Q: What one thing would you like readers to know about you?
A: Oh my, what a question. I think they might like knowing that I plan my books out years in advance so I know how to bring them a story today that they’ll still enjoy in three years, when a book that is birthed from today’s release. I have a huge white board in my office (2 actually) that lists all the stories, all the plots and the connective tissue between them. I’m always asking myself—what would my readers like to see happen? Who would they like to see again, and how can I enhance their reading enjoyment with deeper characterization and more gripping plots? And I’m always adding to that list. So, to that end, I’m always on the hunt for a great story!
Q: What is the craziest, most risk-taking thing you’ve ever done?
A: Well, until last summer, the answer was always—skydiving. But in all honesty, I was strapped to a former Navy jumper, and was probably very safe. This summer, however, I went scuba diving, 130 feet down in the Mediterranean Sea with an Italian guide who didn’t speak English, ran out of air at the bottom (I think it was faulty equipment) and survived buddy breathing all the way to the surface (including 2 deco stops, for the scuba divers out there). And, that was dive #1, so I went back down for dive #2. And survived that, too. (And saw grouper the size of a man!).
Q: Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
- I’m a popcorn addict. No really, I have issues. I would rather eat popcorn than almost anything. For breakfast, lunch…whenever.
- I was going to say that I’m a certified Scuba Diver, but I already let that out of the bag with the above paragraph so…how about this. I’m an Advanced Certified, Nitrox trained diver? (It’s not a big deal, but it sounds important).
- I love to swing dance. But I think people know that about me. And I love country music. Which I think they also know. BUT, did you know that I nearly got in a fist fight at a Michael Buble concert? Not my fault—I was watching my friend Rachel Hauck’s back as she was having a verbal tussle with some drunk and rowdy women in front of us. But, it did make me reach back to all my research and self-defense training and wonder…am I really the Sidney Bristow I want to be? Thankfully I didn’t have to find out!
Q: Would you tell us about your current book release, Knox, and where the idea for this story came from?
A: I love country music, and love going to country music concerts…so when I heard about the shooting at the Jason Alden concert, in Vegas, I couldn’t help but think, what would I do? I read reports about people who saved lives (and some who gave lives) and I wondered how that event might bond strangers together. And a story lit in my heart about a guy who was in the wrong place at the right time to save the life of a girl he’d just met. I was already noodling on a story about a family of cowboys from Montana, and my hero, Knox, suddenly stepped up to be that hero. From there, I explored the woman he saved…and just how she might save him back! And, how this event could actually be the start of an epic adventure that could span five books, five brothers (and a sister) and possibly bring the Marshall family together. It’s a suspense, a romance, and a story about overcoming your past even when it feels overwhelming.
It’s also the first in a very tight five-book series that all release in 2019. Each book leads to the next, so I wanted to get them out quickly for my readers. I can’t wait for them to meet this amazing family!
Susan May Warren
Susan May Warren is the USA Today bestselling, Christy and RITA award-winning novelist of over sixty-five novels. An eight-time Christy award finalist, a three-time RITA Finalist, she’s also a multi-winner of the Inspirational Readers Choice award, and the ACFW Carol Award.
A seasoned women’s events speaker, she’s a popular writing teacher at conferences around the nation and the author of the beginning writer’s workbook: The Story Equation.
She is also the founder of www.MyBookTherapy.com, and Novel.Academy, a school for aspiring novelists. You can find her online at www.susanmaywarren.com.
Yay! I love me a good Susan May Warren book! Can’t wait to read this one.
I love Susan May Warren books and popcorn! Country music – not so much!
Fun interview. I remember my mother eating leftover popcorn for breakfast in a bowl with milk like cereal. I think she ate it like that for a bedtime snack too.
I have to admit that I want to read Knox just based on the book cover. I guess that’s not a bad thing.
I love all country music and I am to a popcorn addict.
I would love reading your book