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Showing posts with label Susan Lute. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Susan Lute. Show all posts

Friday, April 12, 2013

Retreats, and why we need them.

Since the beginning of the year, I had had two vicious bouts with the flu (bad), house guests (great!), traveled to Las Vegas (more fantastic), conferred for a second tattoo (scary), and been to conferences.

Notice the one thing I haven't put in there? Yep. Actually writing.
This is Su.

This past weekend, I was able to fix that.

For me, at least, the purpose of a retreat is to claim a time and space to focus
And this is Darla!
on one task, surrounded by others who are following the same path. Everyone's combined efforts lift us from the everyday distractions and clears the mind.

I am blessed to know Susan Lute and Darla Luke. 
They graciously allowed me to join them at their weekend away in Waldport, Oregon. Tucked into a small cottage, the three of us shared silence, plot difficulties, and writing strategies. I foresee asking Darla for an interview on her mapping technique! ;)

Here I did more work than I had in the previous month.

I'm refreshed, ready, and full of mojo. Thank you, Darla and Su!


Here are a few pictures.

Bridge over the bay



Wild Strawberries, turning the sandy soil into a garden.



Su's work ethic amazes me.



The morning after a huge storm.




Thursday, February 28, 2013

Women in the Arts: Su Lute



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!