, and told me tales about him. 'Put it all together and you'd have quite a story.' So I finally did!
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