Today my guest is Suzanne Tyrpak who has just released an...
Today my guest is Suzanne Tyrpak who has just released another fab book.
When and why did you decide to become an Indie writer?About two years ago, my friend, Blake Crouch, told me the ebook revolution had begun, and he convinced me to self-publish. I’d been pursuing traditional publishing for years, had two agents, and several almost-deals. Until recently, self-publishing was considered death to a writing career, but for me, and many others (like you, Mel), it has been a birth.2. What genre do you write in and what genre do you prefer to read?I read and write eclectically: historical, contemporary, mysteries, thrillers, literary…but all my favorite books contain some element of suspense, some mystery that draws the reader through the story. The mystery doesn’t have to be a death; it might be psychological, might have to do with a relationship or self-discovery. I’m interested in women’s roles, now and throughout history. I’m interested in relationships, and I studied psychology, so my books deal with women, relationships, sex, power, and violence. Some of my stories are set in ancient times and some are contemporary—when it comes to love and death and sex, not much has changed. 3. Where do you sell most books, USA or UK, Amazon or Barnes and Noble?I sell most of my books on Amazon and iBooks. Right now, my novels are dedicated to Kindle Select. My short story collections are available everywhere. Generally, I sell the bulk of my books in the USA, but at times my books have done extremely well in the UK. At one point Dating My Vibrator (and other true fiction) was fairly viral in the UK Kindle Store.4. During your childhood who was your biggest influence?Hmmm…as far as writing goes, Frances Hodgson Burnett was my favorite childhood author. I loved
A Little Princess. Nancy Drew
was another big love of mine, and I loved stories about witches—
The Littlest Witch
and
The Witch of Blackbird Pond.
Growing up in New York, I was fortunate to be exposed to all of the arts, and I had some fantastic teachers. My parents sent me to ballet class (no doubt thinking the classes would help me lose weight), and I studied with Vitale Fokine, whose father choreographed Swan Lake for the famous dancer, Anna Pavlova. (I mention her in my new book,
Rosy (Dreams Can Become Nightmares).
Ballet played a big role in my childhood, as did theater. My teachers encouraged me to pursue my dreams—sometimes to the despair of my parents.5. Are you fortunate enough to write full-time?Not full-time…yet. Soon I’ll be dropping to part-time work, so I hope to have more time to write. Historical novels require a lot of time and research, and I plan to finish
Priestess,
the sequel to
Hetaera—suspense in ancient Greece,
early next year. Actually, I like having another job besides writing—work exposes me to a variety of people and situations. Otherwise I might become a recluse!6. If Hollywood came knocking who would you want to play your main character?If Hollywood came knocking, I would be delighted to let a casting director decide! Meanwhile, I’d go back to creating more characters. 7. Name 6 people, dead or alive, you’d love to have as guests seated around your dinner-table.I love to cook, and I love having dinner parties…and I have to say, I’ve had some great ones with the cast of characters in my life. But, if I could invite ANYONE I’d have to include the emperor, Nero, (whom I write about in Vestal Virgin) just because he’s so insane (but at my party, he would not be allowed to dictate the rules). And I’d love to see how Nero would interact with Mick Jagger. Then, to spice things up, I’d like to invite Marie Antoinette andCleopatra. And, for intellect, Gertrude Stein and Albert Einstein. A nice balance, don’t you think?8. What one piece of advice have you found the most important in your writing career?This from Terry Brooks: Write, write, write; Read, read, read; Write, write, write. Repeat.
9. What are your plans for the coming year?In the first quarter, I’d like to complete a first draft of Priestess. In April, I plan to travel to Turkey, and I’m sure that trip will inspire more stories. I would love to publish two more novels and see my new book, Rosy, take off. I’m at a turning-point, because my current work situation is changing. For years, I’ve been employed by various airlines—driving constantly to the airport and working grueling hours. This March I’m eligible for lifetime flight benefits, so I’ll be leaving the airline industry. I hope to become more involved with the Durango Discovery Museum, which will be fun. Generally: I’m looking forward to less driving, more riding my bicycle, more time to write, more time to appreciate family and friends.
10. And finally, if you were stranded on a desert island what 3 books would you choose to have with you? The Complete works of Shakespeare, to inspire my forever, and the complete poems of Hafiz, to keep me sane. Plus a big blank book that I could fill. (Along with a pen and ink.)
Suzanne's blog: Who's Imagining All This?Facebook, Suzanne Tyrpak, AuthorTwitter @SuzanneTyrpak Featuring: Rosy (Dreams Can Become Nightmares) Amazon USAAmazon UKAmazon France Description: Small town girl, Sarah, dreams of finding love and fame in New York City, but following her dreams leads to a downward slide into the insanity of the late 1970s: nightclubs, sex, drugs, and violence ὰ la Magic Mike . Desperate to dig herself out of debt, Sarah becomes pole dancer, Rosy Dreams. But the more money she makes, the darker her nightmare becomes as she sinks into a world where no one can be trusted—especially the men who claim to adore her. As Sarah slips deeper into the underworld, she questions not only her dreams, but her sanity. She battles demons—imagined and real—fighting to survive the city’s brutality, fighting for her dreams, and ultimately fighting for her life.Note: Chapter Headings are linked to Amazon MP3 of song
When and why did you decide to become an Indie writer?About two years ago, my friend, Blake Crouch, told me the ebook revolution had begun, and he convinced me to self-publish. I’d been pursuing traditional publishing for years, had two agents, and several almost-deals. Until recently, self-publishing was considered death to a writing career, but for me, and many others (like you, Mel), it has been a birth.2. What genre do you write in and what genre do you prefer to read?I read and write eclectically: historical, contemporary, mysteries, thrillers, literary…but all my favorite books contain some element of suspense, some mystery that draws the reader through the story. The mystery doesn’t have to be a death; it might be psychological, might have to do with a relationship or self-discovery. I’m interested in women’s roles, now and throughout history. I’m interested in relationships, and I studied psychology, so my books deal with women, relationships, sex, power, and violence. Some of my stories are set in ancient times and some are contemporary—when it comes to love and death and sex, not much has changed. 3. Where do you sell most books, USA or UK, Amazon or Barnes and Noble?I sell most of my books on Amazon and iBooks. Right now, my novels are dedicated to Kindle Select. My short story collections are available everywhere. Generally, I sell the bulk of my books in the USA, but at times my books have done extremely well in the UK. At one point Dating My Vibrator (and other true fiction) was fairly viral in the UK Kindle Store.4. During your childhood who was your biggest influence?Hmmm…as far as writing goes, Frances Hodgson Burnett was my favorite childhood author. I loved
A Little Princess. Nancy Drew
was another big love of mine, and I loved stories about witches—
The Littlest Witch
and
The Witch of Blackbird Pond.
Growing up in New York, I was fortunate to be exposed to all of the arts, and I had some fantastic teachers. My parents sent me to ballet class (no doubt thinking the classes would help me lose weight), and I studied with Vitale Fokine, whose father choreographed Swan Lake for the famous dancer, Anna Pavlova. (I mention her in my new book,
Rosy (Dreams Can Become Nightmares).
Ballet played a big role in my childhood, as did theater. My teachers encouraged me to pursue my dreams—sometimes to the despair of my parents.5. Are you fortunate enough to write full-time?Not full-time…yet. Soon I’ll be dropping to part-time work, so I hope to have more time to write. Historical novels require a lot of time and research, and I plan to finish
Priestess,
the sequel to
Hetaera—suspense in ancient Greece,
early next year. Actually, I like having another job besides writing—work exposes me to a variety of people and situations. Otherwise I might become a recluse!6. If Hollywood came knocking who would you want to play your main character?If Hollywood came knocking, I would be delighted to let a casting director decide! Meanwhile, I’d go back to creating more characters. 7. Name 6 people, dead or alive, you’d love to have as guests seated around your dinner-table.I love to cook, and I love having dinner parties…and I have to say, I’ve had some great ones with the cast of characters in my life. But, if I could invite ANYONE I’d have to include the emperor, Nero, (whom I write about in Vestal Virgin) just because he’s so insane (but at my party, he would not be allowed to dictate the rules). And I’d love to see how Nero would interact with Mick Jagger. Then, to spice things up, I’d like to invite Marie Antoinette andCleopatra. And, for intellect, Gertrude Stein and Albert Einstein. A nice balance, don’t you think?8. What one piece of advice have you found the most important in your writing career?This from Terry Brooks: Write, write, write; Read, read, read; Write, write, write. Repeat.9. What are your plans for the coming year?In the first quarter, I’d like to complete a first draft of Priestess. In April, I plan to travel to Turkey, and I’m sure that trip will inspire more stories. I would love to publish two more novels and see my new book, Rosy, take off. I’m at a turning-point, because my current work situation is changing. For years, I’ve been employed by various airlines—driving constantly to the airport and working grueling hours. This March I’m eligible for lifetime flight benefits, so I’ll be leaving the airline industry. I hope to become more involved with the Durango Discovery Museum, which will be fun. Generally: I’m looking forward to less driving, more riding my bicycle, more time to write, more time to appreciate family and friends.
10. And finally, if you were stranded on a desert island what 3 books would you choose to have with you? The Complete works of Shakespeare, to inspire my forever, and the complete poems of Hafiz, to keep me sane. Plus a big blank book that I could fill. (Along with a pen and ink.)
Suzanne's blog: Who's Imagining All This?Facebook, Suzanne Tyrpak, AuthorTwitter @SuzanneTyrpak Featuring: Rosy (Dreams Can Become Nightmares) Amazon USAAmazon UKAmazon France Description: Small town girl, Sarah, dreams of finding love and fame in New York City, but following her dreams leads to a downward slide into the insanity of the late 1970s: nightclubs, sex, drugs, and violence ὰ la Magic Mike . Desperate to dig herself out of debt, Sarah becomes pole dancer, Rosy Dreams. But the more money she makes, the darker her nightmare becomes as she sinks into a world where no one can be trusted—especially the men who claim to adore her. As Sarah slips deeper into the underworld, she questions not only her dreams, but her sanity. She battles demons—imagined and real—fighting to survive the city’s brutality, fighting for her dreams, and ultimately fighting for her life.Note: Chapter Headings are linked to Amazon MP3 of song
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