David Estes Fans and YA Book Lovers Unite! discussion
This topic is about
Susan Dennard
Author Q&A
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Susan Dennard (Author of Something Strange and Deadly) Q&A Jan. 20-23rd
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https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
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And thanks David!
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And thanks David!"
Twas me! ;-P
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to release this summer!! Although I am behind on this series, I still need to get a hold of the sequel to read!
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I'm interested in the writing process. What does your typical day look like?
What's your best fan moment?
I just read Something Strange and Deadly not too long ago, and I absolutely loved it! So, I have a few questions. :)I love books that are set in the Victorian era, so I'm curious as to why you chose that time period for the setting. Where did the idea for this series come from and what made you choose Pennsylvania?
Also,
What was the hardest part while working on this series? The easiest?
Thank you so, so much for taking the time to do this Q & A and answering our questions! :)
I haven't read this series yet, I am not a big fan of zombie books, but I do like the covers of this seriesWhy did you decide to write a book in the zombie genre and what attracts you to this genre?
Where do you like to write? Is there certain things you have to have to write? I have not had the chance to read this series yet but it is on my TBR list. I love zombie books and steampunk!
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Do you plan any other book series after the Something Strange and Deadly series?
Hey everyone! Thank you SO MUCH for having me on here. I am totally thrilled to be a part of this. :D1. Karen--What does your typical day look like?
My typical day starts at 5:15, when the alarm goes off. I groggily roll out of bed, make myself a tea, and let out my dogs. Then I’m at my computer/spiral-bound notebook by 5:30 (sometimes I write by hand, sometimes on an internet-free laptop). I work until my husband leaves for work at 7. Then it’s an hour break for breakfast and brain-clearing, and then it’s *back* to the computer/spiral-bound notebook. I take a break between 9:30 and 10 (usually I walk my dogs, which right now is SO COLD AND SNOWY), and then head right back to my desk until lunch. Afternoons are for emails and blog posts, and then at around 2 or 3, I return to the writing-related work until my hubby gets home.
Yeah. That’s the routine. Not too exciting, I know, but it’s productive. :)
2. Karen--What's your best fan moment?
I have had a lot of incredible fan moments—basically, *any time* I meet a fan is incredible. And humbling. And I more often than not tear up.
My most recent stand-out fan interaction was an email from a girl who had just finished SS&D. It was the first book she had *ever finished in her life* after years and years of struggling with reading. I totally cried reading her message.
3. Holly--I love books that are set in the Victorian era, so I'm curious as to why you chose that time period for the setting. Where did the idea for this series come from and what made you choose Pennsylvania?
I chose 1876 Philadelphia because that’s when the Centennial Exhibition was. I knew I wanted a Victorian/steampunk vibe in my story as well as dark magic/necromancy, and as I combed through Wikipedia for the best location, I stumbled on this Exhibition. It just seemed the perfect place for some zombie mayhem. ;)
4. Holly--What was the hardest part while working on this series? The easiest?
Oy, tough question! I can’t really come up with any part that was *easy*. Working with my editor was maybe the easiest, since she found the “errors” in the story and then I fixed them—unlike when I was revising on my own (prior to turning in a new book) and would have to spot all the plot holes/character inconsistencies/pacing issues/etc. on my own.
As for the hardest, I guess drafting the sequels was hardest. You get locked into what you’ve written in the first book, and sometimes what you want to happen—what seems like the best for the story—*can’t* because of what already passed in earlier books. But, problem-solving is a huge part of writing, so despite frequent groaning and hair-pulling, I did manage to make it all work.
5. Lola--Why did you decide to write a book in the zombie genre and what attracts you to this genre?
Interestingly, I don’t *really* qualify SS&D as a zombie book. That was a label my publisher gave it. I always saw the series as more of a historical dark fantasy since the Dead are rooted in magic and there are other creatures (ghosts, demons, mummies, etc.). But I think what attracted me to that sort of darker fantasy was what I grew up reading. Books like SABRIEL by Garth Nix or THE DARK IS RISING by Susan Cooper—even Harry Potter had some pretty dark stuff in it. Combine that with my childhood obsession with E.M. Forster, Jane Austen, and Mark Twain, and I guess it’s no surprise I wrote a historical dark fantasy. :)
6. Rachel--Where do you like to write? Is there certain things you have to have to write?
I really only write in a two places. Either I work at a tiny couch in my office with a little laptop desk thingy or I work at a standing desk my husband made me. I tend to sit in the early morning and then stand the rest of the day.
As for certain things I need to write, I definitely have a few! I *must* have something to drink—either a canteen of water, a mug of tea, or a hot coffee. Then, I *must* have music. Usually I listen to my Spotify playlists (I always make playlists specific to certain books) through headphones. I can’t get in the story-zone without my jams. Then the final important thing I need is my location. Simply sitting on my couch or standing at my desk tells my brain, “It’s go-time,” and I can slip pretty instantaneously into creative flow.
7. Rachel--Also what is next for you?
Next up, I’m working on an epic fantasy series, the first of which is called TRUTHWITCH. If you’re curious, you can check out my Pinterest board for it here: http://www.pinterest.com/stdennard/tr...
Oh, and I'm also doing this free, serialized space opera with Sarah J. Maas (author of THRONE OF GLASS). You can read that here: http://thestarkillerscycle.tumblr.com
8. Jenny--Where did you come up with the idea for a steampunk/gothic/zombie story?
I kind of knew from the get-go that I wanted a steampunk/gothic vibe—I have loved that sort of stuff since I was a kid. (DINOTOPIA, anyone? THE GOLDEN COMPASS?) But I wasn’t totally sure on the when or the where or the what until I spent a few weeks brainstorming. I settled on necromancy because I realized that zombies have always scared me more than any other paranormal element, and I figured if I was scared while writing it, then I could probably freak out a few young readers too. As for 1876 Philadelphia, well, you can see my answer above (in #3).
Hi Susan!!! Let me tell ya, I read your book (the first one) a few weeks back and WOW, that's about all I could say. It was SO good, so so good. As for my question:How do you plan ahead for the sequels?
THANK YOU!
Happy writing,
Natalie
P.S. Can we all take a moment to appreciate the awesomeness that is Daniel :D
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I also don't really think of SS&D as a zombie, I do think if more as Steampunk. Its my favorite steampunk book I've read yet!
Ooooo a new series, and its EPIC FANTASY...I need to read it NOW! lol (I love fantasy. A lot.) Ships! And lots of swords and battles! A Russian monastery! This looks amazing already!
I just looked at the Pinterest board. TRUTHWITCH looks amazing! I already can't wait to read it. :)
Do you listen to music while writing? If so what music? Love you!! And your books!!
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How do you plan ahead for the ..."
Yes we can appreciate Daniel, as long as we can also appreciate the awesomeness that is Eleanor!
Hahahaha Yay!! She's brilliant! Eleanor is my second favorite main character protagonist that's a female. That's a hard list to top XD
Thanks for coming to answer questions for our group, Susan! While I haven't read Something Strange and Deadly yet, I'm really looking forward to it - I sounds like it's right up my alley! :)Aside from the Victorian America era you chose to set Something Strange and Deadly, what other time period would you be interested in as a setting?
Thank you so much for all the great questions, guys!! Also, to Holly and Jenny and Natalie—thank you for reading SS&D!!! AAAAH! That means so much to me. <3 Seriously, it’s always surprising and wonderful to meet (er, e-meet?) people who have read.
Okay, now onto more questions!
9. Suzie--Do you plan any other book series after the Something Strange and Deadly series?
I have a ton of other books in the works. Right now, I’m working on a 4-book fantasy series (TRUTHWITCH is book 1 and you can check out the Pinterest board here: http://www.pinterest.com/stdennard/tr...). Plus, I have this free serialized space opera going on with Sarah J. Maas (you can read it here: http://thestarkillerscycle.tumblr.com/).
On top of that, I have some side projects I’m hoping to sell to publishers in the future. A horror series, another epic fantasy, a MG series…Lots of stuff! Too much, probably. ;)
10. Natalie--How do you plan ahead for the sequels?
Ah, that was tricky with the SS&D series—and it was an experience I learned a lot from for future series.
You see, when I sold SS&D to HarperCollins, I sold the second 2 books based on a very bare synopsis. I mean, all the synopsis basically said was, “Eleanor and the Spirit-Hunters go to Paris. Shenanigans ensue, and then they head to Marseille and eventually to Cairo.”
I had those locations simply from my research for book 1—Elijah’s character had to travel to those places, and I knew Eleanor would eventually have to retrace Elijah’s steps. Of course, knowing that your characters need to go to Paris and Egypt isn’t quite the same as knowing what they do once they’re there! Those scene-by-scene events were all discovered as I wrote…as were a ton of new characters—good and bad alike.
In all honesty, writing these sequels was quite hard because I hadn’t planned well and I’d written myself into a few corners with book 1. For my new series, I’m trying to approach the books with slightly better roadmap to start. Though I still don’t follow strict outlines, I have a better idea of what’s coming in later books as I write the first.
11. Suzie--Do you listen to music while writing? If so what music?
I can’t NOT listen to music! My books play out in my head like movies, and my playlists are like the movie scores. Plus, I actually listen to a ton of movie scores—and video game scores too. And of course, I’d be lost without my epic, trailer-style music. My favorite composers include Thomas Bergersen, Nick Phoenix, Lorne Balfe, Jesper Kyd, Bear McCreary, Hans Zimmer, Ramin Djawadi, John Powell, and Tan Dun.
If you’re on Spotify, you can check out the SS&D playlist here: Something Strange and Deadly or my current jams (for TRUTHWITCH) here: Truthwitch
12. Lauren--Aside from the Victorian America era you chose to set Something Strange and Deadly, what other time period would you be interested in as a setting?
Nice question! While the thought of enduring ALL THE RESEARCH AGAIN for a new time period seems incredibly daunting, I would still love to write more historicals one day. I’ve always had my eye on an alternate 1930s. Or else something in an alternate early 1900s. As for a location—I won’t know until I actually start writing. ;)
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My questions are: How long were you writing before you landed a publisher? How long after you started pitching SS&D did it take to get an offer? How did you calm your nerves as you were waiting for the potential publishers to read your manuscript? Thanks!!
13. David--How long were you writing before you landed a publisher? I written since I was a kid, but I wasn’t actually Writing For Real until I was 25 (I’m almost 30 now). I started to really hone my craft then (with books, workshops, critique partners, etc.) and research how publishing works. I started SS&D later that same year (in fall 2009), and I sold it in fall 2010.
That sounds fast when I type it up, but I should mention that I was a HUGE reader my whole life. I think that helped me inherently understand story structure and character—though I still had heaps to learn when I started to take my writing seriously. But I also was writing mostly full-time by then, so I had many hours each day to devote to deliberate practice.
14. David--How long after you started pitching SS&D did it take to get an offer?
I started querying SS&D to literary agents in October of 2010. I sold SS&D in Novemeber 2010. So basically, I got an agent and a book deal within a month of starting to query. BUTTTTTTT, I should say that my journey was totally not the norm. It typically takes months/years to get an agent and then months/years to get a book deal. While I most definitely worked my butt off to have the best possible manuscript for querying—and while I was also super thorough in my research and only queried people I *knew* would want SS&D—a lot of my quick turnaround was just fortunate timing. My agent was seeking steampunk (which I knew from an interview she’d done and that was why I queried her) and—as is an agent’s job—my agent knew exactly what editors would want SS&D.
I’ve totally had a series go out (a coauthored series at that) that never sold. That’s the way of the biz. If you have the right book at the right moment, things move fast. But that “right moment” might not come along until much later—hence the advice to never write to a trend.
15. David--How did you calm your nerves as you were waiting for the potential publishers to read your manuscript? Thanks!!
Wow, I guess I didn’t really calm my nerves. :) Ha. I obsessively checked my email for something from my agent (since she is the go-between on all publisher interactions) and I was lucky in that I didn’t have to wait very long.
BUT, I’ve been on submission for other things—after I sold SS&D—and I was way more zen about it the second/third time around. I might’ve obsessively checked email for a few days, but then I kinda just forgot about it. Like I said, it *usually* takes months/years to even hear back from an editor/agent, so my expectations were more realistic. Plus, I have writing to do! I can easily fall into that and forget about the book on subs. :)
Here was a question I got on Twitter:What's your fav cookie/any cookie recipes you'd like to share?
My favorite cookie is hands-down ginger molasses cookies. I'm generally obsessed with anything with ginger in it, so I suppose it's no surprise.
I also love snicker-doodles. If they're well-made, they just MELT in your mouth.
Oh jeez, now I am madly craving cookies.
Hi Susan *waves* - so happy you're here to answer our awesome questions!Here goes...
Are you a fan of The Walking Dead tv series? If yes, who's your favorite character?
In the event of a zombie apocalypse, what would we find inside your survival bag?
Why did you choose Steampunk as a theme for your book series?
What are your thoughts on self-publishing vs. traditional?
Susan wrote: "Here was a question I got on Twitter:What's your fav cookie/any cookie recipes you'd like to share?
My favorite cookie is hands-down ginger molasses cookies. I'm generally obsessed with anythin..."
I've never had snicker-doodles. I must ask someone if there's some found in Manila!
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What's your fav cookie/any cookie recipes you'd like to share?
My favorite cookie is hands-down ginger molasses cookies. I'm generally obsessed with anythin..."
I love both, and make them regularly at my job! I'm a part time chef at a senior assisted living facility.
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16. Dre--Are you a fan of The Walking Dead tv series? If yes, who's your favorite character?I’ve seen seasons 1 and 2, and OBVIOUSLY my favorite character is Daryl. I *might* have a crush on him, in fact…
17. Dre--In the event of a zombie apocalypse, what would we find inside your survival bag?
Um, I’m ashamed to admit that I don’t have a survival bag but more of a survival house. I’m hoping we won’t have to leave ‘cos we could totally live in my house—we have a well, a fireplace, and a garden. All we need to do still is fence it all in, and then I can say, “Bring it, apocalypse!”
18. Dre--Why did you choose Steampunk as a theme for your book series?
I’ve always loved steampunk as aesthetic. DINOTOPIA still remains one of my all-time favorite books. I also grew up obsessed with E.M. Forster, Jane Austen, and Mark Twain, so it’s really no surprise I’d head toward historical/steampunk for my first series.
That said, steampunk is really hard to translate onto the page. You can’t just have gears whirring without explaining WHY the gears and goggles and gadgets are there—and too much explanation/description quickly bores the reader. As such, I stuck to “steampunk lite”—there are definitely steampunk elements in the book, but it doesn’t dominate.
19. Jenny--What is your favorite thing about being a writer? What is your least favorite?
Hmmmm….my favorite thing is that I get to share my stories with others. Writing is so rewarding for me, but what makes it *especially* rewarding is meeting readers who “got” the book. Obviously my series and writing style aren’t for everyone—and that’s totally fine—but when I get to meet readers who felt the same way about the story/characters/world that I felt when I was creating it…Wow. That’s a great feeling because I know I accomplished what I set out to do—I was able to share exactly what I felt and saw with someone else.
Also, I see Heather has a question: What are your thoughts on self-publishing vs. traditional?
I don’t really see it as a “one versus the other” situation. With my fiction, I want to be able to reach as many readers as possible. For now, that means traditional publishing. With my non-fiction, I’d definitely consider an indie publishing route because it’s more of a niche market to which I’m appealing.
I think both options can be great—it just depends on what the writer hopes to achieve. And soon enough, since indie publishing is really taking off, it might be that self-pubbing offers me a broader reader-reach than traditional. If so, then I’ll totally explore that route for my fiction.
Susan wrote: "16. Dre--Are you a fan of The Walking Dead tv series? If yes, who's your favorite character?I’ve seen seasons 1 and 2, and OBVIOUSLY my favorite character is Daryl. I *might* have a crush on him,..."
You are NOT alone. I think I might have to put Daryl in my bag come the apocalypse! :D
Hey Sooz! Christina here :). I have a question about the writing process--if you could go back in time to while you were first drafting SS&D and offer yourself one piece of valuable writing advice (anything about the craft, about the journey, or publishing, etc.)--what would it be?
(I can't wait for Strange and Ever After! Ahhhh!)
21. Christina--I have a question about the writing process--if you could go back in time to while you were first drafting SS&D and offer yourself one piece of valuable writing advice (anything about the craft, about the journey, or publishing, etc.)--what would it be? Aw, man. That’s a tough one. I think my number one piece of advice would be, “Learn to let it go.” Publishing is so incredible, but once you’ve sold the book, it’s not really YOURS anymore. What your cover looks like, what bookstores choose to stock it, what reviewers say, and ultimately what happens to your series (does it take off? does it flop?) just isn’t in your control. I see every debut struggle with it—if only because no one really talks about what happens on the “other side”. We don’t know until we get our first cover that our feedback, while possibly listened to, is more likely to be ignored (as it should be! I’m not a freakin’ designer!). Or we might want to somehow *make* B&N stock more copies of our book or *make* our publishers pay for face-out shelf space in a bookstore—and we just can’t do that. And we can’t make a reader like our book either.
All the author can really control at the end of the day is what he/she writes. It’s far more effective to use my time to improve my craft and write more books than it is to stress out over what a blogger said or what my covers might look like.
That said, it’s REALLY hard for new authors to give up that control. We’re so used to controlling our characters and our stories and our online presence, that having to give up the reins on all the super-important-behind-the-scenes publishing stuff is quite a challenge.
So yeah—let it go, younger Sooz. Learn to let it go. You’ll be happier about all parts of your life if you do. :)
I have some more questions, so I hope that's okay! :)Who was your favorite character to write about? Your least favorite?
Also, I love asking this question, because every author answers it differently and has a unique way they write their stories.
Are you the type of writer who has to outline the whole plot? Or do you normally just let the characters and story take you where you need to go?
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Oh and I also really loved your answer to the question about traditional vs. self-publishing, I couldn't agree more!
One more for you: What's your favorite thing to do on date night?
What type of tea do you like to drink?
22. Holly--Who was your favorite character to write about? Your least favorite?Hmmm, hard question!! I guess you’re asking with regards to the SS&D trilogy. I have to say, I don’t really like or dislike characters—if I didn’t like them (even the nasty antagonists), I wouldn’t write them. That said, some characters definitely come out more easily than others.
For example, I really really enjoyed writing Oliver (he shows up in book 2). He just unexpectedly appeared as I drafted A DARKNESS STRANGE AND LOVELY, and I immediately understood him. As for Daniel—phew! I had a hard time with him. Not when I was crafting him from Eleanor’s point of view, but when I had to get into his head for A DAWN MOST WICKED (the prequel e-novella). It took me months and lots of failed drafts before I finally figured out who he was and what he really wanted. But despite all the trials with him (or maybe because of them), I absolutely adore his character too.
23. Holly--Are you the type of writer who has to outline the whole plot? Or do you normally just let the characters and story take you where you need to go?
Honestly, I do a little of both. I have a general idea of big events and I aim for those as I draft, but I discover small scene-size events on the way. And, if the trajectory of my story changes as I draft and my planned big events no longer make sense, then that’s fine by me! :) I figure out new big events, and aim for those instead…
Until, inevitably, it all changes once more. If you’re curious, you can actually read a way more in-depth explanation of my method here: http://susandennard.com/2013/10/11/ho...
24. David--What's your favorite thing to do on date night?
Oooh, date night. Fun question! I guess my favorite thing (in the winter) would be to cook dinner with my husband and then curl up with on the couch for a movie. Cliché, I know, but I really value our time together. In the summer, we’ll go for long walks with our dogs, and those are always my happiest, at-peace, together moments.
25. Heather--What type of tea do you like to drink?
Ginger tea is hands-down my favorite. I have at least one cup a day (or, today, I’m already on number 3 :P). It’s just such a sharp, wake-up kind of taste! :)
Here's a question from Twitter: What do you like THE MOST about being an author? :)I have to say that I most love meeting/interacting with readers! I wanted to be an author so I could share all the stories I have in my head and heart with others. So, when I get to meet people who have not only read my book, but who also "got it"--oh wow. That is SO rewarding. And it's totally my fuel whenever I'm having a tough day at the keyboard. :)
HEY Susan I love all your Books Including the StarKiller Cycle !! and i just wanna ask Do u think you'll be at BEA 2014 (it would be my first time there and it would be awesome to met you and will you be making any other novella in daniel's POV i love getting in his head !
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26. Calypso--Do u think you'll be at BEA 2014 (it would be my first time there and it would be awesome to met you!Sadly, probably not. It’s REALLY expensive, and I kind of blew my travel/event budget on doing RT this May. I’m sorry!!! I would SO have loved to meet you. :(
27. Calypso--Will you be making any other novella in daniel's POV i love getting in his head !
I’d really like to one day—or if not Daniel’s POV, then Joseph’s. Or—what I’d REALLY like to do—is write a fourth spin-off book set a few years down the road. But all that just isn’t in the cards right now because of my workload with other series.
Also, THANKS!! I’m so glad you enjoy my books and Starkillers!! Thank you so much for reading!! <3333
28. Jenny--What hobbies do you have (or have you had) other than reading and writing?
I wouldn’t say I have any full-on hobbies…but more like I tend to dabble in a bunch of different things. I love doing website design and animation/film-editing (I make all my own websites and made the SS&D book trailer); I enjoy sewing (though I’m still a major beginner at this); I like upcycling furniture/house things (I actually do this a LOT, but only because my husband and I are renovating our house); I like making beauty products (mostly lotions and hair products); and last but not least, I love cooking (but not baking; I’m a terrible baker). Basically, I like doing side projects with really tangible outcomes (unlike writing books, which can take so long before you have a finished product) on the weekends. This weekend: I’m making body butter and shampoo. :)
Phew, that was probably way more than you ever wanted to know.
Did you have critique partners/writer friends when writing your first book, or did that come after your book deal?
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David Estes Fans and YA Book Lovers Unite!
Books mentioned in this topic
Strange and Ever After (other topics)Something Strange and Deadly (other topics)
A Darkness Strange and Lovely (other topics)
Strange and Ever After (other topics)
And if you haven't checked out her books yet, I encourage you to try them! They are a great combination of sci-fi, steampunk, historical, and zombies!!
Questions
1. Karen--What does your typical day look like?
2. Karen--What's your best fan moment?
3. Holly--I love books that are set in the Victorian era, so I'm curious as to why you chose that time period for the setting. Where did the idea for this series come from and what made you choose Pennsylvania?
4. Holly--What was the hardest part while working on this series? The easiest?
5. Lola--Why did you decide to write a book in the zombie genre and what attracts you to this genre?
6. Rachel--Where do you like to write? Is there certain things you have to have to write?
7. Rachel--Also what is next for you?
8. Jenny--Where did you come up with the idea for a steampunk/gothic/zombie story?
9. Suzie--Do you plan any other book series after the Something Strange and Deadly series?
10. Natalie--How do you plan ahead for the sequels?
11. Suzie--Do you listen to music while writing? If so what music?
12. Lauren--Aside from the Victorian America era you chose to set Something Strange and Deadly, what other time period would you be interested in as a setting?
13. David--How long were you writing before you landed a publisher?
14. David--How long after you started pitching SS&D did it take to get an offer?
15. David--How did you calm your nerves as you were waiting for the potential publishers to read your manuscript? Thanks!!
16. Dre--Are you a fan of The Walking Dead tv series? If yes, who's your favorite character?
17. Dre--In the event of a zombie apocalypse, what would we find inside your survival bag?
18. Dre--Why did you choose Steampunk as a theme for your book series?
19. Jenny--What is your favorite thing about being a writer? What is your least favorite?
20. Heather--What are your thoughts on self-publishing vs. traditional?
21. Christina--I have a question about the writing process--if you could go back in time to while you were first drafting SS&D and offer yourself one piece of valuable writing advice (anything about the craft, about the journey, or publishing, etc.)--what would it be?
22. Holly--Who was your favorite character to write about? Your least favorite?
23. Holly--Are you the type of writer who has to outline the whole plot? Or do you normally just let the characters and story take you where you need to go?
24. David--What's your favorite thing to do on date night?
25. Heather--What type of tea do you like to drink?
26. Calypso--Do u think you'll be at BEA 2014 (it would be my first time there and it would be awesome to met you!
27. Calypso--Will you be making any other novella in daniel's POV i love getting in his head !
28. Jenny--What hobbies do you have (or have you had) other than reading and writing?
29. Heather--Did you have critique partners/writer friends when writing your first book, or did that come after your book deal?
30. Jenny--Have you been to RT or BEA in the past? What advice could you give for fans as far as going to a book convention?