Connie: Hello and welcome, Susanna! I’m happy to have a chance to talk with you about writing and life. I hope to ask you some brilliant (:-)) questions, but first, would you tell me a bit about yourself and what you’re working on now?

Susanna: I have been reading romances since I was ten years old, and was immediately hooked. By the time I was in high school, I knew I wanted to be a romance writer. After a couple of office jobs, and getting a degree in English Literature, I finally achieved that goal. These days if I’m not writing, I’m either at the library or bookstore looking for another good read.

At the moment, I’m working on the last stage of getting my November 2006 release to print. Pink Ice is my first book with NAL Trade, and it’s about three sisters who share an incredible pair of pink diamonds earrings and live out their hottest fantasies.

Connie: Hmm, I bet your fans can’t wait for that one to be released!

Ex, Why, and Me is your latest release from Kensington Brava. What sparked the "what if" for Michelle and Ryan’s story?

Susanna: I pitched a ‘road romance’ idea with my editor and with some back and forth brainstorming, and it evolved into a scavenger hunt based on a romantic legend and set in a small town. I knew that I wanted Michelle to get stuck with the one guy she hoped to never see again. Ryan is a little reluctant, but he sees this as an opportunity to replace the memory of their one-night stand with some toe-curling pleasure.

Connie: Your books are hot and sexy, yet some of the characters seem as if they could be anyone we know. There are things about your heroines that are very identifiable. Like Molly in Lip Lock. How do you create the chemistry between hot and sexy and identifiable and make it work?

Susanna: My heroines are often not too sure of themselves, especially when it comes to their sexual allure. Most women I know can relate to that to some degree. I think the chemistry works when the heroine transform into a woman confident and enjoying her sensuality.

Connie: What about the heroes, Susanna? When creating your male characters, hero or secondary, what do you keep in mind? What characteristics are important to you, characteristics you want the readers to empathize with or recognize or root for?

Susanna: With the hero, the number one trait I want is protective. I also want them to help out those who are in a weak position or in need. There are times when I put the hero in a situation where he pretends to be in a lower status. It offers some fun scenes and insights on what he’s really like, and it really requires patience on his part.

Connie: All good qualities that make up a yummy hero!

When you begin writing a book, or at any time during the writing process, do you put any limitations at all on your writing or your characters and their actions?

Susanna: Yes, I do. My readers have an expectation and I need to meet it with every book. So they are going to know that while my books are fun and sexy, I don’t veer into issues or dark themes. I also make sure that my characters are monogamous, and don’t delve into extreme sexual situations. I try to make every book hot and romantic as possible while using these boundaries.

Connie: I know many readers who really appreciate that about your books.

You write sensuous stories in single title and anthology formats and you read category romances for pleasure. On some levels they’re the same and on others they’re vastly different. What satisfies you as a writer of one and a reader of the other?

Susanna: As a reader of category romance, I know exactly what I’m going to get. I know what is allowed, what isn’t, the tone, etc. As a writer of single titles and anthologies, the characters or story there’s a strong chance of the unexpected.

Connie: Since I mentioned anthologies, let’s talk about them for a minute. Some really great stories are between the covers of anthologies (some that we wished would have been single titles!). For you, what’s the difference, if any, in writing a single title story vs. an anthology story?

Susanna: When I approach an anthology story, I know I’m going to keep the focus tight on the hero and heroine. I’m also going to highlight one aspect of the relationship and keep the time frame as short as possible. With a single title, I can explore more aspects of the relationship, and I can also show how the environment or secondary characters affect the main relationship.

Connie: If Tina were here she’d say that sounds too much like homework! : - } And what do you like the best and the least about writing a story for an anthology, Susanna? How about single title?

Susanna: The best thing about writing for an anthology is getting to play with ideas that I’ve wanted to try out, but knew wouldn’t work for a full-length book. The worst part is keeping an eye on the word count and making sure I don’t go over.

The best thing about writing for a single-title is that, as a writer, I get more time to explore the characters and show more of what they are like and what they are going through in their journey. The worst thing about single title is keeping the momentum going.

Connie: Sounds like you’ve got a handle on the best of both worlds.

And now just a few questions to get to know the un-author you. Which would you prefer (all expenses are paid of course), a maid for a day or a dinner for two in London, round trip flight included?

Susanna: Ooh. That’s difficult. I’m going to go for London because I really, really want to visit the city, and I’m hoping the flight is first class all the way.

Connie: Uh, sure, I’ll see what I can do...Other than diet Coke, Susanna, do you have a specific food or dessert you like to indulge in?

Susanna: I love the chips and salsa from Ooba’s, a local Mex grill. Yummy. My mouth is watering just thinking about it.

Connie: You’re a damsel in distress. Of course you can rescue yourself, but there’s a fictional character who you really like and wouldn’t mind if he helped in the rescue. Who would it be?

Susanna: Okay, this is going to sound weird, but it would be Jack Bristow from Alias. That guy will do ANYTHING to protect Sydney, and will risk everything and everyone to make sure she’s safe. Gotta love that, in a warped and slightly scary way. ;)

Connie: It’s your rescue, so if it’s not weird to you then that’s ok!

What one appliance you couldn’t live without? Article(s) of clothing? Electronic (other than the computer :-)?

Susanna: Appliance: does air-conditioning count? Article of clothing: jeans! Electronic: my DVD player.

Connie: Where would you like to go on your dream vacation (aside from wanting to see London)?

Susanna: There are so many places I would like to visit – too many to name! But if I had the chance, I would love to revisit Singapore.

Connie: I think this is a good place to stop and let you get back to your writing or head out to Ooba’s. Thank you Susanna, for taking the time to visit with me. Before I let you go though, is there anything I forgot to ask that you’d like the readers and fans to know?

Susanna: Thank you for the interview! Readers can find out more about my current and upcoming releases at www.susannacarr.com.

Connie: You’re very welcome, Susanna.

Comment or respond to Susanna's interview and we'll post your comments below!

"What a grand interview and insight into Susanna Carr. I didn't know about Pink Ice and it will definitely be an auto buy for me. I have Lip Lock on my TBR pile and it's going to the top. I've been reading Susanna's books for years and love her humor and storylines."

Marilyn Shoemaker
Seattle, WA

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Author's Interviews