Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
When I retired in 2004 when we sold our travel business and immediately opened the drawer where three half written novels resided. Instead of immediately finishing these I started on a novel called GREEK LETTERS about Philhellene who left Cheshire in 1827 and travelled to Greece, this story expanded to a Quartet and suddenly the earlier novels seemed to fit into this family saga, from the early nineteenth century up to the present century.
Writing was something I had always wanted to do, but somehow working for a living always got in the way. As a child I loved to play with words, write for the school magazine, articles for magazines as I got older. After a magical early career as an air hostess in 1960, which led to my novel CAST A HOROSCOPE; a job as a PA for the editor of a motor racing magazine, who on Grand Prix weekends was the commentator for broadcasts (imagine working in the pits and paddocks with he who was then the equivalent of Eddie Jordan or David Coultard) and as the young do, I never gave it a second thought. Then in a desire to return to my native Yorkshire I set up my own business ‘Girl Friday’, a kind of do-anything-legal office. I got a taste for media recommendations at this time and life became exciting. Selling ‘Girl Friday,’ as I got married, I eventually took an Open University degree (to fulfill another dream). Then opened our tour operation ‘Filoxenia’ which specialised in fly-drive and holidays to remote and unusual parts of Greece, following yet another passion. When it became time to retire we sold the business; then writing in earnest began, while still living on the Pennine hills in Yorkshire, close to where I had been born. It’s a country life shared with my husband and two adult children and a succession of spaniels.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is Volume 4 of the GREEK LETTERS QUARTET, Much More Than Hurt. Although it the fourth volume in the Quartet, it is also chronologically the last in the Jigsaw series of 8 novels. The name just came to me because the book is quite sad with great uplifting moments. Rather like life itself. It was also planned as an answer to the question which of all the books a reader should read, if they could only read one; I am realistic I know some people read only a few books! Even so it is still very much part of the whole series.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Apart from getting up with the dawn when I was writing the first draft of the GREEK LETTERS QUARTET the desire to seek out a lonely olive tree to sit under to write on an ipad, proof read or edit I don’t think my writing habits are very unusual.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Lawrence Durrell, then Patrick Leigh Fermor and William Dalrymple.
What are you working on now?
Taking a break and writing a second children’s book: The Dog Who Swam and Swam and Swam”, a sequel to “The Puppy Who Didn’t Like Rain.” These books were inspired by my daughter’s Springer Spaniel, an adorable puppy who suffered from the disease Steroid Responsive Meningitis. I was going to write about the positive way to cope with this which as the name suggests can be kept under control, but it was too sad for a children’s book, even though the dog is now healthy.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I think I prefer using the internet, facebook, sites such as this, twitter. I have tried using bookshops, local outlets for the paperbacks but so often the books get damaged or dirty and it is dispiriting.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just do it. If you enjoy writing you were born to do it.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Write what you know. Do your own research, resist Google!
What are you reading now?
A very amusing memoir ‘A Kilo of String” by Rob Johnson, set in the Peloponnese, an area we love, twinned with Kind of Blue by Ken Clarke, I like reading political memoirs, of all persuasions.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Bring me a crystal ball!
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?
Mani by Patrick Leigh Fermor
From the Holy Mountain by William Dalrymple
Alice in Wonderland
A large blank notebook with lead and coloured pencils.
Author Websites and Profiles
Suzi Stembridge Website
Suzi Stembridge Amazon Profile
Suzi Stembridge’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
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