I am so happy to introduce a wonderfully talented author, Susan Hart Hellman, to my blog for a quick interview about writing and her mystery novel, Catch 'n Release: The Game. Welcome, Susan!
Brief
bio: where you live, any other writing, job related or education info.
Hello, Sofia, glad to be here. I live in Southern California, and in addition to being a
novelist, I’ve been a freelance magazine writer and newspaper journalist for
many years. My work has appeared in The
Writer Magazine; Horizon Air in-flight magazine; Ojai Quarterly; the Ventura County Star; Recovery Living, and many other
publications. I was Executive Editor
of Your Wedding Day magazine, and
have also been an advertising copywriter, college instructor, and writing
workshop instructor, including those for seniors who wish to write magazine
articles and their memoirs.
I am working on the second in the Dr. Savanna Jamison
series, Ring Master; a fantasy
series; and a non-fiction book for writers.
The first in the Dr. Savanna series was Catch ’n Release: The Game.
My education includes a Master’s of Science degree in
psychology, with an emphasis in behavioral psychology, and research with
schizophrenia. After taking a break from educational studies, I’m planning on
completing my Ph. D. in clinical psychology this year.
SDG: What inspired you to write this book?
Catch
’n Release: The Game (C ’n R), stems from several levels of inspiration.
First, after leaving my second career in psychological testing, cognitive
rehabilitation, and research (a 15-year break in my writing career), I decided I
needed to return to my first love, writing.
However, I’d only written non-fiction for newspapers and in public
relations and advertising, so joined the Ojai Writing Workshop to see if I
could learn to write fiction too.
That group, itself, was an inspiration, and I
started writing C ’n R just as a learning tool, a writing
exercise, really. But the genre I chose, a psychological murder mystery, was
inspired by my work and education in the field of psychology.
SDG:
What was your approach to writing it (did it just flow or did you use an
outline or other preparatory method)?
Because Catch ’n
Release originated as a writing exercise, I did not use an outline, but,
rather, just started writing, trying to incorporate all the techniques I leaned
in the Ojai Writers Workshop and at writers conferences. But when it became obvious that that
“exercise” was turning into a novel, I did prepare several outlines. I had come
to appreciate the concept of outlining during my PhD program; it always helped
with the required extensive papers, so figured outlining would help with novel
writing too, and it did.
Now, however, I wouldn’t start a book, fiction or
non-fiction, without an outline because having that structure is how I work
best. Of course, that outline may change
a dozen times during the process.
SDG:
How long did it take to write the complete novel from first draft to edited
final?
Because C ’n R was never intended to be a novel, time was not a factor, and
I worked on it for about five years. I
used the novel to learn how to write a novel, and gave that a couple of years,
under the guidance of the Ojai Writers Workshop. I was in no hurry. Then, the
revision process took another couple of years, because I revised the whole
novel probably a dozen times, and some scenes and chapters more like several dozen times. Again, it was a
learning process, with no thought of publication originally. I was just enjoying
the challenge of learning writing technique, and enjoying the entire writing
process.
However,
although I’m enjoying the process with the next in the Dr. Savanna Jamison
series, Ring Master, this one is
going much faster! I’m working on a new fantasy series too, and that is also
coming together quickly.
SDG:
Can you tell us a little about your book and if you have had book signings or
readings?
This is my official synopsis:
Catch ’n Release: The Game, is the first in a series of psychological murder
mysteries, in which Dr. Savanna Jamison, Southern California behavioral
neuropsychologist, defense witness, and unintentional underground sleuth, is called upon to help defend a
strange looking, possibly brain-damaged man, killer of a girl in a sleazy bar,
Happie’s. The defense, spearheaded by
Savanna’s friend, Deputy Public Defender Macy Washington, seems clear cut:
killer grabs a knife off the bar; stabs and kills the girl; dozens of witnesses
see it. This killer is headed for death
row. Case Closed.
But the case is far from closed. Savanna dons her newest Armani miniskirt and
sets out to work, only to find that most of the witnesses she needs to
interview are clueless; the bartender at Happie’s appears to be leading a
suspicious double life; and the evidence has gone missing. Also, the victim and
her sorority sisters nationwide have been playing a complicated, dangerous
little game, Catch ’n Release. And
this is the good news!
Savanna unknowingly becomes caught up in
the game, and receives several death threat notes delivered in a most
unconventional way. And, she’s being stalked by a killer she previously helped
convict, but who’s been released from his life sentence on a little-known
technicality.
And, clear to everyone but her, Savanna’s
new romantic relationship is falling apart. It appears that everyone is playing
some version of one game or another, each with a common goal: catch what you can, release what you don’t
want, and never, ever be the one to get caught.
Yes, there have been several readings/signings,
including at a wonderful book launch hosted by Ojai’s Feast Bistro restaurant,
a location in C ’n R which Savanna
and Macy visit to hold all of their important discussions concerning the murder
case. More reading are being set up in
both Southern California and Oregon. Also, I did enter this novel into a
Writers Digest completion, and didn’t win, but received a glowing review,
including this statement:
“This book is more than a book: It’s a
well-conceived package that knows this book is not the end, but just a step in
the path. . . . The characters are
engaging, the scenes are riveting, and I absolutely love seeing the way
Savanna’s mind processes everything from the beginning of Catch ‘n Release to
the excerpt of the next book. Great work.”~ Judge, Writer’s Digest 21st
Annual Self-Published Book Awards.
SDG:
Are your family members supportive of your writing and what do they think about
your writing career? Yes,
very supportive. My partner tries to make sure I have
uninterrupted work time. My oldest daughter, Melissa Hart, is a freelance writer and
author of several non-fiction books, so she, of course, is all in favor of what
I do. My other daughter, Jennifer
Steinmann, does some very creative event planning, so she is certainly
supportive of other’s creative endeavors.
My son, Mark, with Down Syndrome, is thrilled because I work at home and
my flexible schedule allows me to “taxi” him to his dozens of Special Olympics
activities, social engagements, and dates with his girlfriend.
SDG:
Do you have any advice or words of wisdom for budding writers?
Definitely. If you’re serious about your writing, take it
seriously. Treat your writing career the
way you would treat your career if you worked in the corporate world. What
would you do to better yourself in that situation? Attend seminars, get your ideas and work
critiqued, develop a team, join professional groups? Do that, and more, to improve yourself as a writer too.
SDG:
What are you working on now? Is it in the same genre?
I’m
always working on magazine articles, and now also working on some short fiction
pieces, with the goal being to have them published in journals. My three large
projects include Ring Master, another
murder mystery, the sequel to Catch ’n
Release: The Game. As I mentioned before, I’m also working on the first
novel in a fantasy series, and a non-fiction
technical book for writers, which is nearing completion.
SDG:
What is the best time for you to write and does it ever interfere with your day
job, if you have one? Also, how long on average do you write each day?
Fortunately
for me, my “day job” is writing. I
write magazine articles and am also spending a great deal of time right now
ghost writing a memoir.
I’m
definitely a morning writer, because I’m a morning person. I guess from spending a great deal of my
early childhood on my great aunts and uncles’ farm, which had barely changed,
technically, from its homesteaded status, I got in the habit of starting the
day before the sun was up, and going to bed
very early. This included arising at 4:30 am to help my great aunts milk
the cows. This has stuck with me, but it
means writing at night is totally out for me.
My
average day of writing or writing related activities is at least eight
hours. I can easily write for 14-16
hours a day for days at a time if I’m really dug into a novel.
SDG:
Is writing, to you, a lonely occupation?
Yes, and I love it!
Being a pretty serious loner, having the opportunity to sit alone in my
office, writing for hour-upon-hour, suits my personality! However, don’t get me wrong, I do love
people, and try to go out for tea with other writers several times a week. Also, there is a lot of socializing in the
writing groups I attend (Ojai Writer’s Workshop, Ventura County Writers Club,
formal writers conferences several times a year). And when I teach writing
workshops, it’s great to chat with the attendees before and after class.
SDG:
What is your website and where can readers purchase your book or books?
My books are available on amazon.com, printed and -book
versions, and the e-book through smashwords.com.
SDG:
Author social media sites:
Twitter, Pinterest, Facebook,
LinkedIn, and I’m starting a new blog soon.
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