I'm excited to inform that I will be posting interviews throughout the month. This is a chance for readers to get to know up and coming writers.
This month I'm interviewing Suzanne Van Rooyen.
Suzanne is the author of YA novels THE OTHER ME and I HEART ROBOT, and the Rainbow Award winning SCARDUST. Her work can be found Amazon or her blog suzannevanrooyen.com .
A tattooed storyteller from South Africa, Suzanne currently lives in Finland where she finds the cold, dark forests nothing if not inspiring. Although she has a Master’s degree in music, Suzanne prefers conjuring strange worlds and creating quirky characters. When she grows up, she wants to be an elf – until then, she spends her time (when not writing) rock climbing, buying far too many books, and entertaining her shiba inu, Lego.
Which writers inspire you?
Suzanne is the author of YA novels THE OTHER ME and I HEART ROBOT, and the Rainbow Award winning SCARDUST. Her work can be found Amazon or her blog suzannevanrooyen.com .
A tattooed storyteller from South Africa, Suzanne currently lives in Finland where she finds the cold, dark forests nothing if not inspiring. Although she has a Master’s degree in music, Suzanne prefers conjuring strange worlds and creating quirky characters. When she grows up, she wants to be an elf – until then, she spends her time (when not writing) rock climbing, buying far too many books, and entertaining her shiba inu, Lego.
Which writers inspire you?
So many! I think Neil Gaiman has been one of my biggest inspirations not least for how he manages to weave humor into his stories no matter how dark they are. Maggie Stiefvater is another inspiration. Her prose is always so poetic yet accessible without becoming overly purple, and she has this ability to make the magical seem so real.
Author Suzanne Van Rooyen (above) Interesting, I've heard recommendations of Neil Gaiman's work by many readers and I am hoping to pick up one of his novels soon. I myself love humor writing and enjoy works by Janet Evanovich, Tina Fey and Mindy Kaling.
Author Suzanne Van Rooyen (above) Interesting, I've heard recommendations of Neil Gaiman's work by many readers and I am hoping to pick up one of his novels soon. I myself love humor writing and enjoy works by Janet Evanovich, Tina Fey and Mindy Kaling.
How much research do you do?
It depends on the book and what the story requires. I usually end up doing a lot more research than might be evident on the final page, but I think it’s a good thing for the author to know a lot about their subject material even if they only include a small portion of it in the story.
How often do you write and do you have a special time during the day to write?
I try to write every day but life doesn’t always let me. I aim to write at least 3-4 days a week in 2-3 hour chunks. Mornings work best for me, but I also enjoy writing at night – just depends on what I’m working on. Some stories need sunshine, others need shadows ;)
Where do the your ideas come from?
A variety of places: from song lyrics, artworks, movies or TV series, other books, real life, a snippet of overheard conversation. Anything can trigger a story seed.
I love the fact that real life inspires your writing as well. Most of my own writing comes from my real life adventures, some of which are so off the wall I wonder how I even made it out of bed the next day.
I love the fact that real life inspires your writing as well. Most of my own writing comes from my real life adventures, some of which are so off the wall I wonder how I even made it out of bed the next day.
What is your favourite motivational phrase?
Writing is rewriting!
Which famous person, living or dead would you like to meet and why?
Neil Gaiman. His words have had such an indelible effect on my own, I would love to meet the man behind my favorite books.
Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing as far as content?
Getting started. There is nothing more intimidating than a blank page. I don’t enjoy drafting – I find it rather stressful actually. I much prefer the revision and editing process when I already have something to work with and can shape the story into the form I really want
What do you do for fun?
I enjoy reading, gaming, taking long walks with my dog, Lego, and rock climbing. I find physical exercise to be a great cure for writer’s block or writer’s angst in general, so whenever I start feeling stressed out I always try to get my heart rate up.
Bloggers, this is all the time we have today. You can get in touch with Suzanne on twitter or facebook. Suzanne is also doing a raffle give away for a $50 Amazon Gift card and a paperback copy of A Hold on Me, Of Scions and Men, Gyre and Scardust, enter the link for your chance to win. I’m wondering what other people think about whether I should do a giveaway and what that giveaway should be. Tell me what you think in the comments below.
