Have you ever wondered what it would be like to have more than one book published? Have you ever wondered how it would feel to have that published book in your hands or to work with several writers at once? Have you ever thought, "What went through that author's mind during and after the book's completion?" Now you can find out...

When did you begin your writing career?

I've loved to write since I was a young teenager. After college, I started to freelance for magazines and became a contributing editor for Christian Parenting Today magazine. When I got married and began a family of my own, I continued to freelance, even through several moves around the United States.

In 1996, my husband's job transferred us to Hong Kong for four years, just as the Internet was developing, and I wrote from a 44-story high rise, sending articles 7,000 miles away, with just the click of a key.

At that point, I had developed good research skills and loved interviewing people for articles but assumed that I could never, ever, ever be a fiction writer. I thought you were either one or the other.

Fast forward a few years...

After returning from Hong Kong, I decided to take a leap into fiction writing. My niece had sent me a book called "If You Want to Write" by Brenda Ueland (published in 1938) and in there was an awesome quote that motivated me. It read, "Everyone is original, talented, and has something important to say." With that I realized that the only one stopping me from trying to write a novel was me.

For four and a half months, I typed away on an ancient computer in the laundry room. I didn't even tell my husband what I was up to. When it was completed, I told the family I had written a book.

"That's why there's no food in this house!" replied my slightly insensitive sons.

That novel, "Copper Star", was published by a small publisher and received three literary awards! Since then, its sequel, "Copper Fire", released in late May with "Grit for the Oyster: 250 Words of Wisdom for Aspiring Writers" having been released this year. "For the Love of Dogs" will release in February and then I have four books contracted with Revell/Baker!

Why did you decide to write Grit For The Oyster?

As I was writing the novel, I kept wishing there was a book that could help me through the real guts of writing. There were plenty of how-tos but none that really helped me understand how slow or frustrating or discouraging it could be to be a writer.

I had the idea for "Grit For The Oyster" and had even queried a few publishers but didn't have any luck at acceptances. Then I attended a writers' conference and was "accidentally" paired with a terrific writer by the name of Deb Coty. We hit it off famously. Then I met another wonderful writer, Faith Tibbetts McDonald and a light bulb went off. I started thinking that it might be an interesting concept to add more voices to Grit For The Oyster" so I asked them, via e-mail, along with Joanna Bloss, to become contributors/co-authors of the book and voila, the team was in place! Then we decided to query established authors for their best advice which added an additional 200 tips.

What did it feel like to receive your "official" copy of the book?

It's wonderful! Amazing to think that an idea can start in one's mind and eventually result in a book!

If you could choose just one thing for your book to accomplish, what would it be?

I hope that writers will feel encouraged and inspired by Grit For The Oyster"-to "hangeth thou in there."

What was the hardest part of writing this book?

The best part of Grit For The Oyster" is having four voices. It was fun to edit each others' work and brainstorm ideas.

The hardest part had to be following up on everyone for permission to use their quotes in the book. It was not only time consuming, but there were a lot of details to work out. But I am so glad we did it.

No matter how successful a writer is, there is always something that she struggles with. What was your biggest struggle as a writer and how did you overcome it?

It's always a battle to feel confident as a writer. It's not a field that is looking for you, or trying to make you feel good about yourself. You need a pretty tough skin to survive this industry! I know I am writing because I believe that is what God wants me to do but I never have felt as if I've arrived. Never! And I hope that each book will be better than the last one.

For some writers, articles are easy but books are hard. What one tip would you offer an article writer, looking to write his/her first book?

Your non-fiction skills will translate well into a book, and your fiction skills will help jazz up your non-fiction writing.

Visit Suzanne online at http://gritfortheoyster-book.blogspot.com/, read my review of her book at http://thedabblingmum.blogspot.com/2008/11/grit-for-oyster.html, and check out her "other" interview at http://hubpages.com/hub/Whats-It-Like-To-Get-Published