I am a fan of Susan May Warren and was thrilled that she agreed to interview with us. I am confident that you will find her interview enlightening and entertaining. It is so exciting to learn more about one of our favorite authors. 
- What literary pilgrimages have you gone on?
I am a huge Ernest Heminway and F. Scott Fitzgeral fan, and loved the book A Paris Wife, so I took a day during our trip to Paris to retrace the authors steps on the left bank, going to Shakespear and Company, where they used to hang out and write, as well as visited one of the restaurants they haunted. Later, I took a trip to Key West to visit the Florida home of Ernest Hemingway hopeing some of the brilliance wears off on me!
- Does writing energize or exhaust you?
I love to write. My favorite day is one where all I need to do is dive into writing and spend the day with my characters. However…it is exhausting! To dig deep into the emotions of the characters, do the research, find the right storyworld, embed the metaphors and symbols, eke out the truth from the depths of the character’s journey…yeah, I’m useless at the end of the day. (thankfully I have an awesome hubby who loves to cook!) But next morning, I’m ready to hit it again!
- What are common traps for aspiring writers?
Thinking their story is ready after the first pass. A great story is rewritten, sometimes three or four times. I completely rewrote one of my books seven times. Even now, I don’t turn in a story until I’ve gone over it four times. So…write, then plan to rewrite!
- Have you ever gotten reader’sblock?
Oh, for sure!! I read a great series, then I wander around for a couple weeks trying to find my next great series. I am a fan of goodreads reviews—those often help and I will often take a chance on a book if it has good reviews, but not a lot of sales. I like finding those hidden authors.
- Did you ever consider writing under a pseudonym?
Yes. I have a few off-genre books in my head including time-travel and fantasy and I’ve thought they might do better with a pen name.
- Do you try more to be original or to deliver to readers what they want?
BOTH! I like unique twists on stories, and I try to bring readers to new places, geographically, or with characters. Most of all, I try to keep them on the edge of their seats. But, as an author I’ve made a promise to my reader to deliver a certain kind of book, and I try and give my readers what they want. Strong characters who grapple with truth and grace, a delicious romance and high adventure!
- What other authors are you friends with, and how do they help you become a better writer?
My writing partner is Rachel Hauck, and she and I are always reading books, discussing them, challenging each other to take our writing to deeper levels. We also keep track of each other’s stories, helping us stay on track with theme or plot. I am a much better writer because of Rachel!
- Do you want each book to stand on its own, or are you trying to build a body of work with connections between each book?
I am series writer, so I love big family, adventure and suspense sagas. Recently, I’ve been pulling sub-characters from past books to combine worlds so that readers will be interested in discovering those other worlds. Also, it’s fun for a reader to find a previous character in an unexpected way and catch up with them.
- If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?
Deep breath, stay calm, everything will work out. You have a good God who loves you.
- What’s the most difficult thing about writing characters from the opposite sex?
Making sure my men think and act and speak like real men, and not how I want them to think, act and speak!
Bestselling Author, Susan May Warren, Takes Readers on Another Riveting Adventure Into the Storm with Storm Front
“Everything about this story sparkles: snappy dialogue, high-flying action, and mountain scenery that beckons the reader to take up snowboarding.”
—Publishers Weekly, starred review for A Matter of Trust
Ada, Mich.—Award-winning author Susan May Warren has charmed readers with her action-packed Montana Rescue series. With this next installment, Storm Front, Warren executes the perfect blend of romance, adventure, and danger.
A tornado has destroyed a small Minnesota community, and among the missing are not only a group of students but PEAK Rescue team leader Chet King. Ty Remington will stop at nothing to rescue his mentor, not even when the girl he loved—and lost—walks back into his life.
A blogger for Vortex Storm Chasers, Brette Arnold didn’t expect her adventures to land her in the same place as Ty, the guy who she ran from over a year ago. She had her reasons and believes that falling for him again would only lead to heartache. But Ty isn’t the kind of man to give up—not on the missing students or on her.
Life and love hang in the balance in Susan May Warren’s breathless story of holding on to hope during a deadly summer of storms.