3 ratings | 3 reviews | avg rating:4.67

more photos (1)

Susan Fox’s Followers (3)

Susan’s Bookshelves

to-read (2)
currently-reading (0)
read (4)

Susan’s Friends (10)

Sharon

756 books | 3 friends

Jordan

624 books | 3,154 friends

Caroline Fox

199 books | 56 friends

481 books | 20 friends

Maryann Fox

58 books | 9 friends

Suzie Hutton

78 books | 56 friends

Margaret

89 books | 3 friends

Shelley Hitz

177 books | 810 friends

More friends…

Susan Fox

Goodreads Author

Born

in Decatur, IN, The United States

Website

http://www.littlewomenofbaghlan.com

Twitter

@suefoxwriter

Genre

Narrative Nonfiction

Influences

Narrative nonfiction writers: Daniel James Brown, "The Boys in the Boa ...more

Member Since

September 2010

edit data

Author Susan Fox lives along the Kankakee River in Momence, IL--a small town of 3,000, not counting the duck population.
"Little Women of Baghlan" is her first book, and was named as a finalist for Book of the Year in nonfiction by the Chicago Writers Association.
Susan holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of St. Francis, Joliet, Illinois, a nursing degree, and a certificate in technical writing from the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago.

When she is not writing, Susan divides her time between her six grandchildren, her husband Ken, and her clarinet.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/suefox.writer

Website: www.littlewomenofbaghlan.com

Email: suefox.writer@gmail.com
...more

Learn more
Ask the Author

To ask Susan Fox questions, please sign up.

Popular Answered Questions

What’s the best thing about being a writer?

Susan Fox I think every writer dreams of that “aahhh” moment—when the content is polished to satisfaction, the cover is exactly what had been envisioned from th…moreI think every writer dreams of that “aahhh” moment—when the content is polished to satisfaction, the cover is exactly what had been envisioned from the beginning, and the book appears on Amazon, complete with the “look inside” icon. In reality, the moment is fleeting. Almost immediately, I found myself working on remarks for the book launch. Instead of spending my time writing these days, I am marketing on social media and scheduling speaking engagements. Whether a book is published by a well-known publishing house, or self-published, I think the burden of marketing falls to the writer in the present economy.
Having said all that, I did have a couple of moments that stand out as surreal. The first was the day I walked to the “biography” section of our local Barnes and Noble store and saw my book nestled on the shelf. The second was the day I sat across from Bill Moller in the WGN studios in Chicago and put on headsets for a radio interview. But it was a much smaller event that finally made me realize people were actually reading the book. It was the day I opened my email and found a message via my website. A reader had chosen the book for her book club, and wanted to know if there were discussion questions available. That was the day it became real for me.
(less)

flag

like
Comment

What’s your advice for aspiring writers?

Susan Fox • Look to your own experience
• Join a writing group
• Be willing to accept feedback
• Edit, edit, edit.
• If a scene does not move the story forward, del…more• Look to your own experience
• Join a writing group
• Be willing to accept feedback
• Edit, edit, edit.
• If a scene does not move the story forward, delete
• Do not become attached to your words
• RUE—resist the urge to explain
• Work at the same time every day
• Write what you are passionate about
• Be willing to research—not only your topic, but the craft of writing
• Read your work out loud for rhythm and cadence
• Read “Bird by Bird” by Anne Lamotte

Let the story come to you. You will know when you are ready. Become attuned to your circadian rhythm, and use that knowledge to find the optimal time and place to write.
I am one of those obnoxious, early morning people, so generally, I was in my office and working by 5 am every morning. My office is in our home, on the second floor, with a window that overlooks our yard, farm fields beyond, and a distant tree line. I loved the peace and solitude of those early mornings, with the first birds chirping before sunrise in the summer, and the wind whistling over the snow in winter. My most productive hours were between 5 and 11 am. That works for me—your natural rhythm might dictate that you start at 3 pm and write until midnight. Go with it.
Edit, edit, edit. Less is more. I read somewhere the axiom RUE—Resist the Urge to Explain. Do not underestimate your readers.
Find a writing group. I was fortunate to find Literary Writers Network by a random google search, and I cannot say enough good things about this group. We worked hard, but enjoyed a sense of camaraderie. The established members welcomed me, critiqued my work, and encouraged me. It was thanks to LWN members that I was able to shape the book, and make the decision to use end notes. Most importantly, perhaps, the members pushed me to develop the characters much further than I would have on my own. And of course they had no qualms about suggesting edits, especially passages that did not move the story forward, no matter how exquisitely written.
Being part of a writing group provides a learning environment on two levels. Your own work is discussed of course, but you also read and evaluate manuscripts from your fellow members, and in the process, you learn to read your own work with a more critical eye and ear.
Writing might be a solitary process, but in the end, it is all about communicating ideas and emotions. A good writing group will help you crystalize your thoughts, approach a writing conundrum in a way you had not thought possible, and give you a renewed appreciation for the beauty and grace of language itself.
second floor, with a window that overlooks our yard, farm fields beyond, and a distant tree line. I loved the peace and solitude of those early mornings, with the first birds chirping before sunrise in the summer, and the wind whistling over the snow in winter. My most productive hours were between 5 and 11 am. That works for me—your natural rhythm might dictate that you start at 3 pm and write until midnight. Go with it.
Edit, edit, edit. Less is more. I read somewhere the axiom RUE—Resist the Urge to Explain. Do not underestimate your readers.
Find a writing group. I was fortunate to find Literary Writers Network by a random google search, and I cannot say enough good things about this group. We worked hard, but enjoyed a sense of camaraderie. The established members welcomed me, critiqued my work, and encouraged me. It was thanks to LWN members that I was able to shape the book, and make the decision to use end notes. Most importantly, perhaps, the members pushed me to develop the characters much further than I would have on my own. And of course they had no qualms about suggesting edits, especially passages that did not move the story forward, no matter how exquisitely written.
Being part of a writing group provides a learning environment on two levels. Your own work is discussed of course, but you also read and evaluate manuscripts from your fellow members, and in the process, you learn to read your own work with a more critical eye and ear.
Writing might be a solitary process, but in the end, it is all about communicating ideas and emotions. A good writing group will help you crystalize your thoughts, approach a writing conundrum in a way you had not thought possible, and give you a renewed appreciation for the beauty and grace of language itself.
(less)

flag

like
Comment

See all 4 answers from Susan Fox…

Combine Editions
Susan Fox’s books

Average rating: 4.09 · 88 ratings · 17 reviews · 6 distinct works • Similar authors

	Little Women of Baghlan: The Story of a Nursing School for Girls in Afghanistan, the Peace Corps, and Life Before the Taliban 4.19 avg rating — 57 ratings — published 2013 — 5 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
	Rookie Dad: Fun and Easy Exercises and Games for Dads and Babies in Their First Year 3.83 avg rating — 23 ratings — published 2001 — 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
	Baby Steps: Exercises for Baby's First Year of Life 4.25 avg rating — 4 ratings — published 1999	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
	Rookie Dad Tackles the Toddler 3.67 avg rating — 3 ratings — published 2005 — 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
	Rainbow Hairstyles it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 1 rating — published 2004 — 3 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
	Los primeros pasos del bebé 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings — published 2002	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

More books by Susan Fox…

5 posts
Susan Fox's Blog

Preview!

I recently posted Chapter One, "The Hindu Kush," from my book "Little Women of Baghlan. If you want to know more about the Hindu Kush, or what Afghanistan was like before the Taliban, this is an excellent opportunity to broaden your outlook! And who the heck are the 'little women?' Find out!
Read twenty-plus 5 star reviews on Amazon.

Like • 0 comments • flag