Member Spotlight: Susen Edwards

Why is writing important to you and why do you think it’s an important medium for the world? I have many stories in my soul that beg to be told. Will I have the opportunity to write them all? Time will tell. In the meantime, writing is a creative path that calms and fulfills me. My passion is historical fiction. I think about a quote attributed to Winston Churchill: “History is written by victors.” Without our stories, our truths will be lost and Churchill’s prophesy will be fulfilled.

What are your tried and tested remedies to cure writer’s block? I do my best to keep to a set routine. I engage in cardio exercise first thing in the morning to get my blood flowing. Next, I do some yoga to help me focus. A quick shower, a cup of green tea, something yummy to snack on, and I’m ready to write. My advice is not to follow what I do but to find a routine that works. It’s also important to accept that some days will be spectacular, and some days will be spectacular flops. Go with the flow and enjoy the journey!

What is your favorite time to write? I like to write mid-morning to mid-afternoon. I’m awake and I’ve had time to think about what my goals are for the day.

What’s the best piece of writing advice you’ve ever received and would like to impart to other writers? I’ve heard it said that we are all born into someone else’s story. Conversely, others are born into our story. This means we all have stories to tell. As a new writer, begin with one of these stories. Remember, the story you write is not the story someone else will read. Each reader takes what you’ve written and translates it into their life experience.

What excites you most about being a writer in today’s age? Besides our local independent and chain bookstores, readers have many avenues to purchase books. Soft and hard-cover books, ebooks, and audiobooks are available. Writers are not limited by traditional publishing. Self-publishing, hybrid, and indie publishing options are available. Writers can market themselves on social media, through websites, journals, local and online venues, and so much more. I can’t think of a better time to write and be a writer.

Susen Edwards’s What a Trip is out now with She Writes Press.