Ask the Author: Suzanne Kelman
Answered Questions (17)
Suzanne Kelman
Hi Christine,
There are going to be six books in the series altogether. And yes, all your questions will be answered when I write Charlotte's story. All the books take place over the same time period, so it is a little different from a traditional series where the next book picks up after the end of the one before. In my series, you will meet all the orphans as adults in the contemporary story as well as the Valettes back in the wartime story. Book one is a story about Isabelle and young/adult Sophie. Book two is about Madeline and young/adult Kurt's story. I know the prequel does tease Charlotte's story, but I wanted my readers to meet all of the orphans as children before we move forward to the climax of the series. So hang in there; there are a lot more adventures to have with this series. I'm glad you are enjoying it, And I look forward to hearing your feedback on the next book out in Spring next year.
There are going to be six books in the series altogether. And yes, all your questions will be answered when I write Charlotte's story. All the books take place over the same time period, so it is a little different from a traditional series where the next book picks up after the end of the one before. In my series, you will meet all the orphans as adults in the contemporary story as well as the Valettes back in the wartime story. Book one is a story about Isabelle and young/adult Sophie. Book two is about Madeline and young/adult Kurt's story. I know the prequel does tease Charlotte's story, but I wanted my readers to meet all of the orphans as children before we move forward to the climax of the series. So hang in there; there are a lot more adventures to have with this series. I'm glad you are enjoying it, And I look forward to hearing your feedback on the next book out in Spring next year.
Suzanne Kelman
Hi Stephanie,
I’m so glad you enjoyed it. I have just finished the next book and it will go to my publisher next month so we can starting the editing process. I believe they are trying to get this out to readers in the summer. Though I can’t remember the date. In the meantime you could read The Paris Orphans it is a free prequel to the whole series and is available on Amazon.
Happy Reading
Suzanne x
I’m so glad you enjoyed it. I have just finished the next book and it will go to my publisher next month so we can starting the editing process. I believe they are trying to get this out to readers in the summer. Though I can’t remember the date. In the meantime you could read The Paris Orphans it is a free prequel to the whole series and is available on Amazon.
Happy Reading
Suzanne x
Suzanne Kelman
I went to the dentist. I needed a root canal.
Suzanne Kelman
Marilia, I love this question because it can be such a stumbling block to so many of us. This may be a surprise to you, but I still don't see myself as a writer even after publishing 6 books :-) I found that using the title "storyteller" sat more comfortably for me. Because in my mind, writers had it all together; they knew their craft, sat at large oak desks, and wrote from 9-5. None of this really felt like me. But in calling myself a storyteller, it sounds more adventurous, spontaneous; there was room to get things wrong. It is all so more flexible. There are lots of ways to be a storyteller. Through theatre, dance, art. All of which I also enjoy and do. So though I "write" for a living right now, if people asked me what I do, I tell them I am a storyteller. :-)
Suzanne Kelman
Hi Donna,
There is always hope that A View Across the Rooftops will be made into a film or a min series. There is already a screenplay that I send out to producers when they request it. It is just waiting for the right fit.
Suzanne x
There is always hope that A View Across the Rooftops will be made into a film or a min series. There is already a screenplay that I send out to producers when they request it. It is just waiting for the right fit.
Suzanne x
Suzanne Kelman
Hi Monique,
Thank you for your question and for taking such an interest in the true story behind A View Across the Rooftops. Unfortunately, we are not sure who the man was who was the inspiration for Josef. My writing partner of the screenplay was doing so much research at the time she couldn't remember where exactly she read the story, and it was ten years before she told me the story. That was ten years ago, so it was 20 years ago she was doing the research. We did try to find the true story but never managed to track it down. So sorry I can't be more help, I'm glad you found it as compelling as we did.
Have a great day!
Thank you for your question and for taking such an interest in the true story behind A View Across the Rooftops. Unfortunately, we are not sure who the man was who was the inspiration for Josef. My writing partner of the screenplay was doing so much research at the time she couldn't remember where exactly she read the story, and it was ten years before she told me the story. That was ten years ago, so it was 20 years ago she was doing the research. We did try to find the true story but never managed to track it down. So sorry I can't be more help, I'm glad you found it as compelling as we did.
Have a great day!
Suzanne Kelman
Hi Evelyne,
Sorry to just get back to you, I only just saw this post!
Yes, I do get attached to my characters :-) I also have my favorites. When I'm writing comedy that usually means the crazier the better. In my Southlea Bay series, Gladys the waitress was my favourite to write. I never knew what that crazy chick was going to say until my fingers started typing :-0 And yes, they are based on mixtures of real people (people melted together) written to the extream!
Thanks so much for your interest!
Suzanne
Sorry to just get back to you, I only just saw this post!
Yes, I do get attached to my characters :-) I also have my favorites. When I'm writing comedy that usually means the crazier the better. In my Southlea Bay series, Gladys the waitress was my favourite to write. I never knew what that crazy chick was going to say until my fingers started typing :-0 And yes, they are based on mixtures of real people (people melted together) written to the extream!
Thanks so much for your interest!
Suzanne
Suzanne Kelman
Hi Anne. :)
I'm just checking through the final manuscript for the third book, The Rejected Writers' Christmas Wedding, this week and it should be up for preorder in the next few weeks :)
Glad you are enjoying my crazy ladies!
Suzanne
I'm just checking through the final manuscript for the third book, The Rejected Writers' Christmas Wedding, this week and it should be up for preorder in the next few weeks :)
Glad you are enjoying my crazy ladies!
Suzanne
Suzanne Kelman
These are the books on my reading list!
http://summerbookblasts.com
http://summerbookblasts.com
Suzanne Kelman
Hi Kathleen (waving)
So glad you won a copy of the second book. And hope you enjoy both books, I think they as the perfect light, summer read.
I live in a very quirky, creative, close-knit small-town, so all the research is right on my doorstep. I love the way small town community band together to support each other but also have to put up with all the wild and woolly characters that are attracted to this type of community.
For Rejected Writers Take the Stage I actually drew from my own experience having worked in theatre most of my life. Many of the things that happened to them during the rehearsals and the show have actually happened to me or someone I know :-)
Thank you for reaching out, happy summer reading!
Kind Regards
Suzanne
So glad you won a copy of the second book. And hope you enjoy both books, I think they as the perfect light, summer read.
I live in a very quirky, creative, close-knit small-town, so all the research is right on my doorstep. I love the way small town community band together to support each other but also have to put up with all the wild and woolly characters that are attracted to this type of community.
For Rejected Writers Take the Stage I actually drew from my own experience having worked in theatre most of my life. Many of the things that happened to them during the rehearsals and the show have actually happened to me or someone I know :-)
Thank you for reaching out, happy summer reading!
Kind Regards
Suzanne
Suzanne Kelman
Kathy, you and me, both! Ronald was my most favorite character to write. In one of the edits an editor wanted me to cut him completely from the story and I fought for his little Rapscallion self!
I have been thinking how I could bring him back, there may be an opportunity in book three. Book two was more challenging because it is set solely in Southlea Bay. But book three has some potential as they do a trip. Now I have another vote of confidence I may definitely try to make it work :-) So glad you enjoyed the book, it's a really fun series to to write.
I have been thinking how I could bring him back, there may be an opportunity in book three. Book two was more challenging because it is set solely in Southlea Bay. But book three has some potential as they do a trip. Now I have another vote of confidence I may definitely try to make it work :-) So glad you enjoyed the book, it's a really fun series to to write.
Suzanne Kelman
Hi there R. Mark
What a great question :) I actually became a screenwriter by accident. My background is in theatre and was writing a stage script that wasn't working as a stage script and I could only see the story as a movie. So, eventually I gave in and spent time researching how to write it as a screenplay. Within a week of finishing it I had an amazing out of the blue opportunity to go to L.A. And pitch it to producers. That script was eventually optioned and a new career was established for me, a career which I love, but, one I had no idea I was going to persue. Sometime life nudges you that way don't you think? Do you have an interest in screenwriting?
Thanks for connecting with me,
Have a great day!
What a great question :) I actually became a screenwriter by accident. My background is in theatre and was writing a stage script that wasn't working as a stage script and I could only see the story as a movie. So, eventually I gave in and spent time researching how to write it as a screenplay. Within a week of finishing it I had an amazing out of the blue opportunity to go to L.A. And pitch it to producers. That script was eventually optioned and a new career was established for me, a career which I love, but, one I had no idea I was going to persue. Sometime life nudges you that way don't you think? Do you have an interest in screenwriting?
Thanks for connecting with me,
Have a great day!
Suzanne Kelman
I always work on more than one project at a time, normally three or four. This means if I am having trouble with one project I just move to the next giving my subconscious mind time and space to work out the first problem. I very rarely get blocked because I am always doing this. If I'm really stuck, I write anything so I can move on even if it's ridiculous, in fact that often helps break a story problem.
Suzanne Kelman
You get to work in bed in your PJs if you want. Every morning I make a tray of tea and take it to my room. The first hours of my work are normally done in bed, it always feels discordant to go to work this way.
Suzanne Kelman
First, see what you do as a calling, storytellers change the world. Instead of trying to beg the world to read your work realize the world is eager for your voice so write for an excited and willing audience. Find your tribe, read all the time - especially the classics, and remember to waltz with the universe as you create. The bigger story is out there waiting to connect with you and dance, the pressure is not all on you, listen, learn to allow space for a story to develop.
Suzanne Kelman
Right now I am editing book two in the Southlea Bay Series - the follow on book to The Rejected Writers Book Club.
Suzanne Kelman
This book started out as a screenplay I was writing that ended up as a book. I was thinking about how writers often respond to rejection in such a negative vein, as if it that equated to them being failures and I wanted to add a twist on that idea. So the Rejected Writers Book Club was born a gang of gregarious ladies who celebrate in style their rejected manuscripts.
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more