Interview with Sue Perkins [suenz] on Whohub

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What did you first read? How did you begin to write? Who were the first to read what you wrote?

I think the first books I remember reading were the Bobbsey Twin books, but as I grew older the first adult style book was a Mills & Boon, can't remember the actual title.
I began to write when I was at primary school. Writing essays were part of the 11 plus exam for entry to grammar school in England. Although there were other parts to the exam, I'm positive it was the essay that got me the pass mark. Carrying on from there I've always dabbled in writing, but began to send my work out to publishers after I took a creative writing class to hone my skills.
My own writing, well the first would have been my creative writing teacher Joan Rosier-Jones, a New Zealand author who not only writes great books, but encourages others to write. Other people who read my first efforts were friends with whom I had formed a creative writing group.

What is your favorite genre? Can you provide a link to a site where we can read some of your work or learn something about it?

This has to be fantasy. I'm not really into paranormal or erotica, but I do like to write fantasy with a smattering of romance. I also like to write young adult fantasy for the 11 to 14 year old age group. So far I haven't had any of my young adult books accepted but I'm still plugging away sending them to publishers.
I've had two of my Sky Castle trilogy published and the third book is under consideration at present. Details can be found on my site http://www.sueperkinsauthor.com.

What is your creative process like? What happens before sitting down to write?

I'm not sure I have a process as such so I'll answer the second part first. Before sitting down to write I have to clear the decks to make sure I'm not disturbed. Washing, housework, shopping; all have to be done or at least enough so that I don't feel guilty. My best time for writing is on writer's retreats where I don't have to worry about mundane things, I can just get on with it.
The idea for a book usually comes with a character and a vague outline of the beginning and overall concept. Quite often the rest of the book doesn't fall into place until I start writing, then I write a synopsis of things as I think of them. I don't have any particular time for writing, I'm afraid earning a living and family have to come first.

What type of reading inspires you to write?

Definitely fantasy reading. Authors such as David Eddings, Anne McCaffrey, Trudi Canavan. Books about dragons or magic are my favourites. I also like reading romance books and young adult books, but fantasy is my favourite inspiration.

What voice do you find most to your liking: first person or third person?

I find third person easier to get the complete story across, and it also means I can have more than one point of view in the book. However for short stories I believe first person is the stronger of the two. So really it depends what I'm working on.

What well known writers do you admire most?

I admire any writer who can take me into the world of their book so that I get lost to the real world for a while. In particular David and Leigh Eddings, Anne McCaffrey, Trudi Canavan, Terry Pratchett, Phillip Reeves, Paul Stewart. These are just a few authors who write books that hold me spellbound. I also like a newly arrived author on the fantasy scene Christopher W Wilcox.

What is required for a character to be believable? How do you create yours?

My characters create themselves. The name comes first and that's about the only thing I decide on. As the story evolves I see the character come alive. Their personalities and appearances grow and fill them out into actual people. I think, and hope my readers agree with me, this makes them believable to the reader. I can see them in my head as I write them and believe this comes across in the story.

Deep down inside, who do you write for?

Basically I write because the stories inside of me have to be written. The initial draft of the story is written for me. By the time I've edited, fine tuned and prepared it for submission to a publisher it has become a novel for my readers.

Do you participate in competitions? Have you received any awards?

Participation in competitions depends on what book I am working on. Short story competitions have deadlines which can't always be met if I'm in the middle of editing or first draft. I was the 2006 Australasian/Pacific winner of the Commonwealth Broadcasting Association's Short Story Competitions.

Do you believe you have already found "your voice" or is that something one is always searching for?

My main voice is fantasy either Young Adult or Adult. However this does not stop me writing in other genres such as romance or even mystery. My main problem is finding the time to try other "voices".

Do you write on a computer? Do you print frequently? Do you correct on paper? What is your process?

In the beginning I couldn't write on a computer as the work side of the brain kicked in, but now I find I can write on my laptop. I never print out work unless it's a short excerpt for my critique partners to read so no, I don't correct on paper. This is probably because up to now I have been e-published. I write the first draft and always keep a copy of that, then I rewrite, rewrite, rewrite as many times as necessary until I fell I've got it up to the mark, then do a final edit before sending it off to the publisher.

What are you working on now?

I have just finished the first draft of a fantasy Young Adult novel which I have now put to one side to "marinate" while I concentrate on my new fantasy adult novel working title "The Sixth Key". I like both of these books and the adult one is flowing nicely into my computer. Hopefully I'll have the first draft finished in about six weeks.

What do you recommend I do with all those things I wrote years ago but have never been able to bring myself to show anyone?

First of all re-read them with the perspective of the older you. I reread my first full length novel recently and actually blushed that I'd had the audacity to send it to a publisher. If you think the story is worth saving, then rewrite, rewrite, rewrite until you think it's up to your present standard of writing. If you can honestly say you've improved it to the point where a publisher might be interested, then submit it before you get cold feet!

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