AT: Where were you born and raised?

Sue: I was born in Yorkshire but I now live in Nottinghamshire.

AT: What was it that first got you into writing and when did you start writing?

Sue: I suppose I've always dabbled but it wasn't until my kids grew up and I had time on my hands that I decided I needed something other than the day job to stimulate me.  

AT: Which writers have influenced you the most?

Sue: Alan Bennett is my favourite.
Other writers I like...Anya Seton for historicals, Martina Cole, Dan Brown and Minette Walters for thrillers, Carole Matthews, John O'Farrell and Marian Keyes for romantic comedy.

AT: Where do you stand on the nature v. nurture debate?

Sue: I think writing is a gift you're born with, but in my case, I didn't recognise I had it until later in life.

AT: There are a lot of courses teaching creative writing nowadays, but do you think that good writing can be taught?

Sue: I think you have to have some talent for it in the first place, a bit like having a musical ear. If it's in you, a writing course can bring it out.

AT: Have you entered writing competitions? If so, have you won any prizes?

Sue: I've been winner, short-listed/runner up in short story competitions over the years and my novel "Nearly Dearly" has also been short-listed/runner up.

AT: Do you have any short stories or poems published online? (If so, please provide the URLs):

Sue: I've had a story on Espresso and I think I still have some stories posted on www.jbwb.co.uk

AT: What kind of things do you write?

Sue: I love comedy romance. I'm now trying my hand at thrillers and chillers.

AT: What, for you, is the best piece of prose that you have ever written?

Sue: I got most enjoyment from writing the novel. Spending over a year with the same characters brought them to life and it was difficult to let them go when it was finished.

AT: What are you working on now?

Sue: I'm still writing short stories for the women's magazines at the same time the second novel is at the halfway mark.

AT: What is your writing day like?

Sue: I do an hour or so in my husband's shop early morning, then come home around nine-thirtyish to write. Sometimes it can be tea-time before I know it. Some days I do NOTHING writerly.

AT: What’s the most exciting thing about writing for you?

Sue: Days when the words just flow without any effort.Oh, and having met some wonderful, supportive on-line friends. I'm a member of The Wild Geese Writers, a closed on-line critiquing group.

AT: What’s the most frustrating thing about writing for you?

Sue: When I can't think up a single plot. I suppose I should also add coping with rejections here, but honestly, they don't bother me that much...well, in the case of short stories they don't. I just re-edit, jig them around a bit and send them off elsewhere. Rejections for the novel are more difficult.

AT: What’s the best piece of feedback that you’ve had from your audience?

Sue: Having Jean Saunders of Writing Magazine use one of my stories to illustrate Pitch Perfect Dialogue. 
And someone compared my writing to a best-selling author which thrilled me no end. She could have just been making conversation, I don't know...

AT: Do you write for a particular audience, or is your first priority to satisfy your own creativity?

Sue: I write what I find comes naturally, which is comedy romance. And NO I do NOT believe the chick-lit market is saturated and becoming unfashionable. That's a vile and despicable rumour put about by authors of other genres ;o)