Susan Furlong - Cozy Mystery Author Spotlight, Interview and Giveaway

I am going to be hosting a number of cozy mystery authors on my blog for the next two months. If you have not had the pleasure of enjoying a cozy mystery I encourage you to do so. The cozy mystery industry as a whole is in danger of being lost as the publishers are ending a number of series. Please note that not all series I will be sharing are in danger. There are many that will be continuting on as normal. I just wanted to do my part to make everyone aware of this genre as a whole. 

Today I will be showcasing Susan Furlong

About this author:

Susan is a mystery writer living in the Midwest. She writes the Georgia Peach Mysteries (Penguin Random House) and also penned books four and five the New York Times bestselling Novel Ideas Mysteries, written as Lucy Arlington.

Watch for Susan’s new suspense novels, featuring a female MP/dog handler, coming in 2018 from Kensington Books.

Where to follow this author;

Web: http://susanfurlong.com/

Twitter: @foulplayauthor

Facebook: http://on.fb.me/17Gn0YJ

Interview:

1.Who or what inspired you to start writing?
I used to be a teacher, but when our first child--our son--was born, I wanted to be home with him, so I started writing to supplement my income. I worked as a translator and a contracted content/academic writer for many, many years. I started writing fiction in 2010. I began with short stories and eventually worked up to novels. My first novel was published in 2013 by a small press.

2. What do you do to help you get over writer's block?
Some days the words just flow. Other days, each word is an effort. On those days, I simply keep typing. That’s the only way I know to overcome writer’s block.

3. Do you have scheduled writing time or a certain amount of words you write each day?
I write full time, 6-8 hours each weekday. And sometimes on weekends, depending on my deadline schedule.

4. How did you choose this genre to write?
I read mysteries, so writing mysteries comes naturally to me.

5. Where do you get your ideas for your books?
My agent—who’s smart as a whip and very creative—often helps me brainstorm and develop ideas. She’s excellent at coming up with titles, too.

6. When you are not writing what do you like to do?
I love spending time with family: large meals, games, picnics, watching movies, or simply just hanging out together. I also like martial arts, shooting guns, hiking, fishing, kayaking, gardening, and just about anything outdoors.

7. What one piece of advice would you like to give to aspiring writers?
Discipline is key to being a professional writer. You have to be prepared to write through whatever life throws your way: illness, loss … stressful and difficult times. Sometimes the words are difficult, seemingly impossible even, but you have to keep pounding them out.

8. If you could visit anywhere in the world where would you like to visit?

Ireland

9. Five interesting facts about yourself
I can do the splits, both ways.
I can’t carry a tune, but I sing anyway. Loudly.
I love Twizzlers.
I’m not much for ‘small talk’.
I don’t like crowds.

What did I learn about this author:

Susan writes for at least six hours a day. She likes to going hiking, shoot guns and spend time outdoors. Her advice to writers is to use discipline to stay focused. Like me she does not like crowds. What did you learn about her?

Giveaway:

This giveaway is for the US only. The winner will be drawn randomly via rafflecopter. Once the winner has been drawn they will be notified via email and will have 48 hours to respond. If you do not respond a new winner will be chosen. It is mandatory that you leave a comment on this post. This will be verfied and if you do not leave a comment then your entry will be thrown out. Thank you and good luck.

Prize: There will be two winners for this giveaway. One winner will get their choice of Off the Books or Played by the Book and the other winner will get their choice of Rest in Peach or Peaches and Scream

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Stayed tuned for the next author!