Monday, August 25, 2014

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

28 comments :

  1. Hi Susan!! So good to meet you. I do love a good mystery. I love the Agatha Christie mysteries :)

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  2. Great advice, Susan! I really like mysteries too. Good luck with your books.

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  3. Keith,
    Glad you got to meet Susan! Appreciate you stopping by. :)

    Natalie,
    Susan knows what she's talking about, doesn't she? :)

    Happy writing,
    Karen

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  4. I can't seem to get my dang comments to take, amigo. *sigh* I will read Susan's book. It will help me as I write my children's mystery. Your book sounds wonderful, Susan! I think it's the leaving clues part that scares me about writing mystery. Nice to meet a fellow lark! *waves to amigo*

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  5. If you have a sense of humor it's a good idea to include it in your writing. That is your "voice."

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  6. Mysteries are my favorites! And humor, I love that, too. So two in one? That's a great deal!

    A delight to find two friends here in one place. Congrats to both of you on your new books.

    rschrockmt@yahoo.com

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  7. Thanks for this sit down with Sue. Enjoyable read. :-)

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  8. My brain doesn't function well in the morning, so definitely not a lark! Congratulations, Susan.

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  9. Robyn,
    Looks like you got one to go through finally. Sorry about the problems! Blogger can be fun, right? lol Thanks for coming over. I knew you'd like Susan! :)

    Diane,
    I agree! And Susan's voice illustrates her sense of humor wonderfully. :)

    Rhonda,
    Well it sounds like Susan's books are right up your alley then! :) It's a delight that you stopped to see us!

    Jennifer,
    Good to see you. I know you're a fan of Susan's too. :) Thanks for stopping to see us!

    Alex,
    So you are an owl, then? Wonder what the in between person is. For that would be me. lol :) Thanks for coming by!

    Happy writing,
    Karen

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  10. Hi Susan and Karen! I love that advice of sitting in the chair and finishing. Really, I have heard that advice in many forms, but that is the most succinct.
    It's so great that you enjoy your writing so much! Some (like me!) see writing as an onerous process at times. You seem to really enjoy it. Do you even have days when it seems more like a 'job' than a joy?
    I don't have a snack that I enjoy while writing. I'm 'all in' when it comes to that. My coffee gets cold too!
    I'd love a copy of Susan's books! My email is: ceil@ceilryan.com

    Fingers crossed!
    Ceil

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  11. Would love to read the further adventures of Minnie and her friends, Susan! Best of luck with the new book!

    Lee Ann
    LAHOWLETT@yahoo.com

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  12. Always appreciate a heads-up on a good mystery--thanks for hosting Susan and sharing about her book. Sounds terrific. Minnie has 300 pairs of earrings? You've got me hooked already! kendaturner@gmail.com

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  13. Wow, 300 pairs of earrings. I'd have trouble deciding what to wear if I had that many.

    This sounds like a fun book. Please enter me susanjreinhardt AT gmail DOT com

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  14. Ceil,
    It is indeed succinct, isn't it? And something we all should keep in mind, I'm thinking. :) Susan is a wonderful writer and inspiration!

    Lee Ann,
    It's nice to meet you! I see you are a "Susan" fan. It's fun to be Susan's cheering section, isn't it?

    Kenda,
    I'm so happy to introduce Susan to you! :) She is a treasure. Glad you were able to stop by!

    Susan R.,
    I know - that many earrings, right? She sounds like a fun character. Looking forward to reading Susan's books.

    Happy writing,
    Karen

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    1. Yes, I'm a "Susan" fan, too, Karen! I narrated her first Minnie Markwood book -- The Red Shoelace Killer. I'm curious to see where Susan takes Minnie in the sequel!

      Lee Ann

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  15. The book sounds interesting, but poor me I don't stand a chance to try for a giveaway :( South America is not on the radar! But I enjoyed reading through the interview. I do snack while writing, though not always, but no particular one. I do like something to drink though...something cold in summer and a hot cuppa in winter!

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  16. Thanks for the introduction to Susan! The book sounds fun.

    My latest writing snack is a Perfectly Simple bar in toasted coconut. It goes well with a cup of tea!

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  17. Joy,
    One of these days I am going to have to do a worldwide giveaway, aren't I? :) So my friends around the world can enter and join in the fun. I hope you have a chance to read Susan's book, though!

    Susie,
    You are very welcome! Her books do sound fun, don't they? I am going to have to try one of those bars. Sounds delicious! :)

    Happy writing,
    Karen

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  18. Susan, good to meet you. Karen, thanks for the introduction. :) This sounds like a delightful series!

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  19. Congratulations, Susan. The cover's awesome!

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  20. Congratulations to Susan! I love reading mysteries. This series sound like something I would love!

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  21. This sounds very yummy and fun-please enter my name in the drawing. I'm always delighted to find someone who loves earrings, writes mysteries, and can keep their BIC! That's a winning combination!

    jeanettelevellie(at)gmail(dot)com

    Thanks!

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  22. Sounds like a great book. I like mysteries and the description is interesting. I bet a lot of people will be able to relate to the main character. Thanks for sharing and for the chance to win. :)

    I am a GFC follower (Jess Haight)
    haightjess@aol.com

    ~Jess

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  23. I would love to read about Minnie's adventures!

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  24. Lisa,
    Happy to introduce you two! I agree, it sounds like a great series. :)

    Joylene,
    I agree. I like the contrast in colors and the "mystery" look to it. :)

    Nas,
    Hope you get a chance to read the books one of these days. :)

    Jen,
    Glad you got to meet Susan! :) Yes, it's a great combo, isn't it? Minnie sounds like someone I would like to meet.

    Jess,
    Minnie sounds totally relate-able, I agree! :) You are welcome, glad you were able to stop by.

    Prentiss,
    Her adventures sound great, don't they? Nice to meet you! :)

    Happy writing,
    Karen

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  25. I love humorous mysteries - please enter my name in the drawing. Thanks so much for a fun interview.
    pennyt at hotmail dot com

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  26. Congrats, Susan. I love mysteries. Great cover, too.

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  27. Penny,
    I know, they are wonderful, aren't they? It's nice to meet you! Thanks for stopping by. :)

    Medeia,
    Mysteries are just so, well, mysterious! lol They make a great read, don't they? :)

    Happy weekend,
    Karen

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Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. Have a blessed day!