Pump Up Your Book Chats with Suzan Still

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Suzan,SonoraPass[1]
Suzan Still holds a masters in art and writing and a doctorate in depth psychology. A retired university professor, she also taught creative writing in a men’s prison, where she became increasingly concerned with issues of social disenfranchisement. She lives in the foothills of California’s Sierra Nevada Mountains with her husband and an assortment of rescued fur children.
You can visit Suzan at http://suzanstillcommune.blogspot.com

On Commune of Women

Q: Can you tell us why you wrote your book?

Commune of Women insisted itself on me. I was happily engaged in writing another book. It sort of fell on me, whole, from the ceiling when I awoke one morning. There didn’t seem to be any escape, so I complied and wrote it.

Q: Which part of the book was the hardest to write?

The structure of Commune of Women is unusual. I tell the story from each character’s point of view, in turn. It would have been much simpler simply to write from an omniscient point of view but I wanted to bring the reader into each character’s perceptions, as intimately as possible.

Q: Does your book have an underlying message that readers should know about?

I wanted to address some really serious issues that, unfortunately, are not fictional: the social disenfranchisement that lies behind terrorism, the global abuse of women and the insidious maneuvers of which our government—or any government—is capable.

On Writing

Q: Do you remember when the writing bug hit?

I wrote my first short story at eight and my first poem at ten. I was blessed to have parents who loved literature, themselves, and I was probably marinated in the love of writing, while still in the womb. I was in my twenties when I wrote my first novel, Owl Woman—which is still unpublished.

Q: What’s the most frustrating thing about becoming a published author and what’s the most rewarding?

I’ve been astonished that most often the very first question that’s asked me is, “Did you self-publish?” As a matter of fact, I didn’t, but even if I had, that question implies a subtle put-down that shows a complete lack of understanding of the immense labor that goes into writing and publishing a novel, by any means. I’m reminded of Aldo Carotenuto, in his book The Vertical Labyrinth, who says, ”Any man who thinks for himself and travels unbeaten paths provokes consternation and aggression, and becomes the target of abuse. . . .All those who have something new to say pay the price of hatred.” It saddens me that the launching of a creative endeavor, which should be a joyous event, can be so sour an experience for some. Wouldn’t the world be a better place, if they just used their energy on their own creative adventures?

On the other hand, that same event is filled with joy, encouragement and celebration. Friends and creative people who know what goes into the making of a new creation are wonderfully supportive. And the satisfaction of having done my best, for better or for worse, is tremendous. Of course, I hope that readers will love Commune of Women but I promised myself that even if I never sold a single copy I would still feel fine, because from nothing but an idea in the air I brought something tangible, worthy and enduring into being.

Q: Do you have a writing tip you’d like to share?

I always write where the heat is. I’ve never enjoyed writing in a linear fashion, from an outline. Inspiration strikes and I’m suddenly writing the last paragraph, or a scene from memory or a tiny piece of dialogue that will fade like a dream, if I don’t capture it, right now. I’ve lost many a wonderful idea or line or scene, by thinking it could wait to be written later.

On Family and Home:

Q: Would you like to tell us about your home life? Where you live? Family? Pets?

I live with my husband, David Roberson, in the foothills of California’s Sierra Nevada mountains. We live on top of a mountain—in fact, the description of the location and weather at Sophia’s house, in Commune of Women, is an accurate accounting of our place. We live in a converted barn, surrounded by our gardens, with our rescued fur children, Misha and Maclovio, who are dogs, and Panda and Sophia, the cats. I have two wonderful step-sons, Eric and Michael, who are grown and on their own.

Q: Where’s your favorite place to write at home?

I have two locations. One is at my desk in the living room. From there I can monitor household things like laundry and cooking and still write. But if I’m in a very serious writing flurry, I retreat to my second-floor writing room, where the animals can’t reach me and the phone doesn’t ring. I keep an electric kettle up there and basically hole up with my laptop and a cup of tea, for hours at a time.

Q: What do you do to get away from it all?

We have a favorite getaway, at an inn in San Juan Batista, near the old Spanish mission. It’s a quaint and quiet town and there’s a wonderful Basque restaurant where we’re gradually working our way through the menu.

On Childhood:

Q: Were you the kind of child who always had a book in her/his hand?

Oh yes! In fact, I usually had a book for every room in the house! I would go to the library and emerge with as many books as I could carry and devour them, in the week before the next visit.

Q: Can you remember your favorite book?

Without a doubt it was Winnie the Pooh. It still charms me. I credit it with my interest in psychology, because Milne drew such distinct and psychologically accurate characters.

Q: Do you remember writing stories when you were a child?

I wrote my first short story at eight and my first poem at ten. I can’t remember what the story was about but I still remember the poem by heart. It was about the huge limestone boulders that were uncovered by the miners, using hydraulic techniques, during the Gold Rush. And just yesterday, looking for photos for this interview, I came across a journal I wrote when I was eleven! I’d forgotten all about it.

On Book Promotion:

Q: What was the first thing you did as far as promoting your book?

I created a blog: http://SuzanStillCommune.blogspot.com/ I’m also participating in the publisher’s blog at Fiction Studio Books: http://www.fictionstudiobooks.com/Fiction_Studio_Books/Home.html.

And I set up a gmail account: suzanstill@gmail.com, so my readers can contact me with questions or comments.

Q: Are you familiar with the social networks and do you actively participate?

I am just learning about social networking. I have a Facebook account but I’m not active on it, right now. I’m also just starting to develop my blog. I’ve been so busy writing that this part of the world has escaped me, until now.

Q: How do you think book promotion has changed over the years?

It’s certainly far more the responsibility of the author than it used to be.

On Other Fun Stuff:

Q: If you had one wish, what would that be?

For the world, I would wish for an end to war, including the war on the Feminine, which enslaves and abuses so many women, globally.

For myself, I would wish that readers would love Commune of Women!

Q: If you could be anywhere in the world other than where you are right now, where would that place be?

I love France! I spent a summer in Aix en Provence, in an 18^th-century apartment near the cathedral, that was pure bliss. If I could transport myself to the countryside of Provence, I would be a very happy traveler, indeed!

Q: Your book has just been awarded a Pulitzer. Who would you thank?

First of all, Lou Aronica, publisher of Fiction Studio Books, for believing in Commune of Women. And then, my husband, David Roberson, for being such a wonderfully supportive and loving partner. And then, my Muses, who never fail me. And finally, the women of the world who struggle to uphold family and a sane way of life, despite tremendous odds stacked against them. They are truly an inspiration worthy of far more than a single book!

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Question of the Day

How do you make sales happen for you?

A lot of hard work! I sponsor a lot of on line parties, festivals and contests. Book sales don’t magically happen, believe me. An author has to work hard to earn her readers. And then she has to work hard to keep them by giving them something they’ll enjoy reading. I try hard to make my books worth a reader’s time.

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