Connie: Welcome to Once Upon A Romance, Susan! Hopefully we’ll talk about both your writing and your life in general. Before we do though, would you tell a little about yourself, what you’re working on and when we can expect to see it on the shelves?

Susan: Hi Connie, and thank you so much for inviting me! I am passionate about romance- and no wonder... I met my husband of almost thirty years on a Monday, by Friday we were engaged, and just three months later we were married. I now have three wonderful children and have warned all of them not to try the same thing with me! I can still remember my poor mother’s reaction when she received my phone call. "You’ve known him how long?"

In answer to the second part of your question… right now I am working on an exciting project along with several other best-selling Harlequin authors. This is a series of eight stand-alone books involving "The richest royal family in the world." The glamour and passion will be intense, and the setting fabulous. Each book is set on the imaginary island of Niroli, which can be found somewhere in the Mediterranean. My book, the fifth of eight books in The Royal House of Niroli series will be released in 2007 and is entitled, Expecting His Royal Baby.

Connie: Hmm. Something for all the fans to look forward to!

I can’t pass this question up, Susan. What a fabulous opportunity you had! Bidding on an auction to become a writer for a day with Penny Jordan! I can only imagine that’s not a day you’ll forget. Could you tell us what the day was like? What went on?

Susan: Penny Jordan is one of the kindest and most generous people I have ever met, though of course I didn’t know that as I prepared to meet her for the first time. I was quite apprehensive as you can imagine, especially as I had been to the library to check up just how many books Penny had written. I think the total stood at around 150 back then! I needn’t have worried, because the moment we met we hit it off… probably because we had matching dog slobber on our matching slacks! Penny took me for a lovely lunch and then we talked about writing and where ideas come from. My imagination was certainly fired, because from that moment on I was determined to write romance. Apart from being the most supportive mentor prior to publication Penny has since become one of my dearest friends.

Connie: Dog slobber would at least break the ice. : - ) And I can’t imagine in a situation such as that day that the imagination wouldn’t have been fired up. At least to one who has the desire/dream to write.

A Spanish Inheritance was your first book. Did the writing of it and the publication of it stem from your day with Penny?

Susan: I first met Penny in 1998 and I wrote several manuscripts between then and the day my first book, A Spanish Inheritance was accepted in 2002. I would say Penny was instrumental in encouraging me in every way she could. She never allowed me to give up, and reminded me when I was down that the moment you stop trying you have failed. Penny was always the voice of encouragement on the other end of the telephone.

Connie: How nice to have her support in addition to your family’s.

Would you consider doing/offering something similar to what Penny did if the opportunity arose? Would you encourage other authors to do so?

Susan: I would be happy to do so Connie, and in fact I have. Nothing gives me greater pleasure than to encourage someone in the same way Penny encouraged me. There are no guarantees, of course, but just to have someone to chat to when you’re feeling down gives an aspiring author the courage they need to pursue their dream.

Connie: Good for you! You’re passing the torch so-to-speak. Maybe others will take the cue from both Penny and you. Many probably already have.

In the Venetian’s Bed is a July/August 06 release, correct? You made the comment that it caused a stir in the editorial department. I assume in a great way, but In what way exactly?

Susan: In The Venetian’s Bed will be released in the UK and Australia this summer, and Bedded by the Desert King will be my next US release in November 2006.

You’re quite right Connie, when you say that one of the scenes in In The Venetian’s Bed caused something of a stir in the editorial department… a good stir, certainly, and a huge amount of comment followed. I can’t give too much away, but just let’s say that you will never think of the carnival in Venice in the same way again!

Connie: Ah, a teaser! At least I tried to get the information out of you...And you say it’s based on some of your experiences. Could you elaborate? How were you able to weave in the characteristics of Luca and Nell’s story with your own experiences?

Susan: Let me say right away, that the scene that caused such a stir came straight from my imagination! But the opening of the book is based on the experience of my oldest child when she suffered a frightening first asthma attack in Venice at the age of eighteen months old. This was a truly terrifying experience for all of us, not least because we had our baby son to consider. There was a measles epidemic in Venice at the time, which meant he was not allowed into the hospital and so our family was split up at this unbelievably stressful time.

The scene where the water ambulance rushes the sick child to hospital is based on fact, as is the agonizing hold-up at the security post. Luca, the Italian doctor who saves the heroine Nell’s little girl Molly when Molly suffers a devastating asthma attack is once again a product of my fertile imagination.

Connie: A great blending of fact and fiction, but as for the rest (what caused the stir) we’ll have to wait and read, hmm?

Susan, you’ve been on bestseller’s lists; you’ve been nominated and won awards. I’m sure it must be rewarding in itself, but is it a different sort of feeling vs. that of sending the readers on a journey with each book and its characters, with touching readers lives?

Susan: To me what matters is that readers travel the same journey I do. I write entirely for my readers and never think about awards. An award is a wonderful honor and a bonus to everything I do, but it is not the reason I sit at my desk each day pulling faces and muttering as I tell myself the current story. The only reason I do that- (alarming my family along the way!)- is for my readers.

Connie: Teaching, studying music, working with the BBC’s children’s program, and traveling...how do you think, if at all, these experiences have helped hone your writing skills? How do they continue to enhance your stories?

Susan: All the things I have done, all the people I have met, and all the places I have visited contribute to each story I write. Such varied experiences have given me a deep emotional bank to draw upon and I do draw on that bank with every book I write.

Connie: I hope the bank never runs empty for you. With all you’ve seen and all you’ve experienced I would think there would be much to draw on.

Do you have a process for each part of your writing such as proposals, outlining, character development, write until the end then do self-edits, submitting?

Susan: Oh, how I wish I did! Every book I write is different. Sometimes I have to get the story down quickly because it’s backed up in my head demanding to be written. Other books need careful plotting, but even then my characters invariably take over and direct events. There are some elements I love to include, such as local color and food, and I have to say I always write back-story so I know my characters before I begin. As far as proposals go, I love the chance to speak to an editor in person so I can communicate my enthusiasm for a book, and I would encourage anyone to take advantage of the editor appointments at conventions so they can do the same thing. There’s nothing quite like a face to face discussion- you never know what might come of it.

Connie: Take advantage of editor appointments at conventions. Good advice to remember!

One last question about writing. What time of day do you feel you’re most creative? What makes it so in your mind?

Susan: I like to get up at dawn and start work soon after that. Early morning is definitely my most creative time of day. New day, new ideas…

And then I take my dog for several walks- mid-morning, around noon, and again, mid-afternoon. It’s good to take a break and get some exercise, and it gives me chance to think. It’s surprising how many problems are resolved while I’m walking the dog!

Connie: Sometimes getting the mind off the problem does help solve the problem. But sometimes we try to force the issue or answer.

Now, to learn about you. Susan, what is one thing/something you like to do to pamper yourself?

Susan: There’s nothing quite like a long, hot bath. That’s another thing I often include in my books- though I have to say mine at home are solo affairs! I like to add some fragrance to the water, light some scented candles and read a good book. That’s what I call luxury.

Connie: Love them, too!

When you’re reading for pleasure, what characteristics do you prefer the book/characters to have? What’s important to you as a reader?

Susan: I want to be moved. That’s my primary concern when I read a book. I want to care about the characters; I want to be left with a good feeling, and I want my heart to be touched in some way.

Connie: You’re stranded on a desert island with ­­­­one of your fictional male characters (who did you pick?)...You send a message in a bottle to be found by anybody. What does the message say?

Susan: My male companion just has to be Mr Darcy. So masculine and virile, don’t you think? Clued-up and worldly-wise, he is arrogant, aloof and untouchable- plus I’m quite sure he would be capable of handling any type of crisis...

And my message to my would-be rescuers? Please don’t be in a hurry to rescue me!

Connie:

Would you list some of your favorites please, Susan?

Susan: But of course!

Ice Cream: My favorite flavor/brand of ice cream has to be rich and wicked dark Belgium chocolate.

Season: My favorite season is the spring. So much new life, so many new ideas…

Movie: I keep changing my mind all the time on this one, but I recently saw Shirley Valentine again on DVD. The humor is fantastic, and the story is so touching. It’s got everything I ask of a film… a fabulous setting on a beautiful Greek island, a handsome Greek and an erring husband. Add one disillusioned wife who deserves something better and a truly fantastic script full of Liverpool humor and you’ve got a truly great film.

Store: My favorite store? No contest here! Harvey Nichols.

Color: Blue in any shade, and bright, fuchsia pink.

Connie: Thanks for sharing with us!

What four words would your husband use to describe how he sees you?

Susan: I asked him, and he said: Beautiful (Please remember his eyesight isn’t as good as it used to be!) Thoughtful (which touched me) Dipsy (Well, I am a bit crazy) and Distracted (I can’t deny it- my mind often wanders to the story in my head, leaving reality behind!)

Connie: All of his choices were in their own way sweet! So, with that I’ll say thank you and good-bye. It was a pleasure to have the chance to interview you. Before I let you go, however, is there anything I forgot to ask that you want readers and fans to know?

Susan: Thank you, Connie, this has been a real pleasure for me. All I can add is that I always love to hear from readers at susan@susanstephens.net and that you can tune in to more of my crazy writer’s life on my writing diary at www.susanstephens.net I look forward to meeting you there!

Love to all, and happy reading everyone!

Connie: A pleasure for me, too, Susan!

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