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Susan’s 2021 Year in Books

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Susan Aylworth

Goodreads Author

Born

in Mesa, Arizona, The United States

Website

https://www.susanaylworthauthor.com/

Twitter

SusanAylworth

Genre

Romance, Christian, Contemporary

Influences

Debbie Macomber, Barbara Kingsolver

Member Since

May 2008

URL

https://www.goodreads.com/susanaylworth

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The Wholesome Heart of Happily Ever After...

It all started when I was a kid. I developed a love of raspberry jam (still love it) and a love of writing (ditto on that one too).

I wrote my first book at the ripe old age of nine. It was eight whole pages! Unfortunately, it was a shameless rip-off of Black Beauty. What can I say? Like most girls, I loved horses (yep, still do). For my fifth-grade career day, I declared my desire to become a rich and famous author. Years later, I’m pleased to have achieved the “author” part of that goal.

One of my favorite things about writing is the research part! I know, it’s a bit of a surprise to some folks, because it sounds suspiciously like “homework”. But for me, it’s so much fun! I truly enjoy researching ...more

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What’s your advice for aspiring writers?

Susan Aylworth Read, read, read, read, read. Did I mention you should read? And don't read as a reader, simply enjoying this story or that one. Read like a writer, n…moreRead, read, read, read, read. Did I mention you should read? And don't read as a reader, simply enjoying this story or that one. Read like a writer, noticing when the author is using description, when the dialogue cuts in, how the action scenes are written, what little nuances help you to know a particular character. Learn all you can from reading.

Meanwhile, write, write, write, write, and write. I've heard people say a real writer writes every single day. After 20 published novels, I'm a real writer, and I don't write every day--just most of them. Get feedback on your writing, not just from your friends, but from people who'll tell you what works and what doesn't.

Next, develop a thick skin--thick like a crocodile. Realize that people who criticize aren't criticizing you. They are telling you what doesn't work in your writing. Hear them. Now and then, you'll get a curmudgeon who won't like anything you write. Don't let that trouble you. Think of how few modern people want to read Shakespeare! Find the people who like your work in general and will tell you frankly which bits and pieces aren't there yet. Treasure those readers. They are among a writer's best friends.

Join writer's organizations. Get their newsletters, go to their conferences, and participate in their critique groups. You may find your best critics among other writers whose work you can review in turn.

Finally, don't give up. Most writers accumulate numerous rejections before they see their first acceptance, and rejections can come even after you've been in publishing a while. It's a tough business, but worth it for those who hang in there. May you find your niche in the market and love the work as much as I do. (less)

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If you could travel to any fictional book world, where would you go and what would you do there?

Susan Aylworth Many fictional worlds attract me, and which appeals most depends on the day. Today I want to visit Hogwart's and Harry's magical world. Who couldn't u…moreMany fictional worlds attract me, and which appeals most depends on the day. Today I want to visit Hogwart's and Harry's magical world. Who couldn't use a good spell from time to time?(less)

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Susan Aylworth’s books

Average rating: 3.8 · 1,575 ratings · 448 reviews · 40 distinct works • Similar authors

	Right Click 3.41 avg rating — 428 ratings — published 2009 — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Ride the Rainbow Home (Rainbow Rock Romance Series #1) 3.82 avg rating — 328 ratings — published 1995 — 6 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Zucchini Pie 3.42 avg rating — 91 ratings — published 2013 — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Eastward to Zion 3.81 avg rating — 69 ratings — published 2014 — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Danny's Girl 3.76 avg rating — 62 ratings — published 2014 — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	At the Rainbow's End (Rainbow Rock Romance Series Book, #2) 4.04 avg rating — 55 ratings — published 1996 — 6 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Roman's Holiday 3.74 avg rating — 54 ratings — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	A Monumental Love 3.65 avg rating — 55 ratings — published 2019 — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Don't Promise Me Rainbows 4.15 avg rating — 39 ratings — published 1996 — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Paris in the Springtime (Seasons of Destiny Series #1) 4.17 avg rating — 36 ratings — 4 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

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20 posts
Susan Aylworth's Blog: The Wholesome Heart of Happily Ever After

Lovin' that Small-Town Vibe

In 30 years of publishing, I've experimented with different styles and varieties of novels. I enjoyed one teen adventure novel and a Young Adult mystery with a paranormal element, as well as other stories for different audiences. Writing them was a fun diversion, but I've found my home in sweet romances set in America's small towns.

What's the charm of the small town? Ask the faithful f

Series by Susan Aylworth

Rainbow Rock (7 books)
by

Susan Aylworth (Goodreads Author)

3.96 avg rating — 541 ratings

Susan is Currently Reading

Susan Aylworth is currently reading

The Little Old Lady Who Broke All the Rules (League of Pensioners #1)

by Catharina Ingelman-Sundberg

bookshelves: currently-reading

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Feb 19, 2018 09:45PM

Susan Aylworth is currently reading

A Second Chance (Promises to Keep, #4)

by Shayne Parkinson (Goodreads Author)

bookshelves: currently-reading

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Jan 15, 2018 05:47AM

Susan Aylworth is currently reading

Settling the Account (Promises to Keep, #3)

by Shayne Parkinson (Goodreads Author)

bookshelves: currently-reading

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Dec 07, 2017 04:16PM

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Susan’s Recent Updates

Susan Aylworth answered Goodreads's question: How do you get inspired to write? When a would-be author begins to take her craft seriously, almost everything provides inspiration. It's the "what if" question. Apply it to a news story, someting you see on TV, the story your neighbor tells you, or a world full of other events, and See Full Answer
Jul 29, 2021 09:59PM · like
Susan Aylworth rated a book it was amazing Shattered Defense by Cassandra Grey	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Horror meets legal procedure in Cassandra Grey's debut novel, Shattered Defense. Life hasn't been easy for Andrea "Andie" Harrison. An absent father and emotionally distant mother left her a lonely child. As an adult, she found love with a handsome h ...more
Jul 06, 2021 05:59PM · 1 like · like · see review
Susan Aylworth wants to read 50 books in the 2021 Reading Challenge She has read 1 book toward her goal of 50 books. 1 of 50 (2%) Create your own 2021 Reading Challenge »
Jan 08, 2021 11:01AM · 2 likes · like · view books
Susan Aylworth rated a book really liked it A Timeless Romance Anthology: Silver Bells Collection by Lucinda Brant (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Charming! Some collections are uneven in quality, but all six of these stories have strong voices, interesting settings and plots, and sweet, happy endings.
Dec 31, 2020 07:20PM · like · see review

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Topics Mentioning This Author

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The Lost Challenges: August 2019 Scavenger Hunt - Burger Choices	88	72	Sep 16, 2019 11:39AM
The Lost Challenges: "Ducks In A Row" (Aug/Sept 2019)	74	62	Oct 02, 2019 11:22AM
The Lost Challenges: Reading the Seasons -Summer 2019	98	87	Oct 30, 2019 07:03PM
The Lost Challenges: Musical Person of the Month: Shania Twain	58	47	Nov 06, 2019 06:05AM
The Lost Challenges: U.S. Burgers	129	114	Feb 03, 2021 01:33PM

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Susan’s Quotes

“You may come as a proud prince today young Habsburg. But you shall travel many more roads in Castile in death than you ever will in life”
― C.W. Gortner, The Last Queen

tags: c-w-gortner, the-last-queen

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