Other than through my publisher, Black Rose Writing, I knew nothing about Susan Sage other than she was an author. What caught my eye, judging by various Facebook posts, was that she seemed to share similar political beliefs, which warms my heart and makes us kindred spirits of sorts.
In other ways, Susan is like me because she worked in schools for over twenty years, both as a teacher and educator. During that time, she wore different hats: taught adult education, ran an after-school program, and tutored students of all ages. Originally from Detroit, she has lived in the Flint area for most of her married life. Her daughter, Sarah, lives in the area with her husband. No other kids, unless we count her two cats! She’s active in a local writing group and a book club. Outside of writing and reading, she loves to travel, star gaze, and haunt bookstores.
What was it that made you decide you had a story to tell and to become an author?
I don’t know if I ever made a conscious decision to become an author. My first love was poetry, though I’ve always loved reading fiction. At some point, the itch to tell my stories must have gotten so bad that they had to be written down. I’ve written both stories and poems since I was a young teen, though my focus has been on writing novels for the past several years.
As an author or writer, what sets you apart from others?
In my humble opinion, authors are all unique unless they’re writing fan fiction or harlequin romances. For someone at my point in life—I’m 68—I’ve written less than many others (four published novels). Maybe it’s because I’ve really had to work at it. Although writing has become easier for me over time, I’m not a natural storyteller, nor am I a natural writer.
How do your ideas for your stories present themselves? How do you know what story lines to follow and which to ignore?
I often develop stories from a single idea that I can’t stop thinking about, or an image from a dream. Story lines that I just can’t get excited about are usually the ones I wind up abandoning after my preliminary note-taking. I’m only tenacious in pre-writing to a point. I’ve got to feel passionate about whatever the subject matter is, or I bale.
What genre do you write, and why?
I’m a multi-genre author, but gravitate most to women’s fiction and Magical Realism, but I especially like Magical Realism because the possibilities—what’s around the next bend—always seems limitless. I love magic realism’s element of surprise, but I’ve also written historical fiction and psychological fiction.
Besides writing and telling a good story, do you have other talents?
I taught and worked in school settings for several years, so maybe teaching. I’m also a good whistler. Does it take talent to be a crazy cat lady? I’ve been told I’ve become one. Seriously though, I’ve pretty much focused all my creative energies on writing for a number of years now.
If you were to name one or two books that you deem unforgettable and that had a major impact on you, what would they be, and why?
SO hard to narrow it down, but if I must, I’d say, A Gentleman from Moscowby Amor Tolles. Great characters and a fabulous story. Also, One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Marcia Marquez. Magical Realism at its finest! A truly beautiful book.
What authors do you read regularly? Why?
Lately I’ve been reading a lot of indie authors, but as there are so many, I rarely read more than one or two books by a single author. In the past, I’ve read several novels by Joyce Carol Oates and Kate Atkinson. I enjoy character-driven novels better than others, and both these authors are known for their stupendous characters. Others though, too: John Irving, Charles Dickens, and Virginia Woolf, to name a few.
If you were to have dinner with 5 individuals living or dead, who would they be and why?
My parents, first and foremost, because they were great conversationalists and thoughtful people. Three others, eh? There are so many authors/poets/artists that I’d like to meet, but upon further reflection, I’d rather read their books! If I must narrow it down to three, I’d say, Jerry Seinfeld, Leonard Cohen, and possibly Joan Baez.
What is your writing routine? When you write, do you plan or outline ahead or are you a “pantser”?
I’m a morning writer and can only write after a cup or two of coffee. I do some revising in the afternoons, but always work on drafts early in the day. I used to be a “panster,” but now I definitely write a lot of preliminary notes and work from somewhat of an outline (nothing formal). Somewhere between a “plotter” and a “pantser,” I suppose. Guess that makes me a “plantser,” right?
Describe where you write and what an observer might find there.
I write in my home office. An observer would see a couple of messy desks, bookcases, and cat toys all over the floor. They would find this writer sitting on an old IKEA chair, blue-jeaned legs outstretched and feet on a footstool. I type on my laptop for a minute or so, only to stop and gaze out at the trees outside her window. A cat will sidle up to me, hell-bent on breaking my concentration. Will I stop what I’m doing to converse with the cat? It depends on the day.
When writing, how much do you read? Do you read in or out of your genre?
I don’t think I read any less when I’m writing, but then I’m always working on a book draft. Maybe I read a little less when I first begin a project. I read daily in the late afternoons and early evenings. And I enjoy reading all kinds of contemporary fiction, though I’m admittedly partial to the genres I most like to write.
Is there something you set out to do, but somehow, it didn’t work out for you? (In writing, or something else you felt was important to you at the time?)
A few times I’ve begun writing what I’d hoped would turn into a book, but never finished. It was back when I was working. I guess I thought I’d have more time and energy to devote to writing than I did. Somewhere in a desk drawer are my sketchy notes or rough drafts of a couple of chapters. For a long time, I thought I’d go back to them and pick up where I left off, but I’ve never been able to. ‘On with the new’ has always been one of my favorite mottoes!
What tips would you give to new or even experienced writers?
Life will get in the way of your writing and when it does—try to keep it in perspective. Don’t tell yourself that you’re not a writer because you’re not always feeling inspired to write. Establish a daily routine, or almost daily routine. Put drafts aside for a few weeks or a few months. I’m always astonished by how much more objective I can be when I do this. Also, follow your own drummer and don’t take the do’s and don’ts too seriously. Rules are made to be broken.
How did you “teach” yourself to write or did it just come naturally? What lessons would you pass on to others?
I took several creative writing classes in college, though I don’t know if I learned all that much about how to write in them. Probably received more tips than anything, as well as the understanding that it’s okay to write a shitty first draft. I think reading a lot of fiction continues to be my best teacher. Also, I’ve been in a writing group for several years. While fellow writers haven’t taught me to write, they’ve definitely helped me improve my editing skills. The best tips I’ve learned about writing a novel is not to write too much backstory in the first chapter. Active verbs really help bring flat sentences to life, and sentence flow really matters.
How do you handle a negative critique?
At first, I bristle and stomp about, but then I think about it and consider the source. There have been a couple of instances which later served to help my writing, but I can recall a few other times in which the person just had an axe to grind.
Is there a type of writing/genre that you find difficult to write? Why?
All the genres I don’t read, I would find tough to write. If you’re not motivated to read a certain kind of book, it would be tough to write it!
How important are the elements of character, setting, and atmosphere to a story, and why?
All three are incredibly important. Without them, the narrative would be flat. You’d be left only with the plot. That being said, I don’t think in-depth descriptions of characters, setting, or atmosphere are necessary for writing a good story. I think it’s important for authors to purposefully leave some things to the reader’s imagination.
Do you see yourself in any of the characters you create? How/Why?
I can’t seem to keep myself out of my main characters, or at least in part. Maybe I do this because we not only write what we know, but who we know—and who do we know better than ourselves, right?
Is there an unforgettable or memorable character that will not leave your head, either of your own creation or from a book you’ve read?
So many memorable characters from books I’ve read that it’s hard to narrow down! For some unknown reason, Alice, from Alice in Wonderland, has always seemed particularly memorable. Maybe it’s because of her curiosity about the world.
Tell us about your most recent book. How did you come up with the concept? How did you come up with the title?
My new book, Silver Lady: Travels Along the River Road, was released in December 2024.
Captain Cassie and her five passengers set off on a houseboat river trip. Not exactly a luxury vacation as society in 2033 is unraveling at an alarming rate. The nation is nearing collapse and the states are no longer united. It’s Cassie’s responsibility to safely deliver Silver Lady to its owner, over two-thousand miles away. The further the houseboat travels downriver, the stranger life becomes.
It isn’t long before they wind up in uncharted waters—on river branches that don’t show up on navigation maps. The further they travel downstream, the more surreal and dreamlike the trip becomes.
I wanted to write a novel that was more ‘protopian’ than ‘dystopian.’ One that would give a little hope to us during this time. The passengers are all survivors, despite the tragic mishap that awaits one of them. I hope I make the subtle, or not so subtle point, that the human spirit is indomitable, and that our creativity is a lifeboat on rough waters.
The title came to me a little easier than the previous ones. ‘Silver Lady’ is the name of the boat and is also a reference to Cassie, as she’s not exactly a spring chicken!
From your book, who is your favorite character?
Hmm, I’d have to say Cassie because of her tenacity and her need for human connection.
I hope you enjoyed this interview as much as I did. Check out other interviews with authors, along with my work, and tips for writers and readers at https://www.jrlewisauthor.com
I hope you check out Susan’s work. Thanks for following along on this journey with me. Until next time …
Susan Sage Contact Information:
Website: www.susansage.net
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mentorandhermuse.com
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/SusanSage.com
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8190102.Susan_E_Sage.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/zannasage
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/susan-e-sage
Links to Silver Lady: Travels Along the River Road
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