Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a ‘mature’ woman, single but with a life-partner. Geoff came into my life when I began to write my novel and addressed all of my technical needs, and helped me research the fine points of military information. I have 3 adult children and 4 wonderful grand-children and spend my retired day’s painting (oil & watercolor), photography, and soon gardening. I have only written this single novel. It wasn’t a ‘desire’ to write a novel, but a ‘calling’ to write THIS novel in remembrance of someone I loved many, many decades ago.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Come Now The Angels – Five Marines in Vietnam: A Woman’s Story of War, Death, Love & Hope.
I lost someone close to me in the Vietnam War. Every time I visited Washington, D.C. to see old friends, I always stopped at Arlington National Cemetary to visit his grave. Shortly after a visit 12-years ago, strange things began to happen in my life, all related to Vietnam. I felt as if the universe was calling me to do something. I finally realized that my friend and all Vietnam Veterans wanted to be remembered. I began researching and after 2-years, was ready to begin writing. The world opened itself to me and assisted me. The most important assist was my partner, Geoff. He was recently divorced, living alone, and had reached out on a dating site looking for a ‘friend.’ I had been on the site unsuccessfully for a year or so, and logged in to discontinue my membership when I saw his post. We emailed for awhile, and in one of those emails, I asked him if he knew what “ROE” meant in the military. He replied with a single-spaced, one page definition of the “Rules of Engagement” and a discussion of its application. Geoff is a retired, U.S. Navy submariner. He has an extensive knowledge of the Vietnam war, the equipment and tactics used. He was a gift to me, and we discovered we had a lot in common. Geoff & I are now partners and he assisted my in writing this novel. ALL PROCEEDS FROM THE SALE OF THIS BOOK ARE BEING DONATED TO THE VIETNAM VETERANS OF AMERICA, ORGANIZATION. BUY THIS BOOK AND YOU WILL MAKE A DONATION!!!
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I can focus on a writing task for hours at a time. It’s not unusual for me to write non-stop for hours, and hours, breaking only for a quick snack before I’m back at it. Many times during this novel, Geoff would come to where I was writing at 4:00 or 5:00 in the morning and drag me off to bed. I keep copious notes, and reference materials, and immerse myself in this project so that I clearly understand all I can about the subject.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I literally have boxes of research materials. Books, Movies, Documentaries, related to Vietnam, the United States from the 1950’s to post-Hurricane Katrina 2006. I have listed the most influential in the “Resources” section of my book. It’s an impressive list of ‘who’s who’ with regard to history during this period.
What are you working on now?
I’m taking some online oil painting classes dealing with rocks. 🙂
Geoff and I took at least 3-weeks off after this book was complete. It was our first effort to write, edit, publish, and sell this book. We did it ourselves, and researched a LOT of sourvces to determine the best way to do it. We were exhausted. The CoVid-19 self-isolation we put ourselves in helped us focus on the book.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
We’re new to this, but read a LOT, and attended many online webinars related to all things about writing, publishing, editing, marketing. We used a combination of items at our disposal, best-practice of others, and shear force to move this book out to the marketplace. During the research period, I spoke with may Vietnam Combat Marines. They provided a lot of information, and were my beta-readers. They were all very impressed with my final result and promoted the book to their friends, and families.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
If you plan to self-publish – be ready for a task that is very different from writing your novel. Get ready for disappointment from agents and publishers. There are a LOT of great authors out there, and while you may one of them, you will need to work VERY hard to get your name and your work above the rest. Do not become disappointed. There is NOTHING like opening a box from a printer and seeing your work before you. YOUR BOOK!!
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
WIth regard to writing a novel: “Everyone is out to feed their families and make money. It’s a business based on simple economics. Don’t take it personally.”
What are you reading now?
My book. After 12-years of work, I want to sit down in my chair with a glass of wine and read about the people that were a large part of my life. It’s also time for me to come full-circle and grieve for the loss of my close friend, and realize that potential that is lost with every death in war .. the person that died, their family, friends. It’s all a ripple effect.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Nothing related to writing. I was called to write this book and it was exhausting. I had never written anything like this before. I knew nothing about writing a novel, and the plot of this story grew as I wrote. It became almost unmanageable in scope.
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?
The Bible – regardless of your beliefs, there are good lessons about love, compassion, and understanding.
Understanding Herbs and Natural Medicine
How to build something from nothing
My book – because no matter how bad it gets, there are those that had it worse, and survived.
Author Websites and Profiles
Susan Kummernes Website
Susan Kummernes Amazon Profile
Susan Kummernes’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile