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Taking time out for a quick chat with Suzanne Rogerson, author of Visions of Zarua.
Hello and Welcome to Nesie’s Place, Suzanne!
First question – how long have you been a writer?
It feels like I’ve been a writer my whole life. I know I loved writing stories from junior school and have vivid memories of rushing home to complete my English homework. The teacher used to give us a choice of story titles and we had to pick one and write a story. I loved it!
How long did it take you to write your first book?
I wrote my first book at the age of 12 and it probably took me about 6 months to a year. It’s scribbled in notebooks and has never been edited. Visions of Zarua took about 10 years from first idea to self-publishing it. That’s because when I finished Visions, I stuck it away for a couple of years took an online writing course and wrote the first draft to my new series Silence Sea Chronicles. When I felt ready to pick up Visions of Zarua again, I used a critique service, beta readers and spent a lot of time perfecting it before finally publishing it in 2015.
What’s your favorite genre to write or do you only write in one genre?
At the moment I only write fantasy books, though I have experimented with other genres in some of my shorter fiction. I feel naturally drawn to fantasy, so I don’t have plans to chance that any time soon.
Are you self-published, traditional, or hybrid?
That’s a difficult question to answer. I am self-published and have published three books so far, but I have also signed a publishing deal for the Czech rights to Visions of Zarua. I’m excited to say that it will be published in the fall of 2019.
Pantser or Plotter?
I am a mix of the two. When an idea comes along, I write until I start getting stuck, then I go back and plan the novel and rework everything. I know it’s not the quickest way to go about it, I still need to refine my technique.
Where do you get the most writing done?
I have two main writing spaces. A desk in the kitchen, which despite its location, I still manage to burn the dinner. I also have a desk in my summerhouse for the warmer months, so my writing time is normally split between these areas. The summerhouse is a great place to relax when editing and I would use it all year round if the English weather would allow me to.
Do you have pets who “help” or inspire you?
My cat, Poppy, often jumps on my laptop and adds her own little flourishes to my work. When she was a kitten she used to love sleeping on my desk, but more recently she’s taken to prowling around the desk until I stand up so she can steal my chair!
I shouldn’t complain though. She’s given me some lovely photo opportunities. As you see from the photos, she’s tried her hand at writing, and I think she’s quite proud of Visions of Zarua.
What’s your favorite genre to read?
I love reading fantasy.
Do you venture into other genres other than your preferred?
Yes, I also love to read thrillers and the occasional romance.
What are you reading now?
I have several books on the go at the moment. I’m reading a thriller – The Boy That Never Was by Karen Perry, I’ve also just started a fantasy Magic Study (Bk 2 in The Chronicles of Ixia) by Maria Snyder. I’m listening to a fantasy audiobook Gilded Cage by Vic James as well. I’m enjoying them all very much, for some reason it suits me having several books to focus on at once.
So glad to meet someone else who does that! People always give me weird looks when I say I’m reading three or four books at the same time. What’s your favorite beverage to read with?
I normally read at bedtime, so I only drink water then. But I still love to read in the bath and on those occasions, I would choose a hot chocolate if I’m not indulging in my favourite treat of an ice cream.
Totally addicted to social media or could you live without it??
I have become addicted to social media over the last few years, all in the name of research and marketing of course!
What’s the inspiration behind Visions of Zarua? Who’s your favorite character?
I love mystery and when this story came to me there were so many mysterious elements to explore. I loved that Paddren was a young boy when his visions started and he still hasn’t a clue what they mean. The only person who can help him is murdered and then the Royal Wizards want to sweep it all under the carpet. Paddren steps up and decides to unravel the mysteries for himself, meanwhile his best friend Varnia is just discovering her powers and hoping they will lead her to the family she can’t remember.
I have a soft spot for assassins, so even though Morrin doesn’t appear often in Visions of Zarua, he was one of my favourite characters to write about and spend time with.
What’s your next project or release?
In 2019 I will be publishing The Sentinel’s Alliance, the final book in my Silent Sea Chronicles trilogy. I also hope to publish a prequel to the series, so I’d love to find some time to work on that too.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Meet other writers. One of the best things for me has been meeting other aspiring authors through evening classes and through my blog. I think it’s so important for new authors to make those connections. I wouldn’t be self-publishing now if I didn’t have the support of my writing friends and their often brutal honesty!
Thanks for visiting with us today, Suzanne! Continued success to you and Happy Book-birthday to Visions of Zarua!
Thanks very much for featuring me, Nesie.
Keep scrolling to check out Visions of Zarua and enter Suzanne’s great giveaway!
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Two wizards, 350 years apart. Can they save the realm of Paltria from Zarua’s dark past?
An ancient darkness haunts the realm of Paltria.
Apprentice wizard Paddren is plagued by visions of a city on the brink of annihilation. When his master dies in mysterious circumstances, the Royal Order of Wizards refuses to investigate.
Helped by his childhood friend, the skilled tracker Varnia, and her lover Leyoch, Paddren vows to find the killer.
The investigation leads Paddren down a sinister path of assassins, secret sects and creatures conjured by blood magic. But he is guided by a connection with a wizard from centuries ago – a wizard whose history holds the key to the horror at the heart of the abandoned city of Zarua. Can Paddren decipher his visions in time to save the Paltrian people from the dark menace of Zarua’s past?
Universal Purchase Link – Universal book link
Visions of Zarua is only 99p for a limited time to celebrate the book birthday.
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Author Bio
Suzanne lives in Middlesex, England with her hugely encouraging husband and two children.
She wrote her first novel at the age of twelve. She discovered the fantasy genre in her late teens and has never looked back. Giving up work to raise a family gave her the impetus to take her attempts at novel writing beyond the first draft, and she is lucky enough to have a husband who supports her dream – even if he does occasionally hint that she might think about getting a proper job one day.
Suzanne loves gardening and has a Hebe (shrub) fetish. She enjoys cooking with ingredients from the garden, and regularly feeds unsuspecting guests vegetable-based cakes.
She collects books, loves going for walks and picnics with the children and sharing with them her love of nature and photography.
Suzanne is interested in history and enjoys wandering around castles. But most of all she likes to escape with a great film, or soak in a hot bubble bath with an ice cream and a book.
Social Media Links
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~ Giveaway ~
Win 3 x Paperback Copies of Visions of Zarua
(Open Internationally)
*Terms and Conditions –Worldwide entries welcome. Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below. The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days, then I reserve the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over. Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will be passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time I will delete the data. I am not responsible for dispatch or delivery of the prize.
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