What is the best thing that I love about my work? I love imagining. I’ve always been a daydreamer and allowed my mind to wander off on tangents and ask the “what if” questions. Writing fiction allows the flow of my thoughts onto the page. It’s like uncorking a bottle so things never get backed up mentally or emotionally.

What is my idea of perfect happiness? I would find a spot of beauty with the knowledge that, for a moment, all was right. Maybe a perfect meal with good company, laughter, a great book, a beach, an evening breeze. Peace.

What is my greatest fear? I grew up with a very anxious father. He was dedicated to the idea that something terrible would happen to one of his two children, so he was greatly over protective our entire lives. My brother died at age twenty-three of a rare form of cancer eight weeks after diagnosis. I nearly died during the birth of my first child. The doctors told my husband and parents they’d done all they could and to prepare. So, I really hate to say out loud that my greatest fear is something happening to one of my children, but it is. I hope I handle it better daily though.

What is the trait that I most deplore in myself? I struggle with a lack of patience toward myself and others. I love and I feel empathy, but I don’t suffer foolish behavior well. I’m not proud of this and I work daily to take deep breaths as I go through my day. I am hard on myself as well. I work hard to attain goals, but once I’m off and running, I want things to happen yesterday. My lack of patience with others is more about watching a lack of sensible behavior play out. People looking at their phones instead of their children at the grocery store and such. I’m a little old school like that. I work at not judging.

Which living persons in my profession do i most admire? There are very few overnight successes in this business. Those who have faced rejection over and over and persevered deserve our respect. Those who’ve gotten to the top, been knocked down and clawed their way back up again keep me going. Becoming a bestselling author doesn’t ever come with a guarantee it will repeat itself. Lines fold, agents and editors move on, and books flop. Scraping oneself up and starting over is admirable in my book.

What is my greatest extravagance? I’m a fan of personal maintenance. I get my hair done every six weeks, a facial once a month, and Botox for migraines and wrinkles every six months. I don’t do nails often or buy fancy purses or super-expensive clothes. I’m not a big shopper. But I don’t like to feel like I look a mess.

On what occasion would I lie? I will tell you that skirt does not make your butt look big. Because face-it, nobody ever needs to be told her butt looks big. I will omit certain unimportant facts to spare someone hurt. I’m not a liar by nature though. I’m pretty honest and most likely will be straight with you about serious things that matter.

What is the thing that I dislike the most in my work? When it’s hard. So hard that I struggle to sit down in the chair and make myself open up the file and do revisions I’ve already done six times. Or when I’m stuck. Or when I’m so sick of promoting a book that I just can’t.

When and where was I the happiest, in my work? When it’s easy. When the story is all coming together and I’ve had the Eureka! moment. It’s like running downhill and my fingers can’t keep up with the words tumbling from my brain. And I’m thinking how freaking awesome and brilliant I am. LOL. FYI: This doesn’t happen very often, so it’s like being high when it does.

If I could, what would I change about myself? I would have started writing ten years earlier. I wrote my first manuscript at age forty. Oh, to have learned the craft earlier! To have believed in myself and had the confidence that I could do it then. My kids were younger and life was so hectic in my thirties, but I really would like to add another ten physical years.

What is my greatest achievement in work? Not giving up through the mountain of rejection in submitting to agents. Taking the hits and soldiering on. I’m not blessed with a particularly thick skin as a human. I’m a terribly sensitive soul, and I take things very personally. Writing a book is like giving birth to a baby. It comes only from you. When someone tells you your baby is ugly, it’s pretty hurtful, because it’s your baby and of course you believe she’s beautiful! Until someone points out all her flaws. It’s harsh reality because they are the professionals.

Where would I most like to live? By the water. A lake, a river, or the ocean. I love the water. I grew up near Toledo Bend Lake in Northwest Louisiana. Water is calming and peaceful. I find myself hoping to live in a less populated area eventually as well. I’m from the south and will stay in this region.

What is my most treasured possession? Honestly, I’m way more about people than things. People matter. Things, not so much. I have a few of my grandmother’s personal items, a certificate of my grandfather’s from when he crossed the Arctic Circle, and my wedding ring. I have treasured photos of my children, my wedding album, etc. But to say there is one thing, I guess I can’t.

What is my most marked characteristic? If you mean physical characteristics, I would say my smile. I smile a lot. I try to anyway. At almost everyone I pass. My teeth aren’t perfect, but I notice when people have a nasty expression how much less approachable they seem. I’m dedicated to appearing approachable and friendly in case someone needs that. I call  my invisible “talk to me” tattoo on my forehead. I’m not sure how it got there, but no matter where I go, people ask directions, ask my opinion or for help in stores, tell me their life stories, etc.

What is my most inspirational location, in my city? My most inspirational location isn’t in the city of Atlanta, it’s about an hour and forty-five minutes into the north Georgia mountains at Lake Burton. I’m able to truly relax and find less distraction amidst such peace and beauty. If you’ve never visited the region, I highly encourage it. My sister-in-law has a lovely home on the water there and I’ve been extremely lucky over the years to have been allowed generous access.

What is my favourite place to eat and drink, in my city? That depends on my mood. One of our favorite local restaurants is di Paolo down the street in Roswell, GA. And we enjoy a great steak at Pampas from time to time. I grew up in a food-rich family in Louisiana, so much of our cooking, eating, and drinking happens in my own kitchen, though less so when I’m writing on deadline.

What books influenced my life and how? My parents owned a used bookstore when I was growing up in rural Louisiana, so I cut my teeth on endless commercial fiction. I began my love of reading with comic books, then moved on to Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys, and then to Harlequin Romances. I’ve diversified my reading tastes through the years with the classics, some literary fiction and memoirs, but reading has always been a constant. I think every book influenced me to some degree, some obviously a great deal more than others. The influence of books led me to becoming a writer, as it has most.

What authors most influenced my life? Along with the Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys, which I’ve recently found out where written by a group of authors, I adored Jude Deveraux, Julie Garwood, and Judith McNaught. Diana Gabaldon wrote Outlander and blew my mind. I now so admire Karen White, Joshilyn Jackson, and Mary Kay Andrews. Eloisa James and Kristan Higgins have both inspired me along the way as well.

You Only Die Once. What music would I listen on my last day? My last day play list would be as eclectic as my taste in food and books these days. I love country, classic rock, baroque classical, eighties funk, and the Jersey Boys soundtrack. The Four Seasons make me smile. Music lifts my spirits and adds a spring to my writing and my step.

Who is my hero or heroine in fiction? Why, Scarlett O’ Hara, of course. She was one tough gal, despite her obvious character flaws.

Who are my heroes and heroines in real life? My mom amazes me every day with her strength and resilience to care for my father, who has dementia. Normal people who soldier on and continue to find positivity amidst the toughest circumstances inspire me.

Which movie would i recommend to see once in a lifetime? Forrest Gump for so many reasons.

What role plays art in my life and work? Even if I didn’t write, I would have an artistic/creative outlet. I cook, paint, and craft. Art finds its way into every corner of my life no matter where I am or what I’m doing.

Who is my greatest fan, sponsor, partner in crime? My parents have been my biggest supporters from day one. My dad has advancing dementia but still asks about my books regularly. My mom has read everything I’ve ever written. I have a supportive husband as well. I’m very lucky.

Whom would I like to work with in 2017? A collaboration with southern authors would be fun.

Which people in my profession would i love to meet in 2017? So many. Nora Roberts is every romantic fiction writer’s heroine. She’s extremely prolific and I’d love to spend an hour picking her brain.

What project, in 2017, am I looking forward to work on? I’ve got a new one percolating in my brain and I’m not ready to put it out into the air yet. But I’m very excited about it, as it’s somewhat of a departure to what I normally write.

Where can you see me or my work in 2017? All the online retail outlets and several independent bookstores and libraries. My latest book, Christmas, Alabama goes on sale October 26th and is now available for pre-order. The entire Alabama series can be found at: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0753KCB69/

What do the words “Passion Never Retires” mean to me? I don’t think we have a choice in stopping or “retiring” from our passions. Writing is something that builds up inside me until the dam of words bursts. Stopping isn’t an option.

Which creative heroines should Peter invite to tell their story? Eloisa James, Kristan Higgins, Mary Kay Andrews, Joshilyn Jackson

How can you contact me?

I’m on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susannsandsauthor/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/SusanNoelSands Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susansands_ and you can email me at snsands@gmail.com