Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have just published my first book, “Shattered Crust: Yellowstone Bites Back.,” a suspenseful, fantasy where Native American legends surge to life through the earth’s crust at Yellowstone National Park.
I live in the beautiful Pacific Northwest and I’ve sprinkled my story with bits and pieces of this area, as it really is a wonderful place to live.
I have always been a creative person. I enjoy photography and a unique art form where I upcycle small pieces of magazine’s to create vibrant pictures on canvas. My art is on display in homes and galleries across the United States.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My book is “Shattered Crust: Yellowstone Bites Back.”
When I started writing this story, I did not intend on writing a book. I had been uploading a chapter at a time to a writer’s blog. After about the third chapter and multiple people saying that the story was “more than blog worthy,” I pulled the posts and started getting serious about making it something special.
It had started as just a simple love story, set in Yellowstone National Park. I wanted to bring suspense, mystery and fantasy into the story. I started thinking about how magical that area is. There really isn’t anything else in the United States like it, with it’s geysers and hot springs. There’s something comforting, yet eerie about the geothermal areas.
I did some research and realized that the Native American’s had a big part in Yellowstone history. So, I decided to create some legends and then make them come to life in my story. Once I added that element to the plot, the writing became effortless.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t think I have anything unusual when it comes to my writing habits. I just like to write! I’ll write everything that’s on my mind and then trim-the-fat later!
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I love the “Twilight” series and how the character’s transformed. I also love “Gone Girl” and how the author switched the narrator from one chapter to the next.
What are you working on now?
I am currently working on the sequel to “Shattered Crust.”
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m still in the process of figuring this out! I’ve started a blog on goodreads.com and am trying to get involved in the author groups. I also have a website, Facebook page, and a book trailer on YouTube.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
My advise is to just do it! If you enjoy writing, write! Don’t worry about your first, second, third or 100th draft! There’s always time to polish and correct grammatical errors at a later time. And, don’t worry about how long it takes. It’s hard to carve out time in this busy world. It took me six years to complete my book, as I was working full-time and raising a family. Just stick with it, and wonderful things will happen.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The best advice I’ve ever heard is a quote. I’m not sure who first said it, but I think of it often.
“Worry is like a rocking chair. It gives you something to do, but it doesn’t get you anywhere.”
What are you reading now?
I haven’t had much of a chance to read lately because I’ve been working on trying to promote my book. I do have a list going on goodreads.com of books I want to read when things settle down a bit though.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Currently, I’m trying to figure out the wild world of marketing! I’ve decided that writing the book was the easy part.
As far as what’s next for me as a writer, I am working on the sequel to “Shattered Crust.”
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
If I were stranded on an island and only allowed to bring a few books with me, I would bring “The Memory Keepers Daughter,” “She’s Come Undone,” and “Water for Elephants.”
Author Websites and Profiles
Susan Rose Website
Susan Rose Amazon Profile
Susan Rose’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile