Fresh Fiction Blog | Susan Meier | What I Love About Reading and Writing

My birthday is April 22. The year I turned twenty-two, I was so impressed with the fact that I was turning twenty-two on the twenty-second that I set out to make my birthday a national holiday - or at the very least a local one - greatly annoying my older sister.

Now, there was nothing special about me. I was a single legal secretary with no reason to get her name in the church bulletin, let alone the local paper, let alone a national anything. But I really liked to have a good time.

Who doesn’t at twenty-two?

I wasn’t a bad kid. I wasn’t even wild or deliberately obnoxious. The problem was I hated to be bored.

So I wasn’t surprised eight years later, when I turned thirty and threw a major hissy fit.

My husband said, "What is wrong with you?" I said, "I’m bored and not doing anything I want to do with my life." He said, "What do you want to do?" and I said "Write." And he said "So write."

Who would have guessed that two simple words would not only stave off boredom for the next _ lots of years.. but also start a career that’s been an absolute blast!

For one, I love airports. Going to conferences a few times a year gives me an opportunity to fly and eat five-dollar-a-slice-pizza and pay three dollars for a bottle of juice that should be a dollar-fifty. Who wouldn’t love that?

Second, I adore meeting new people. Conferences and contact with fans over email and at booksignings give me a chance to meet tons of people.

Third, it takes a lot of work and energy to write a book and I am never bored.

I write and rewrite every scene. I try different versions of scenes. I write and rewrite my synopsis. Then I create a storyboard to accommodate the changes I make while I’m writing. I research locations. I research occupations. I interview people.

And I do all this while keeping up a house, helping my oldest child (who is disabled) navigate life, being a wife, friend, mom, mentor, sister, aunt and cousin to thousands of people. (That’s an exaggeration, but not a huge one. There are 11 kids in my family. Sixty-three members in my immediate family.)

I love it.

I love getting up before everyone and putting in three or four hours on my stories. I love pouring over details. I love rewriting things, challenging myself to get it right or make it better. I love grammar. I don’t think anyone can know too much about grammar so I’m always reading grammar books. And writing how-tos. I have shelves and shelves of books on writing. And I read and reread them.

Some people might think I’m crazy. I don’t argue. But I’m crazy in love with having the honor of being an author. My goal is to give readers the best possible books. Because, having been a reader for thirty years before I decided to add writer to my list of life duties, I know how much a good book can mean to a reader. I still get chills when I read something that’s above and beyond the other books in its genre. I still sigh with delight. I still become a fan girl when I see my favorite authors.

And I want to give that experience to you. I want you to laugh and cry with me. I want you to cheer for my characters and sigh with relief when they finally realize they are made to be together and that being together will enrich their lives. I’m sighing now, just thinking about that blissful feeling. That’s what I try to give readers in every book I write. A little bit of bliss.

I might not be able to make your birthday a national holiday. Heck, I wasn’t successful in making my own a national holiday. But with a little extra effort I can give you bliss.

I think I reached that goal in MAID FOR THE MILLIONAIREand MAID FOR THE SINGLE DAD, my first "duet" for Harlequin Romance. The heroines in these two books have been abused. Liz by her father and Ellie by a former boyfriend.

But these two women are the most determined, most generous characters I’ve ever created. Liz owns a business and works to employ women who need a second chance. Ellie has such an accurate sixth sense about people that her friends call her Magic. Both deserve love. So their heroes had to be incredibly special. Cain remodels homes, donating both his time and the supplies to the charity Liz supports. Billionaire Mac is frazzled a hands-on dad for his two adorable children, Lacy a six-year-old and Henry still a baby. I hope you feel the bliss I felt writing that moment in each book when Liz and Ellie finally open their hearts to love again.

Susan

Comments

I love your outlook of life; you've made me curious, very curious, about your books.
(Diane Sadler 9:38am April 20, 2010)

Thanks, Diane! Go to my website and there are excerpts etc!

susan
(Susan Meier 11:59am April 20, 2010)

You have such positive energy.Your post really made me think about things. I will be checking out your website after I leave this one.
(Leni Kaye 12:10pm April 20, 2010)

You are a remarkable person. Your zest for life makes me tired, but you made me want to read your novels. Good luck!
(Rosemary Krejsa 1:00pm April 20, 2010)

We should all celebrate those
milestones of our lives. The more
spectacular the better. As you get
older, each milestone is even more
important. I think people forget to
just celebrate life and all the little
things that make it worth living.
Those milestones become times for us
to look where we have been and where
we are going. Then we can decide it
the path we are taking is what we
want, or if we need a little detour or a
whole new direction. Enjoy writing
your books for us to enjoy.
(Patricia Barraclough 10:13pm April 20, 2010)

I just love the way that you look at life. I am very interested in your books and will be on the look out for them.
(Cindy Olp 11:35pm April 20, 2010)

I love airports too. The mix of people from all over is exciting. Keep writing!!
(Mary Preston 4:08am April 21, 2010)

Leni

I'm one of those people who is naturally positive. It took me decades to realize others werent' so lucky!

So I appreciate it! LOL I never take it for granted that I can see the sunny side of the street.

susan
(Susan Meier 7:17am April 21, 2010)

Rosemary!

I make myself tired sometimes! LOL

But I have been truly blessed in my career.

I never take it for granted.

I think you'll like this summer's two releases. Thanks for the good wishes.

susan
(Susan Meier 7:18am April 21, 2010)

Oh Patricia! Your post was so true. It's the people who forget to celebrate milestones who burn out.

susan
(Susan Meier 7:19am April 21, 2010)

Interestingly, with the overseas flights cancelled over the weekend Dulles airport was really hopping!

I was two hours early for my flight so I got some great people watching in.

But my husband also believes I have good feelings for the airport because the only times I go to the airport are when I'm off to conferences or vacations. Both of which are tons of fun!

susan
(Susan Meier 7:22am April 21, 2010)

I enjoy books where I can become one (or more) af the characters and live their life as I read. People watching at airports is fun and reeally helps to pass the time - especially when we have to get there so early anymore!
(Karin Tillotson 8:10am April 21, 2010)

I love celebrating milestones,
be they my kids or mine. Our
30th anniversary is still 16
months away and I've already
started making plans. It's the
only occasion that is in the
summer and I'm determined to
have all our friends and
family(of which there are
bunches). Just wanted to say
how many of your books I've
read and loved. A romance with
kids in just adds a touch more
love and humor to the
storyline. Thanks for
entertaining me over the years
and I look forward to the
"Maids" duo.
(Lisa Richards 8:24am April 21, 2010)

Susan, you are an inspiration to all of us. I don't know how you do it!
(Debra Mullins 11:18am April 21, 2010)

I love books that have characters that I can relate to, characters that have real emotions and struggles. Your books sound like they have that and more. Thanks for your insight.
(Robin McKay 1:35pm April 21, 2010)

Karin

I think that's the fun of reading! Getting into the lives of the characters.

I think that's why historicals are so popular! Lots of us would have loved to have lived way back then!

susan
(Susan Meier 2:18pm April 21, 2010)

Lisa, I've been doing the same thing with my upcoming milestone anniversary! It's a year or two away and I'm planning! LOL

I'm so thrilled that you've read and loved some of my books. Thank you for saying that!

Kids and babies do make them funnier and more heartwarming for me.

susan
(Susan Meier 3:04pm April 21, 2010)

Sara! I laughed! Are you an April baby too?

My b-day did become a holiday of a sort. It's earth day!

Maybe I can be mother nature?

susan
(Susan Meier 3:05pm April 21, 2010)

Deb, I know your days are pretty busy too since you have a full-time job and also write!

You're an inspiration to me!

susan
(Susan Meier 3:05pm April 21, 2010)

Robin, Liz and Ellie are two of the most "real" characters I've ever created. That was why I had to dig really deep to come up with heroes who deserved them!

I also like to read about that kind of character.

susan
(Susan Meier 3:07pm April 21, 2010)

I should mention that I'm having trouble with verizon's internet today! That's why my answrs are so scattered.

sorry about that!
(Susan Meier 3:07pm April 21, 2010)

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