A Chat With Susan Wells Bennett

Today I am pleased to welcome Susan Wells Bennett. Susan is the author of several novels and stories that are known for the smooth style and rich characters. Susan was my guest on the Book Junkies Interviews Livecast on Friday February 10th. You can enjoy that show here: Book Junkies Interviews Susan Wells Bennett 

1. When did you decide to get serious about writing? 

I always wanted to be a writer, but didn't believe I had enough life experience to write a book that would be relevant to others until I was in my late thirties. At that point, I asked my husband if he would support me for a few months while I attempted to complete a novel. He agreed. After he read the novel I produced, The Thief of Todays and Tomorrows, he told me to keep writing.

2. Which writers have inspired and influenced you?

I am a huge fan of John Irving and Margaret Atwood. I also have a place in my heart for Dorothy Parker, whose stories and poetry display her wicked sense of humor.

3. What started you on the journey to write An Unassigned Life?

The story came out of a random thought about the phrase "ghost writer." When I combined that thought with my interest in the paranormal, the whole thing just came together.

4. How would you describe your literary voice and what do you think makes it unique?

My readers have described my style as smooth and flowing, like a river that sweeps them through the story and immerses them in my world. I would say that what makes my voice unique is the way that I blend humor and tragedy. Life is neither all good nor all bad and I believe literature should reflect that.

5. What is your process for creating characters? What do you do to get them to feel genuine to your readers?

Most of my characters spring from writing exercises. Sometimes, writing just a few scenes with the character are enough for him or her to become real to me. Other times I have to complete a character questionnaire to feel like I really know the character. After that, I just slip into his or her mindset and write. I wish I could explain it more fully than that, but I don't have any other tips or tricks to share.

6. What genre do you most love to read? Are your books exclusive to that genre?

I'm a genre jumper, both in my reading and my writing. Some of my favorite books are humorous in nature, but I'm also a sucker from a drama or a thriller. So far, I've written three dramas, two comedies, and three comedic mysteries.

7. What does writing do for you, personally? How does it make you feel?

Writing is both extremely pleasurable and horrifyingly miserable at the same time. When I'm having a good day of writing, I get swept away on the current of my own storyline. When I have a bad day writing, it's all I can do to keep from crushing the keyboard with a sledgehammer. The high I get from finishing a novel is unlike anything else I've ever experienced. Because of that, I will never stop writing.

8. Are there other genres of fiction that you would like to explore in the future?

I recently wrote a zombie story for a collection my publisher, Inknbeans Press, is putting together for charity. I'm not sure I'll be doing any more work in that genre, but I'm open to trying anything once – except erotica. I would be awful at that.

9. What new projects are you currently working on?

I'm currently finishing up Night Life, the third novel in my Brass Monkey series, and preparing to write the fourth and final installment. The series, which includes Wild Life and Charmed Life, follows the lives of four Baby Boomers living in Sun City, Arizona. Each book has a mystery, but the novels are more about the characters than the crimes.

10. What is the story you remember best from childhood, and does it still influence your writing today?

The Lottery by Shirley Jackson. I do think it influences my writing quite a bit actually. I get a sense of satisfaction out of punishing those with a lack of empathy.

11. Where do you see yourself as a writer five years from now?

Still writing. My goal is to write three books a year for as long as I've got stories to tell. With any luck, I'll pick up some more readers along the way. I have an old friend who has become one of my devoted readers. A conversation we had one day led to the plot of Wild Life. So, of course, I love to talk to my readers!

12. Is there anyone you'd like to give a mention to?

Inknbeans Press http://www.inknbeans.com/ is more than my publisher. The Boss Bean and the other writers with the company are my support system. I might be able to do it without them, but I never want to.

13. Any last words for our readers?

If you would like to win an autographed copy of An Unassigned Life, please visit my blog at http://swellsbennett.blogspot.com I'll be giving away a copy to one lucky reader at the end of February!