New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Susan Stoker knows a thing or two about creating unforgettable heroes, high-stakes romance, and stories readers can’t put down.
We caught up with Susan for 20 Questions to talk about the books she loves, the habits behind her writing, the characters she can’t resist, and even a few surprises along the way.
1.Your best virtue as an author.
I guess that I’m type A? (of course that can also be a bad thing! HA!) But when I sit down to write, I just go-go-go until the book is done. It drives me crazy to have a half done book on my computer, so I feel a NEED to get it written. I also have a very good fast typing speed, so that helps too!
2. Your most quirky author habit.
I’m not sure it’s quirky, but before I start writing a series, I have first and last names all picked out for all the heroes and heroines. I even have their nicknames. But weirdly, I don’t always know how they GOT their nicknames, that tends to come once I get to “know” them a little more.
3. Your favorite quality in a protagonist.
A pretty easy question for me…I love me a protector. They don’t do it because of their job, or the uniform they wear, or because it’s expected of them, they do it because it’s who they are down to their core.
4. Your favorite quality in an antagonist.
Favorite might not be the right term, but I love me an antagonist who is obsessed. With the heroine, with power, with money, with control…any or all of the above. Because it’s inevitable that his obsession is going to be his or her downfall in the end!
5. What author would you like to share a meal with?
I’d give anything to have one more meal with Desiree Holt. She was the kindest woman I’ve ever met. She wanted everyone to succeed! I first saw her on that 60 minutes segment and she was adorable! She was everyone’s mom and grandma at the same time. I miss her.
6. When you aren’t writing, you are____
Playing Pokemon Go!
7. Your easiest book to write.
The first one! Protecting Caroline! After that it got harder and harder (mostly because I was hard on myself and wanted people to love each one just as much as they liked book #1!)
8. Your hardest book to write.
Pretty much every book 1 in a series. I don’t know the characters, I have to think of ALL the names. There are no other women for my heroine to have a girl-tribe with. It’s just difficult to get into the heads of all my characters in book 1.
9. Your ideal writing place.
In my basement (where it’s 68 degrees year round!) in my recliner.
10. Your favorite childhood book.
Watership Down. I loved that book!
11. The book you’ve reread the most.
These days I pretty much read romance exclusively. Some of my most re-read books are Mackenzie’s Mountain by Linda Howard, Releasing Rage by Cynthia Sax, Never Seduce a Scot by Maya Banks, and The Healer by Sharon Sala. There are a lot more I re-read that are more recent, but these get my vote because they’re older and because I’ve read them so many times!
12. Your favorite hero from literature.
Laura from the Little House on the Prairie books. I’m not sure if she really qualifies as a “hero” but she was pretty darn amazing and I read those books over and over as a kid!
13. Your favorite villain from literature.
Dracula by Bram Stoker of course! 🙂
14. The name of your autobiography.
This Wasn’t the Plan
15. Your favorite comfort food.
Donuts! I love them soooooo much!
16. First thing you do when you finish writing a novel.
Start thinking about the next book!
17. A secret talent you have.
I once balanced 5 spoons on my nose/face at one time.
18. Where have you always wanted to travel?
I’ve very lucky that I’ve been able to travel a lot. But I haven’t been to Easter Island, I’d love to see that. And Machu Pichu.
19. One tip for aspiring authors.
Get the words written. Don’t worry about what words they are at first. You can’t edit something that isn’t there. Don’t think too much about it, just get your story down, THEN you can go back and tweak it.
20. Puppies or kittens?
Puppies! (but honestly, I’m a sucker for the senior dogs more than I am puppies!)
About Susan Stoker:
New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author, Susan Stoker has a heart as big as the state of Texas where she lives, but this all American girl has also spent the last fourteen years living in Missouri, California, Colorado, and Indiana. She’s married to a retired Army man who now gets to follow her around the country.
She debuted her first series in 2014 and quickly followed that up with the SEAL of Protection Series, which solidified her love of writing and creating stories readers can get lost in.
Connect with Susan Stoker:
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