Author Interview ~ Susan Davis

Susan Page Davis is a Maine writer with 10 novels published or under contract. She has been a teacher and a news correspondent. Her first novel was published when she was 50 years old. Her husband, Jim, is a news editor. They’re involved in an independent Baptist church, and they have six children and three grandchildren (soon to be four). Susan loves history, genealogy, reading, horses, and writing.

You have a few books coming out, I understand. Would you like to tell us about them? Which excites you the most?

The honest answer is, the one I’m currently working on is always most exciting. The characters seem real for those months when I’m “living with them.” But Frasier Island, just contracted to Harvest House for spring release, is close to my heart. It will be my first published romantic suspense, and I’ve always wanted to be published in this genre.

My first children’s book is also coming out soon, a fantasy called Feather, to be released by JouneyForth in November ’06. Writing this was a joy.

My daughter Megan Elaine Davis and I have co-authored a cozy mystery, Homicide at Blue Heron Lake. That comes out in February ’07 with Heartsong Presents: Mysteries. I also have several more historical novels coming out with Heartsong Presents between now and June ’07. I love doing the research and writing about other time periods.

Tell us about your publishing journey. How long had you been writing before you got a contract? How did you find out and what went through your mind?

I started seriously writing fiction in 1999, but waited four years for a book contract. It was rough, and there were lots of days when I wondered if it would ever happen. When I started, I knew my stories were good, but after a year or two of rejection, I started having a lot of doubts. I studied, researched, and rewrote, trying to improve my writing. Then I sold a few short stories to national magazines, and that was a big boost. The day in 2003 when Jim Peterson called me to tell me I’d (finally) sold my book Protecting Amy to Heartsong Presents was the day of affirmation and rejoicing!

Do you still have self-doubts about your writing?

All the time! Especially when I sell in a new genre. I wonder how Feather will stack up against popular children’s fantasies. I wonder if Frasier Island will pull people into the story the way I hope it will. With my historical novels, it’s usually, “Did I do enough research? What if I missed something important?” And I always wonder if I’ve managed that fine line in romance—heartwarming, but not sappy.

Was there ever a time in your writing career you thought of quitting?

Oh, yeah. Every time I got a rejection. I have a huge binder full of them now. And I still get them, but now I have a great agent, Tamela Hancock Murray. She takes the direct hit for me and sends me a sympathetic email saying she’s sorry, but so and so isn’t interested in my book right now. It’s a whole lot easier having someone else deflect the blows. It doesn’t seem so personal. I know being multi-published has helped a lot in that area, too. I know now that if one publisher rejects a book, another may love it. They don’t hate me, or even necessarily hate my book. Combine that with God’s sovereignty, and it’s like wearing a bulletproof vest.

What mistakes did you make while seeking an editor or agent?

When I first tried to get an agent, I sent letters to agencies telling them about my great book and how I’d sent it to a million publishers and gotten a big stack of rejections on it. That told them I’d already run it past a lot of editors they might have had a chance with, and it probably also told them there was something wrong with my presentation.

What’s the best writing advice you’ve heard?

Keep writing. If you get stuck on a particular spot, skip over it and go on with the story. Later you can come back in fill in the gaps, but keep going!

What’s the worst piece of writing advice you’ve ever received?

“Why don’t you just self-publish that novel?”

Do you have a pet peeve having to do with this biz?

Waiting. I’ve never been long on patience.

What do you wish you’d known early in your career that might have saved you some time and/or frustration in writing? In publishing?

There are LOTS of people out there who will help you! American Christian Fiction Writers is an example. I didn’t discover the group until last year. I couldn’t tell you how much help I’ve received from members since joining.

Was there ever a difficult set back that you went through in your writing career?

One big disappointment was when Harvest House rejected Frasier Island in 2004. I was blue, let me tell you. It was so close! I sort of let it languish “in the drawer.” Then in the spring of 2006, editor Kim Moore contacted my agent and asked if it was still available. She had always regretted that HH did not buy that book, and she couldn’t forget it. Two years to the day after her first presentation of Frasier Island, it was again presented, and this time the committee voted to buy it. So, BELIEVE! It can happen.

What are a few of your favorite books?

To Kill a Mockingbird (Harper Lee); Cheaper by the Dozen (Gilbreth & Carey); Follow the River (James A. Thom); The Believers (Janice Holt Giles) {This is a tough question, as most writers no doubt know; usually whatever I’m reading today is my favorite, but those are some enduring favorites I would read again.}

What work have you done that you’re especially proud of and why?

Through the grace of God, my husband and I have raised six children and home schooled them all. Two are still in home school; one’s in college and three are college grads. Now, that’s a great backlist!

Do you have a scripture or quote that has spoken to you lately in regards to your writing?

The verse I chose for my seventh Heartsong Presents historical, The Lumberjack’s Lady, is: “Shall not God search this out? For He knoweth the secrets of the heart.” Psalm 44:21. No matter what I find in my path, God is there, and He knows the answers!

Can you give us a look into a typical day for you?

Are you sure you want to know? If I start the day at my house (I’ll explain that later), I get up between 6 and 7 a.m. and get right to the computer. This summer I’ve spent most of the day writing and jumping up to do other things like meal preparation, laundry, etc. During the school year, I spend quite a bit of time with my 11 and 13-year-olds. In the early evening I go to the gym if possible, then to my Dad’s. Every other night I sleep at my Dad’s, and so on alternate days I start out at his house, cooking breakfast, doing dishes and paperwork, then head home. I run errands on the way and then come home to salvage whatever writing time I can from the day.

Do you have a word or page goal you set for each day?

If I’m on a book deadline and am writing the rough draft, I try to get down a chapter a day. If I’m not on a deadline, I don’t worry about it. Whatever flows that day is acceptable.

Are you an SOTP (seat of the pants) writer or a plotter?

Ha, ha! I’m a reformed SOTP. I used to be proud of not outlining or writing a synopsis until after the book was finished. Then I realized I was doing massive mental plotting and planning before I began to write, and it would be easier to write down those plans and I’d be less likely to forget those brilliant little twists. Then I started publishing with Barbour, and after the first book they buy on the basis of your synopsis, so I HAD to plot first, and guess what? It really does save work later.

What author do you especially admire and why?

I admire any author who stuck with it! It’s hard work. But on a personal basis, I guess I would name two authors who have never disappointed me. You know how with most authors, some books aren’t quite as good as some others? Well, I haven’t read every one of these two authors’ books, but every one I did read was a keeper: Joyce Livingston and Cathy Marie Hake.

What is your favorite and least favorite part of being a writer?

My favorite part is hearing from readers who loved my characters. My least favorite (besides rejections) has always been marketing.

How much marketing do you do? What's your favorite part of marketing?

Now that I have an agent, Tamela does the initial marketing for me. That is a big relief, and it gives me a lot more writing time. I do enjoy book readings and signings, and I love telling people about my books.

Do you have any parting words of advice?

It will happen in God’s time.