A Visit With Susan Sundwall

The lovely and talented Susan Sundwall joins us today to discuss her latest book, The Super Bar Incident. This is Susan's second book in her mystery series. Susan's offered to give away a copy of both her books so be sure and check out the details below.

Welcome to Write Now, Susan. Congrats on the new book! How did this story come about? 

Thank you so much for having me, Karen. I’m honored. The Super Bar Incident is the second in my Minnie Markwood mystery series. I wrote it because I had so much fun writing the first one and wanted to expand on  Minnie’s adventures. In Super Bar I put our intrepid mystery shopper and amateur sleuth on a diet. Most of my readers are women and I’m sure they’ll be able to relate to her Titanic battle with the scale. I also ramp up the romance between her two sidekicks, Rashawna and Joel. 

Yes, I know many of your readers will relate to that "Titanic battle". I know I do! How did you get into mystery writing?

I’ve always loved reading mysteries and never thought I could write one, until I began reading Janet Evanovich. She was the first mystery author I’d read who put a lot of humor and sass into her stories and I loved it. Reading her kind of gave me permission to let my own wacky side come out. I realized a mystery didn’t have to be so mind tangling. And though I’m not as um – risqué – as Janet, it was very freeing. And, of course, finding a publisher, Mainly Murder Press, validated my belief that I could write a mystery.  

  

Humor and sass - that appeals to a vast audience, I'm thinking. I'm glad you gave it a shot, for it sounds like it's right up your alley. :) Do you have a specific writing routine? How do you stay on track and meet your deadlines?

As they say, lark or owl, and I’m definitely a lark. I do my best writing in the early morning and am often surprised when several hours have gone by seemingly on a freight train. I break the rest of the day into chunks with an hour here or there for a re-write of my current project. A deadline is sort of like a mosquito. It buzzes around and you stand it for just so long before you swat it. If I swat it in time (and I always do) I let myself have a small – okay big – treat. Hot fudge sundaes top the list. 

That comparison of mosquitoes and deadlines is on target! Speaking of sundaes, do you have a favorite writing snack?

When I’m “in the zone” I don’t even think of eating. Sometime a cup of good coffee will help me along, but often it goes cold. Oh wait, does Candy Crush count as a snack? As a break in the tedium of finding exactly the right earrings for Minnie to wear in scene #18, I do “snack” there. Incidentally, Minnie has 300 pairs of earrings, so choosing the right ones each day is daunting. 

I guess Candy Crush could count...:) Wow, that's a lot of earrings. I guess she can wear a different pair almost every day! What's your favorite piece of writing advice?

When I first began writing I’d hear two things repeatedly and they’ve stuck with me. The first is B.I.C., Butt in chair, and the second is, Finish the Book. This is the dynamic duo of writing. Embrace them like Batman and you’ll be well rewarded. 

Ah, good advice. We don't get any writing done if we don't show up and apply ourselves. Thanks so much for sharing with us today. Best wishes with your books!

Thank you, Karen. :) 

Find Susan's books on Amazon

Visit Susan on her Blog 

More About Susan

Susan Sundwall is a mystery writer who sets her stories in and around Albany, New York. Her first mystery, The Red Shoelace Killer – A  Minnie Markwood Mystery, was published in late 2012. Her second book in the series, The Super Bar Incident, was released in August 2014. Both are available at Amazon, Untreed Reads and from the publisher. She lives in Valatie, New York, with her husband and adopted stray cat, Sister Agnes.

Giveaway Details and Requirements

One happy Write Now follower will win a signed print copy of The Superbar Incident and an ebook of the first Minnie Markwood Mystery, The Red Shoelace Killer. 

• You must be a Google Friend Connect (GFC) follower (see box on sidebar).
• You must leave your email address with your comment.
• Open to residents of the United States.
• Deadline to enter is midnight EST Thursday August 28, 2014. Winner will be chosen by random.org, notified by email, and will have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen.

Do you have any questions for Susan? Do you like to read mysteries? What is your favorite writing snack?

Happy writing,

Karen