An
Interview with Susan Gaston Curran
To
start this off, why don't you give an idea of what the book is about?
Blood
Dreams and White Lies is a suspense-filled tale of Jess Sullivan's search for the truth surrounding several murders, nightmares,
and the feeling that she's been stalked by the murderer.
Where
did you grow up and was reading and writing a part of your life?
I was
born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama. I've wanted to be a published author since my fourth grade teacher assigned a short
story to be written. I fell in love with the ability to mold characters and scenes, and then later kill people without committing
the actual crime.
Who were your earliest influences and why?
One
Christmas I received a Nancy Drew mystery. I think I read the entire series. Then I progressed to Agatha Christie and Mary
Higgins Clark.
What would a typical day be like
for a writer?
I
spend the morning reading other's works either critiquing or for pleasure. Some afternoons, I write the hours away; other
days, I gather information on writing on the web, or research for a new project.
How long have you been writing
and in what capacities?
As
I said before, that first short story in the fourth grade got me started. I was a reporter on my high school newspaper and
our literary journal. I spent only two years in college and frankly, they are a blur.
Which
is more difficult to write - Fiction or nonfiction and why?
Nonfiction,
by all means. I can't be as creative with it.
Has
there ever been a time when you wanted to throw in the towel and give up? And if so, how did you defeat those instincts?
One
agent told me that Blood Dreams and White Lies would never fly because no one would believe that Morgan Horses are bred in
Wisconsin. There are 50 or so farms in the state I discovered. I can't stop. It's part of who I am.
What is the hardest part about
being a writer?
I
think the toughest part for me is the loneliness. I've had to refuse invitations from friends so that I could finish a project.
Sometimes the invitations stop coming.
Do
you have any hobbies? What are they? How do they enhance your writing?
I
used to spend a lot of time in my garden. I studied landscaping. I love to golf. I've written two novels not yet published
and one that deals with garden shop, the other is set on a country club.
Articles
and media alike make it sound as though the only way to rise to the top is to sacrifice. What do you find to be good sacrifices?
I've
yet to find anything significant that Ive had to sacrifice other than drinks or dinners with friends. The true friends I've
found over the years understand.
What question do you get asked
more than any other?
How'd
you do it?
Whats the coolest thing a reader
has said to you?
The
owner of the company my husband works for told me that he started the book and couldn't put it down until he finished it.
What
has been your feedback from readers? What do they say to you about their interpretations of your book?
Most
readers have made positive comments. The only negatives have been the number of errors, and lack of character development.
Do
you think that as a writer you are more prone to watching what goes on around you and observing behaviors than most people
are?
I
people-watch whenever I'm in public. I love to watch the interaction between strangers. There is always a story there.
Who
are some of the authors you consider to be "don't miss"?
John
Grisham, Patricia Cornwell, Nevada Barr, and Dan Brown
If
one were looking to start his/her own career as a writer, what would you suggest his/her first step to be?
Read
everything she can about writing. Write everyday even if it's only for a half an hour.
What kind of movies do you enjoy?
Suspense
thrillers and action
What is your favorite city to visit, but one that you wouldnt want to live in?
Chicago,
Illinois
Whats the strangest question youve ever been asked in an interview?
Is
the main character in your book, you?
Whats the best part of being a
writer?
Doing
what I love and getting to see my work printed and bound
What's next?
I'm writing the sequel to Blood
Dreams entitled Sonset on EveningStar, and promoting Blood Dreams as much as possible
Betsie's Literary Page thanks Ms. Curran and hopes our
readers enjoyed learning more of this upcoming author, and we wish her all the best in future works.
