stillpoint

musings from Canadian author Cheryl Cooke Harrington ... home of The Write Spot

Wednesday, June 08, 2016

The Write Spot: Susan Fox

Welcome to The Write Spot, a bi-weekly author series spotlighting the many and varied places where writers write.


My guest for this twenty-third edition of The Write Spot is romance author Susan Fox. Susan wrote something like ten romance novels before striking it lucky twice in 2005: she finaled in Romance Writers of America®’s Golden Heart contest for unpublished authors and she signed a two-book contract with Kensington. Since then she has published two dozen books and a number of novellas, writing as Susan Fox, Susan Lyons and Savanna Fox for Kensington and Berkley. She also has two self-published books to her credit.

Susan's books have won numerous awards and this year she’s a finalist for Romance Writers of America®’s RITA award for long contemporary romance (for Love Somebody Like You). She’s an international bestselling author and her books have been translated into French, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, and German. Many are available in audiobook format as well as in e-book and print.

Susan has degrees in law and psychology, and has had a variety of careers, including perennial student, computer consultant, and legal editor. Fiction writer is by far her favorite, giving her an outlet to demonstrate her belief in the power of love, friendship, and a sense of humor.

Welcome to The Write Spot, Susan! Please tell us a bit about your personal Write Spot.



This is my at-home write spot—my office. It's temporary because our house is under renos (I’ll end up with a different room) and it's set up for efficiency rather than beauty, but it's great because it's a separate room with a door that closes and a woodsy view out the window.



Occasionally something catches my eye and I look up from my writing to see a deer wander by. Okay, it's a distraction, but it's good for the soul! I go back to my writing refreshed. Also, I have a nice big desk, a good chair, space for my business files (though my books are on shelves in the basement), and enough room to spread out. (And did I mention the door that closes, so I can cocoon myself and shut out the rest of the world?)

But I do also have two other write spots. In summer, we often go boating on our old 37' Shepherd (which looks a lot like a Chris Craft), so then I work with my little laptop, usually on the dinette table or sprawled on a seat—at least when I'm not lounging on the deck with a book in my hand or going kayaking (and hoping to see a seal).




In winter, we take our motor home (named Rex) to warmer, sunnier climes. When I'm not playing tourist, hiking or sprawling in a lounge chair with a book, I do manage to get in a few hours of writing every day. On Rex, I write in a recliner, on the bed, or at the dinette, and I take a small printer along to plug in when needed (and when we have power).



The writing setups on the boat and on Rex aren't as comfortable or as spacious as at home, but they have the bonus of lovely and frequently changing scenery. And, of course, sunshine in winter! I share photos of our journeys on my Facebook page, if you're interested.

What a wonderful assortment of Write Spots, Susan! You must find lots of inspiration on your travels. Other than your computer or laptop, what's the one thing you couldn't be without in your Write Spot?

Two things: my engagement calendar and the to-do list I print out each week. I know it's old-fashioned to use paper rather than a fancy app, but I love the photos in the Sierra Club books. Also, I like the constant reminder provided by having something tangible on my desk—and a place to make a physical tick-mark when I complete tasks!



There is something very satisfying about checking off tasks on a list. I do that, too. What are you working on now?

Authors have to have at least four things on the go at once, right? I'm celebrating the release of Ring of Fire, which is my seventh Caribou Crossing Romance from Kensington Zebra, and I'm doing page proofs for Holiday in Your Heart, the final book in the series (October 2016). I've almost finished Fly Away with Me, the first book in a new series called Blue Moon Harbor (also with Kensington Zebra) and have started work on the second title (both of which will come out in 2017).

I'm delighted that Publishers Weekly gave Ring of Fire a great review, saying "Fox…proves again that she knows what women want in a contemporary romance."

Where can readers find out more about you and your books?

My website is susanlyons.ca. It has information on all my books, including blurbs, excerpts, behind-the-scenes notes, review quotes, and recipes. I run a monthly opinion poll contest on my website, and you can also sign up there for my newsletter.

I'm on Facebook at facebook.com/SusanLyonsFox.


Susan's latest release, Ring of Fire, is available now.

She’s raising her son on her own, but that’s just fine with Lark Cantrell. Caribou Crossing’s fire chief comes from a long line of strong, independent women—who have lousy luck with men. Lark’s ex-husband walked out when Jayden was born with cerebral palsy. No matter—Jayden, now ten, is a bright, terrific kid, and the love of her life. When it comes to men, Lark is content with the occasional casual hookup; there’s no room in her heart for more disappointment.

Major Eric Weaver is in Caribou Crossing for one reason: to complete his rehabilitation so he can return to active service. Haunted by what went down in Afghanistan, his wounded soul isn’t healing as quickly as his body. But it’s almost impossible to resist the appeal of the sexy, feisty fire chief and her plucky son—not to mention the friendly, caring small town way of life. In Lark’s loving arms, the scarred soldier begins to believe he may finally have found his true home…








About The Write Spot:
I've always been fascinated by what goes on behind the scenes. Whether it's backstage photos from my favourite play, a peek into the kitchen where a chef is working her culinary magic, or simply a glimpse through an uncurtained window into a stranger's private world, there's an undeniable thrill of discovery, a sense of secrets shared. It's no surprise, then, that I'm immensely curious about where other writers do their work. I've blogged about it before in this post about my own 'write spot' and so enjoyed the comments, I was inspired to launch a regular feature here at stillpoint. Watch for The Write Spot every other Wednesday and join me as I discover the many and varied places where writers write.



stillpoint is the blog of Canadian author Cheryl Cooke Harrington

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23 Comments:

At 9:36 am, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Cheryl, thanks so much for inviting me to visit The Write Spot!

 
At 9:43 am, Blogger Cheryl said...

My pleasure, Susan. I enjoyed seeing your home base and your travelling Write Spots!

 
At 10:47 am, Blogger Anna Markland said...

Loved the pictures, Susan. Your fondness for all your writing spots comes through in the article.

 
At 11:01 am, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thanks, Anna - and thank you for dropping by.

 
At 11:18 am, Blogger Reggi Allder said...

Beautiful photos,Susan It must be nice to be able to cocoon yourself and shut out the rest of the world. : )

 
At 12:02 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thank you, Reggi. And yes, I'm definitely a cocoon person. I learned young, as an only child.

 
At 12:13 pm, Blogger Alice V said...

Lovely pictures, Susan. Afraid I can't write when I'm on the water -- too much to see!

 
At 12:39 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...

When we're cruising through the Gulf Islands, I usually don't write. But once we're anchored, I like it. I write a bit, glance around and smile, and then get back to writing. And there are a couple of benefits: no TV, and usually pretty iffy WiFi. So that rules out a couple of distractions.

 
At 2:25 pm, Anonymous Ros said...

What lovely photos, Susan! So many ideal places to write with so much to inspire you.

 
At 3:30 pm, Blogger 20Pat said...

These are such great photos of you, and the places you write, Suan. I feel I know you better.

 
At 3:35 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thank you, Ros and Pat. We all have our special places, don't we?

 
At 10:19 pm, Blogger jbiggar said...

We're truly blessed to live in a country that allows us to get distracted by the beauty surrounding us :)
Congrats on the Rita nomination and I love this cover!

 
At 10:28 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Jacquie, that is so true! And thank you for the congratulations. Yes, I love the cover too - Kensington has done such a fabulous job with all the covers for this series.

 
At 1:00 pm, Blogger Celia Lewis said...

Fabulous photos, Susan! And your photos are always gorgeous - I enjoy them so much on your Facebook page as well.
Love all your write spots!! Cheers.

 
At 5:41 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thank you, Celia - and thanks for visiting my Facebook page.

 
At 7:54 pm, Blogger Sheila Seabrook said...

Susan, I love the variety of your writing spots. Beautiful scenery and always something to spark your imagination!

And congratulations on becoming a finalist in the Rita!

 
At 8:10 pm, Anonymous Victoria M. Johnson said...

Hi Susan--
I love the views from your temporary office. Congratulations on your Rita nomination and good luck with the new series. Ring of Fire sounds like a great read.
Victoria--

 
At 11:53 am, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thank you so much, Sheila and Victoria. Fingers crossed for the RITA! I've read all the other finalist books and I have to say, they're fabulous. I'm flattered to be in these authors' company.

 
At 5:17 pm, Blogger Joanne Guidoccio said...

Hi Susan, Loved scrolling through these beautiful pix...so inspiring! Congrats on your RITA nomination...I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you. :)

 
At 6:28 pm, Anonymous Susan McNicoll said...

Three great writing spots Susan. I find nature so soothing and inspiring at the same time. And I totally agree with you about having paper lists of things to do and a paper appointment book, both of which I do too. Lots of luck moving forward with your writing.

 
At 11:57 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thank you, Joanne and Susan. And Susan, I wonder if there's something about Susans, that we like paper?

 
At 3:58 pm, Blogger Nikki said...

What great pictures! I love getting to see how/where you write. Those views are spectacular!

 
At 4:33 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I do love my views!

 

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