What
is the name of your business and what do you tell other people you do? (such as
author, teacher, designer)
When
I meet new people I always tell them I'm an author...and a nurse. I don't
always wait until they ask, lol.
When
did you know it was time to stop treating your art as a hobby and start it as a
career?
I
never considered writing a hobby. I was always very serious about it, even in
high school writing stories for English class. And I made conscious decisions
about whether or not writing could fit into my life, especially when I had a
young family, was working the night shift at a hospital and bringing home a
steady paycheck. Once the kids were older and I had a long bus commute into
Portland I decided to see if I could finish a full length novel. I did and have
not looked back.
What
are some of the aspects of your job that people don’t see? For example, most
people don’t understand how much marketing is done by the authors themselves
instead of a publisher, and most audience members don’t see how costumes and
props are designed/chosen.
I
don't really look at writing as a job. For me, most of the time it's one of
those fun things I do, like designing the book covers, telling a story that
moves the reader to look at their life differently, setting that story free and
hoping it flies high. When you are an Indie author there is so much that goes
into making a finished, salable book, even I was surprised by the amount of
work it takes, and the number of hours. I guess that's what I would say readers
don't see. Hopefully they enjoy the results of all that work, which for me is a
labor of love.
Who
inspired/inspires you on those inevitable rough days?
This
is going to sound corny, but my mother, who's still with us thank goodness, and
now moving back to the place of her heart – Hawaii. Her life and how far she's
come is an inspiration. The saying, you've come a long way, baby, what
coined just for her.
 |
| Su - that truly is a fantastic cover! |
Name
a few of your current projects. For example, conferences, publicity, design
process, what you have for sale.
I
always have a long list of “things” to do, but of course my current projects
are books in progress. I just released the first Dragonkind novel, Dragon's
Thief – with my favorite cover, by-the-way – and have started the second
book in the series, Dragon's Keeper. I'm also in the middle of writing
the second Falling For A Hero novel, Bear's Full House. In the
back of my mind, I'm thinking of starting a series of novellas, not necessarily
connected; one of them Daniel and Abigayle's story (from the Dragonkind
Chronicles). I'm investigating Scrivener as a writing tool, and organizer for
my crazy way of writing a story. And I'm decluttering my life and how I go from
day to day. Does that count as a project?
This
question is a chance to meander or talk in greater depth if you’d like. Here
you can talk about what hobbies you pursue, how you refresh your well of ideas,
what you would recommend to other women interested in a career in the arts.
Thanks Linda, so much for having me. All I can add is...we
are each of us a work in progress. Pursue yourself, your best nature, love and
passion as you would that perfect latte, or dark chocolate, athletic goal, or
race for the gold. That perfect moment when everything comes together as it
should. When you are in that moment, whether in the arts, business, or just as
a human, you will have made it and your life will have been worthwhile. You can
find me at all the usual watering holes and at
www.susanlute.com. Come visit. I love to
chat.
Thank you so much, Su!
The Charming Man is a big fan of Mr. Hill's Locke and Key series of graphic novels. 
