Q&A with Susan Ee Dec 7-8

[Enchanting]

Were you always a fan of writing stories when you were small?

[Susan]

Summer ♥ (Reina) wrote: "Has there been religious groups (or anything similar) that criticized your books because of how you illustrated angels? If there was, what did they say and what was your answer?..."

I asked a friend who was deeply religious how she felt about it. Her answer was that it's no different from science people loving sci-fi--it's fiction based on something they love. As far as I can tell, that's pretty much the response I'm getting from religious readers. Overall, my readers are pretty awesome from all quarters. :)

[Susan]

Dandelion wrote: "is there any progress on the movie adaptation thing? i am so looking forward to it ~"

It's in development, which is very exciting. It's moving along but very slowly...

[Susan]

Ails wrote: "Are you done writing book 3 and just waiting for it to be published next or next year? If not, is it atleast 50% done?"

I'm working on it! It's hard to say what percentage is finished since I don't write like most writers. Basically, my writing process tends to have two stages--"working on it" and "done." It's not a linear progression the way it is for most writers. But I'm working on it as fast as I can for you guys! :)

[Alyssa]

This book might be turning into a movie!?!? Ahhhhhh that is so exiting... Do you think you will be taking part in picking the cast and directing? That would be so cool :D Keep up with it girl, your amazing!!!

[Dani]

Hello Susan,

first of all, thank you sooooooo much for writing these amazing books! Angels are just so cool and you managed to write about them and make it so incredibly enjoyable!

My question concerns the archangel Michael, we haven't seen him yet (which is a shame because I think according to the Bible he's kinda bad-ass :-D) Is there a plan about him showing up in the next book(s)?

And another thing, have you ever seen photos of the French actor Gaspard Ulliel? He looks so much like Raffe I think!(So hot ;-))

Lots of love from GERMANY!

[Susan]

Rebecca wrote: "I have noticed a growing trend in teenage illiteracy. So I must start by thanking you for putting out engaging and exciting novels targeted at a YA/NA audience.

The most touching notes/ reviews are from young readers who say they hate reading but they somehow got caught up in Penryn & Raffe's story. After they finish the book(s), they search for more books to read. That's an amazing and humbling feeling to touch a person like that. I imagine that's a slice of what you teachers do every day.

What are your thoughts on reading in an age when technology is always expanding, particularly among teens, and do you think this will change the way that authors write (or people read for that matter) in the future?..."

Yes, I do think it changes the way authors write. I may be touching on that in my TEDx talk in Feb. It's a large and interesting topic...

[nai]

Hey Susan, though I have yet to read Angelfall & World After, I've heard many great things about your books and I'm planning to read them very soon.

My question to you is: What inspired you to write Angelfall?

[izzy]

Hey Susan :)

Firstly, thank you so much for writing these beautiful books. I haven't read such good books in a while.

My question is: Do you already know how many books this book series will have? I am pretty confused because some people are saying it'll be a trilogy but others claim that there are gonna be 5 books.

[Susan]

Emma wrote: "How did you come up with the characters, Dee and Dum?"

Those guys crack me up. I laugh when I'm writing their parts. They know that not everybody thinks they're funny, but they sort of like that. :)

They popped onto the page when Penryn was at the Resistance camp and I was wondering what kind of people would be there. Goofy, playful people would survive an apocalypse too, so long as they're also badasses in their own way. That's Dee-Dum. :)

[[deleted user]]

First off I would like to thank you for putting your time and effort into writing your books.

What was it that drove you to start writing, and how do/did you get your inspiration?
Also, are you planning on writing any other books soon?

[Susan]

Raph wrote: "why of all angels did you chose Raffe(Raffael)?and why the name Penryn?..."

I had heard the name Raffe in real life and loved it. (the Brits have told me there is no comparable sound that matches the way I say Raffe. Californians would say the "a" in Raffe the way they would pronounce ahh, or awesome.)

Penryn tells Dee-Dum that she was named after an exit off highway 80. It's actually true. :)

[Fernanda]

what is your writing process

[Susan]

Sarah wrote: "Susan, do you think that Raffe will be uncomfortable around Paige?"

Probably. I suspect everybody would be uncomfortable around Paige...except maybe her mom.

[Ana Flavia]

Susan, do you plan to write something like a short story with Raffe's point of view or perhaps the next book with both Raffe's and Penryn's POVs?

[Ana Flavia]

Hey Susan! So glad you're here answering our questions so let me ask you something... Raffe didn't appear enough on WA at least not to me and I really miss him with Penryn and all that. So... will we get to see what he felt when she kissed him(his memory) and will their relationship get more... serious/dangerous/sexy?

[K]

Do you plan on bringing Penryn's dad back into the equation at some point? :)

[Angel]

We don't really know much about Penryn's dad. Is he more involved with the whole angel history,like maybe he's an angel himself?

[Angel]

And thanks for taking time to answer questions, you're awesome XD

[Susan]

Mel wrote: "any more trips for you on the horizon to promote the next books? And where might you go next? As one of your first fans, thank you for dedicating World After to us!..."

Thanks for being a loyal reader from the beginning, Mel!

The next two events take place in Feb at the TEDx talk at Palo Alto High School, and at 92nd Street Y in NYC in April. I'll post details on my blog as the events approach.

[Susan]

Anja wrote: "Which part of the books was your favorite to write?"

The funny and fun bits! :D

[Susan]

Bethan wrote: "Hi Susan, just wondering if you've read any Angelfall fanfiction and if so, do you have any favourites? :P Thank you!"

Sadly, my lawyer tells me I'm not allowed to read any fan fiction or any unpublished fiction sent to me. :( Even more sadly, he says I can't look at fan art. I love fan art, so that totally bums me out. Those darned lawyers. No wonder so many of us want to be novelists instead! :)

[Jaci]

whaaaat? why can't you look at fanart? that's the best thing !!! :O

[J.A.]

How did you get started? When did it become clear that you might get a publishing contract?

[Susan]

Sarah wrote: "Do we ever get to find out what Pookie Bear was called when Raffe wielded her? :)"

Maybe. Not sure yet. Glad so many of you love her!

[Rebecca]

Susan wrote: "Rebecca wrote: "I have noticed a growing trend in teenage illiteracy. So I must start by thanking you for putting out engaging and exciting novels targeted at a YA/NA audience.

The most touching n..."


Wow! I would be super excited to hear the TEDx talk! Thanks for the response.

[Violet]

Hi Susan! What inspired you to combine two topics such as dystopian, post-apocalyptic societies and angels?

[tsukari]

Sort of a World After spoiler but would anything have been different if Ryn had chosen a 'better' name for the archangel sword? Thanks for being here and for mentioning my hometown (Sunnyvale)! No one knows where that is!! :)

[Susan]

H. S. wrote: "How has the publishing industry been treating you, and what do you think of the ongoing self-publishing revolution?"

I'm both pro-indie and pro-traditional publishing. I will likely publish both ways in the future.

I had a great time being an indie writer and love the freedom and flexibility. But traditional publishing can be pretty great too, if you partner up with the right teams. I started indie and now work with about 20 different publishers around the world.

If you're a writer, I recommend being open to all paths to publishing. The various options are different animals and they each offer different pros and cons.

[Susan]

Jaci wrote: "I wanted to ask if we're going to see more'pooky bear' and Penryn bonding in the next book?..."

I'm excited you guys like that development! I'll ask the characters how they feel about it... :)

[Susan]

Mags~CVAddikt~Chaos defies imagination! wrote: "Just wanted to say that I love Penryn's mom ... she's an amazing character, and I'm guessing she will surprise us in future books. She's the type of character you don't see often in YA, refreshing!..."

Thanks, Mags!

[Susan]

Enchanting wrote: "Were you always a fan of writing stories when you were small?"

Nope. I read a lot but didn't get interested in writing until I was well into my adulthood.

[Susan]

Jaci wrote: "whaaaat? why can't you look at fanart? that's the best thing !!! :O"

I know!! Painful, right?!

[Jaci]

Susan wrote: "Jaci wrote: "whaaaat? why can't you look at fanart? that's the best thing !!! :O"

I know!! Painful, right?!"

it is !!! will this change later on? or are you never allowed to look at it? :O

[Laura]

Hi Susan! Were there any last minute name changes for characters or names you just couldn't decide on or was it all sort of planned out in your head?
Thanks!

[Susan]

Alyssa wrote: "This book might be turning into a movie!?!? Ahhhhhh that is so exiting... Do you think you will be taking part in picking the cast and directing? That would be so cool :D Keep up with it girl, your..."

The producers are great folks, and I expect they'll involve me in some of the discussions, but I have no expectation that I'll play a major role in selecting either the cast or director. My job was the pick the right producers and then let them take it from there.

[Susan]

Fernanda wrote: "what is your writing process"

I like to mix it up. I dictate, I hand-write, I write in different colored ink on different days, I type into the computer, I draw brainstorming circles, I change locations, I write standing up, etc.

I freewrite my first draft then edit, edit, edit.

[Blue]

Will Raffe ever interact with Penryn's mom or sister?

[Sherley]

When did you realize you wanted to start writting books and has this always been a passion of yours?

[Susan]

Laura wrote: "Were there any last minute name changes for characters or names you just couldn't decide on or was it all sort of planned out in your head?"

I had a lot of trouble with naming a minor character for World After. I initially called him Captain Pete, but I have a friend named Pete and Captain Pete isn't a character he would admire. So I changed it to Captain Jack, but one of my beta readers told me that Captain Jack was a common nickname for a drug. Eventually, he ended up being Captain Jake. Poor Jake. Deep down inside, he's secretly Captain Pete. :)

[Susan]

Okay, I need to run off for a bit, but I'll be back later. I skipped a bunch of questions so I wouldn't just answer the first ones. If I get the chance, I'll loop back around to catch some of the ones I missed.

Great questions, everyone!

[Jeanie]

Hi Susan! Love your books. I will go on and on about them so instead I want to ask if you will be in San Antonio this coming year for Texas Library Association Conference in April 2014? My husband is a middle school librarian so I unofficially do a lot of his catalog development ;)

[Francis]

Hey Susan? c:

How do you plan before writing your amazing novels?
Best advice for budding writers?

Ahh, thank you!

[aqsa]

Hey Susan!

What do you think of love triangles? Do you see your series having one anytime too soon? Especially with Raffe being off-limits to Penryn!
Perhaps between Penryn, Raffe and Obi?? Even though Im ALL for Rafryn! ♥

[Lauren]

Hi Susan! I was wondering how long it took to write the books and then how long to get them published?
Also, how did you name your characters?
Thanks for taking time to answer all our questions! :)

[Harmony]

I loved Angelfall! What came first when writing Angelfall, the characters or the plot line? Can you give any advice for writers?

[Ashlie]

Hello Susan. I was wondering, do you had any tips for writing and publishing?
How did you create the world of Angelfall?

[Susan]

Jeanie wrote: "I want to ask if you will be in San Antonio this coming year for Texas Library Association Conference in April 2014?..."

No current plans, but if any of you would like me to come visit a U.S. conference, etc, feel free to contact my U.S. publisher at AmazonPublishing-PR@amazon.com.

[Susan]

Francis wrote: "Best advice for budding writers?"

Try freewriting. I do my best work during freewriting sessions.

[Susan]

Aqsa wrote: "What do you think of love triangles?..."

Hey Aqsa! I've been meaning to get back to you. I'm waaay behind on correspondence (as usual), even the ones I really want to respond to. Feel free to ask questions here since I'll be here all weekend. :)

Re love triangles--I think they can be fun but have been overdone in too many books in recent years. I think we readers can use a break from them for a while before we can really appreciate them again.