Interview With Author Susan Wachtman
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve written five or six books, depending on how you count them. I’m working on several more. It’s a fun hobby, not a living. My day job is teaching at an alternative high school, which can be exhausting. Writing wild and crazy stories is stress relief. Publishing — or attempting to publish– is stressful, but I do love seeing my work in print.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest published book is Snail’s Pace, which was inspired by my love for those intrepid Victorian women who disregarded the standards of their time and went haring off to explore, categorize, and reform the world. I’m sure they annoyed the people they came into contact with, as Susannah does, but they were also so amazing.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t think so… I’m a pantser– I write until I get stuck, then go back and rewrite until I get stuck again. I don’t recommend this method! I have tried to be more methodical, to plot and to outline, but I get bored and never stick with it.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
It’s a pretty eclectic mix ranging over many years — Louisa May Alcott, Mary Stewart, R.A MacAvoy, Elizabeth Peters, Connie Willis, Nancy Kress, Octavia Butler, Diana Gabaldon, Alix Harrow, Becky Chambers, Martha Wells, Katherine Addison, T. Kingfisher, Gail Carriger, and Terry Pratchett come to mind…
What are you working on now?
Mostly I am working on a YA creepy fantasy post-apocalyptic sci-fi about a friend group who take on an evil scientist who is trying to genetically engineer people-spiders.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
When I figure that out, I’ll tell you.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write because you love it. It’s too much work to do it for any other reason.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Do what you can with what you have where you are.
The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz is also great advice.
What are you reading now?
I am listening to Lovely War by Julie Berry.
I am reading on my phone The Stardust Thief by Chelsea Abdullah.
I am reading in print Cinders & Sparrows by Stefan Bachman.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I’ll keep on doing what I’ve been doing — write what I feel like writing, trying to publish when I feel like trying. It’s a labor of love and I gave up on the idea of making money at it a long time ago.
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?
Lol! A Trio for Lute by R. A.MacAvoy, Things Invisible to See by Nancy Willard, Great Maria by Cecelia Holland, and Desiree by Annemarie Selinko.
Author Websites and Profiles
Susan Wachtman Author Profile on Smashwords
Susan Wachtman’s Social Media Links