Having an author interview with you is a great honor for me, Suzanne. Thanks for giving me this opportunity. Let’s start with a simple question. When were you born? 1946. So I’m ancient to you, Sam.

How many published novels do you have? One.

Are you working on a new novel these days? Yes, every day.

I read some of your short stories on Shortbreadstories.co.uk before the website became inactive. Do you still write short stories and do you get them published somewhere on the net? I haven’t written any short stories for quite awhile. I hope Shortbread will come back in some form.

How about poetry? Do you write poems as well? No, but I admire it.

What’s your favorite poem? Would you please share it with me? It’s “Hope is the thing with feathers” by Emily Dickinson

“Hope” is the thing with feathers –
That perches in the soul –
And sings the tune without the words –
And never stops – at all –

And sweetest – in the Gale – is heard –
And sore must be the storm –
That could abash the little Bird
That kept so many warm –

I’ve heard it in the chillest land –
And on the strangest Sea –
Yet – never – in Extremity,
It asked a crumb – of me.

Suzanne, is writing your main profession? No, I was a nurse for thirty-five years. Writing’s never paid the bills or bought food, but it’s given me much joy.

How much time do you typically spend on reading and writing per day? Three to four hours.

What’s the best thing about writing and being a writer? For me it’s the “click” when a story gets moving, gets real and I don’t want to stop.

Are you adventurous? Do you travel a lot? I was more adventurous when I was younger. Now my adventures are more in my head.

Are you a grandma? I read your children’s stories on Shortbread Stories and I did love them. Have you written any children’s stories lately? Yes, I am happily a grandma. I enjoyed writing the children’s stories, but haven’t written any lately.

Which is more challenging? Writing for adults or writing for kids? It’s adults for me.

How many languages do you know? Is there a language that you wish you could read stories in? I studied Spanish in school. I listen to Spanish music and wish I could understand more of the words.

Do you write nonfiction stories? No, the book I’m writing now is historical and I work to keep the history part correct, but I love making up the story.

And do you keep a journal? Yes, every day.

Suzanne, how do you describe your own real character? What are some of your strengths and weaknesses? I’m sensitive, shy, and slow but I’m a determined plodder, and always seeking.

Have you ever fallen in love with a male fictional character? No, but I had a male character come into a story I didn’t plan. He took over for awhile and I was sorry when he left.

Do you force yourself to keep writing even when you feel your mind is blank? Or do you wait until a brilliant idea crosses your mind? I keep rereading and editing, and never tire of that. I rarely get brilliant ideas, Sam, just nudges and insights. I love a story where there’s always more.

Is reading the best way to become a wise person? Reading’s helped me become wiser than I was.

Can you recommend three other options? I was lucky enough to hit a bottom in my life and ask for help. Help came and I continue to listen and learn and keep in the flow of that.

Do you enjoy listening to people’s real stories? Yes, and reading them.

Do you encourage your relatives, friends, and neighbors to tell their life stories? I’m a good listener and like to hear things, as long as they don’t go on too long about their illnesses.

May I ask you to share two favorite pleasant memories of life and writing?

Once I was at a farm after the hay was cut. As it got dark thousands of lightning bugs lit up the fields and the sky was a dome of stars.

In writing a lady shared that she got a day off from work because it snowed. She made a pot of tea and settled in a chair and read my book all day and liked it. Books have done that for me, given me an armchair adventure, and that’s what I’d hoped for.

What’s currently the biggest problem in the world, in your opinion? I’m going to answer this as I experience my own world, Sam. My biggest problem is fear. There’s anger, resentment, and self pity, for sure, but it boils down to fear.

And do you have any suggestions to tackle this issue? Love, and it takes many forms. But I do better when I focus on good, and there’s good every day. Then I say “How can I learn from this?” Fear is a good teacher for me, Sam.

Suzanne, do you use different methods to improve your writings?

I write all the characters in first person long hand as that’s my best flow. I get into their heads, then later I transfer it to the computer. I give each story time to age and cure and come back to it when it’s fresh and I see it new.

Before it goes out I read line by line aloud to hear the odd word, the extra word, and to catch the mistakes.

How do you measure your progress? When a story gets a feeling, sings in my head, and gets easy to read.

Would you please describe your ideal place for writing stories? A small room with many windows, I can see the sun rise. There are shelves with many books, a rocking chair, a small desk, a bed for a nap, and a door to shut out the noise.

How different is your actual writing place from the ideal one? I’m greatly blessed to have this room in my life. Unfortunately there are stacks of odd books, mail and papers to sort.

What are three things that every writer must avoid? Again Sam, I’m in my own life.

Avoid writing like someone else. I can learn from other writers and study their ways but no one can write my story but me.

Avoid – never-ever. Avoid “if you never have, you never will.” I went to my first college class when I was 47 – English 101. The teacher said, “I’m excited!” I was too.

Avoid measuring success by sales and numbers. I hope for a good story, told in a good way, and when it ends, I feel good.

How do you ordinarily celebrate your birthdays? My husband and I go out to eat or maybe he cooks, not too exciting at my age.

Do you believe our life on this planet is meaningful? Yes.

And what is the main purpose of life, in your opinion? To learn how to love.

When was the last time you read a story in front of a group of interested people? Have you ever done something like this? I read to my sons when they were little and they seemed interested, but that’s quite a while ago.

How can readers keep in touch with you? Do you have any active accounts on social networks? I don’t right now, Sam. I liked that about Shortbreadstories that we could read and comment back and forth.

How do you see the future? What will life be like 200 years from now? There will be great advances in solar, wind, and tidal energy. Also, advances in food production, travel, communication, and medicine. In your lifetime, Sam, you may see the paraplegic be able to walk. As humans, we learn from our mistakes. It seems slow, but compared to 200 years ago, we progress every day.

Suzanne Mays is the author of The Man Inside the Mountain. Interviewing her was one of my dreams and now I’m happy I got the opportunity. Thanks for reading! 😉