Hello! Today I am very happy to have author, Suzie Jay! Let’s jump right in!

Q: How long have you been writing either as a hobby or professionally?

 A: Hi there, I’m happy to be here. I have been writing professionally for about 6 months now. It’s always been a hobby though. I think I read books and wrote stories before I was potty trained (was that too much information?).

Q: What inspired you to get into writing?

A: Writing was always my passion but the thought of being an author was always a dream that I didn’t see as obtainable. Recently I had a really cool story idea and I had quit my job as a school teacher to raise my youngest two children so the timing was perfect to have a go. So this is me… having a go. Fingers crossed.

Q: What are some of the challenges of your work?

A: Time is always the biggest challenge. I have six kids and two are only babies. There is always someone needing food, to be changed or just a listening ear. The only time I can focus is in the middle of the night and by then I’m usually fighting for the pillows.

Q: What are some of the rewarding aspects of your work?

A: Well I got my first ever fan mail the other day. I tried to act professional and gave the woman a mature response but I was doing the ‘running man’ dance moves in my kitchen while I typed (Shh don’t tell her). That was very rewarding.

Q: What is a typical day like for you? Or are there no typical days?

A: Change the babies, feed the babies and repeat. We have also just moved house so my days are consumed with unpacking a seemingly endless pile of boxes.

Q: What compelled you to write your first book?

A: I was walking home from the shops and inspiration struck. I thought, wouldn’t it be great to write a book about a woman as weird as me? So I did… although I’m sure she is a lot less sarcastic than I am.

Q: What are you working on at the moment? A: I was walking home from the shops and inspiration struck. I thought, wouldn’t it be great to write a book about a woman as weird as me? So I did… although I’m sure she is a lot less sarcastic than I am.

A: I have just started writing a novel titled ‘Friendship duties.’ It’s about all the things you do in friendships to support each other. Things that are expected from your closest girlfriends, such as the old’ if I hate them, you hate them. If my bestie is having issues with someone, I’m having issues with someone. You know all the girly stuff.

Q: What are you currently reading?

A: I have just finished reading Eventus by SJ Hermann. It’s a short story and as I am a fan of his I thought I would check it out. I shouldn’t admit this but I am also reading Fools Rush In. An April fools day anthology. I am actually a part of the anthology and have a story in there but haven’t yet finished reading all the other stories. Some of them are so funny, I’m really enjoying it.

Q: If you could live in one of your books, which one would you live in? A: I have just finished reading Eventus by SJ Hermann. It’s a short story and as I am a fan of his I thought I would check it out. I shouldn’t admit this but I am also reading Fools Rush In. An April fools day anthology. I am actually a part of the anthology and have a story in there but haven’t yet finished reading all the other stories. Some of them are so funny, I’m really enjoying it.

A: I would live in my Fools Rush in Anthology story. It’s called Operation: Tom Foolery. It’s set in New York which is somewhere I have always wanted to go so that’s where I would live if I could.

Q: How do you balance out the writer’s life and the rest of life? Do you get up early? Stay up late? Ignore friends and family for certain periods of time?

A: No, not at all. I am random in life and in writing. I could never be accused of being premeditated because I’m just not organized enough. Some nights I will still be up writing at 5am other times I will be in bed by 10pm and sometimes I don’t go to bed at all. I usually just potter around and then suddenly I’ll get on a writing roll and I will neglect the housework, the children, the dog and my mother just to get it all down as quickly as I can. Okay I might not really neglect the children but I consider it.

Q: Who is your favorite author and what is your favorite genre to read?

A: I love Jodi Picoult and Marian Keyes who, let me just add follows me on Twitter. I know right? I squealed about that as well and cried and woke my husband up to tell him. He asked if she was someone I went to school with. Really? My favorite genre is Chick Lit and Memoirs.

Q: Where you have lived and what you have experienced can influence your writing in many ways. Are there any specific locations or experiences that have popped up in your books?

A: It’s funny you should ask that. I am Australian yet I usually set my books in America yet I sound British when I write. If you can make any sense of that, you are smarter than I am (that isn’t really saying much though.)

Q: What do you do when you’re not working?

A: I am always working. I am either working around the house or I am writing. I am a huge movie buff though so once in a blue moon I will sneak off to the cinemas and I love going for drives along the beach as well.

Q: What is your writing space like? Do you have a designated space? What does it look like? On the couch, laptop, desk? Music? Lighting? Typing? Handwriting?

A: A bit of everything. Usually the couch or the dining room table. I have a little office space set up in the new house that I was initially very excited about but 1 month in and I haven’t sat there once. I think it’s because I would have my back to the stairs and the door. What can I say? I’m a writer, my imagination runs wild. As far as how I write, I have notes on my computer, napkins, my phone and I even wrote a few words on toilet paper once. Inspiration strikes in the funniest of places.

Q: Is there anyone who has inspired, motivated, encouraged or supported your work?

A: I am constantly inspired. It isn’t by one particular person though, when I see people out achieving their dreams, that’s inspiring. When I see two people deeply in love, that’s inspiring. Becoming a writer has really shown me those that are supporting me. My family and friends have been great. I have also found a bunch of women who are my people. They are called the writing Wenches and they are hilarious, knowledgeable, generous and straight out freakin’ amazing I’m not sure how I got accepted in. I am a lucky girl.

Q: What other professions have you had?

A: I have been a school teacher, a cleaner, a baker and cake decorator, A food van operator, A 10 pin bowling coach, a factory worker and a secret shopper just to name a few. Hey I told you I was unpredictable.

Q: It’s one thing to write a book and another to edit it. How do you feel about the editing process? What was it like to edit your book?

A: Oh my gosh how could you speak such evil words? Just as we were having such a nice chat. I write what sounds right to me. I write how I like to read. This doesn’t always comply with writing rules. Actually, it rarely complies with any rules. Editors must hate me and sometimes the feeling is mutual but we get through and usually the book is better for it.

Q: Do you have a favorite brand, flavor, type of coffee?

A: I don’t drink coffee… see, a writer who doesn’t drink coffee. I’m a strange one alright. I love Coca-Cola though. It’s all I drink, yes, even for breakfast.

Thank you so much for your time. I wish you the very best of luck! Let’s chat again soon.

 A: Thank you I would love to come back and see you again soon. It’s been fun J

Suzie Jay is a mum of six who lives in Australia with her delicious husband and band of little misfits. She is a former school teacher who escaped to torture the world by sharing what’s inside her head. Fools Rush in- an April Fools Day Anthology is her first published work and it will be followed closely by her debut novel: Walk on the wild Side. The reinvention of Violet Monte which will be out in May of 2015.

 Amazon Author page: http://www.amazon.com/Suzie-Jay/e/B00PAUED26/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_5

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