Today I will be interviewing Susan Buchanan, author of 3 delightfully entertaining, contemporary fiction novels and owner of 'Perfect Prose Services', a proofreading, editing and translation business.
I bumped in to Susan while she snoozed on a park bench, dribbling and drooling in the warm sun, in the heart of Scotland.
After mopping her up and waiting for her to come round from her slumber, we began the interview.
I bumped in to Susan while she snoozed on a park bench, dribbling and drooling in the warm sun, in the heart of Scotland.
After mopping her up and waiting for her to come round from her slumber, we began the interview.
Hello Susan, thank you for joining me today.
Thanks Tara, lovely to be here – again – you’re always very kind in hosting me.
As you may already know, I like to start off the interviews with a really easy question...
Thanks Tara, lovely to be here – again – you’re always very kind in hosting me.
As you may already know, I like to start off the interviews with a really easy question...
1. Could you tell us what the quark combination is, in a proton?
I haven’t a scooby! I actually own Chemistry for Dummies. I chucked it around page 11!
I haven’t a scooby! I actually own Chemistry for Dummies. I chucked it around page 11!
Hmm... maybe you should have read it further Sooz, after all you do run your own proofreading business and how on earth could you offer proofreading services for a chemistry book? And please don't ever go in to a chemistry laboratory and really mess things up - page 11 just doesn't do it!
Moving on swiftly to question 2.
2. You have three novels under your belt. Could you tell us what you’re working on now?
I’m working on a follow-up to The Christmas Spirit (although it’s a stand-alone novel). I had hoped it would be ready around November, but the timescale is now looking a little tight!
I look forward to it Sooz. Here are your current novels in their full glory.
2. You have three novels under your belt. Could you tell us what you’re working on now?
I’m working on a follow-up to The Christmas Spirit (although it’s a stand-alone novel). I had hoped it would be ready around November, but the timescale is now looking a little tight!
I look forward to it Sooz. Here are your current novels in their full glory.
3. Do you find it difficult to write when you have a young child to care for and a business to run?
Short answer, yes, hence the answer to the question above! Basically the priorities go: baby girl, business, writing, and occasionally I might even deign to chat with my Other Half! He’s used to it.
Oh dear, well I do hope your poor other half isn't neglected too much. You can usually tell if they pull a face like this...
Short answer, yes, hence the answer to the question above! Basically the priorities go: baby girl, business, writing, and occasionally I might even deign to chat with my Other Half! He’s used to it.
Oh dear, well I do hope your poor other half isn't neglected too much. You can usually tell if they pull a face like this...
Unless my darling daughter gets me up at 4.30 a.m. I choose to get up at 5.30 a.m and work, sometimes on my writing, sometimes on Perfect Prose business. I am a very good morning person (to a sickening extent). I also only work part-time, in theory, and I have set days for doing that, but I do tend to work a little, pretty much every morning as well. I’ll get the right balance at some point!
Hmm, I guess you do have to get the work/life balance right otherwise you may find your other half will get droopy-lip syndrome.
4. Could you tell us a little bit about your business?
Sure. Perfect Prose Services is a proofreading, editing and translation company. As well as being an author myself, I speak five languages, so it made sense to combine all of those skills. So far, I've proofread and edited memoirs, paranormal, fantasy, contemporary fiction, non-fiction, political thrillers, YA, and even a children’s book which had been translated from Slovenian! Plus some short stories and blog posts and pieces for copywriters and competition entrants. I find it all very fascinating. I am getting paid to read! OK, and correct! (my second love!)
Sure. Perfect Prose Services is a proofreading, editing and translation company. As well as being an author myself, I speak five languages, so it made sense to combine all of those skills. So far, I've proofread and edited memoirs, paranormal, fantasy, contemporary fiction, non-fiction, political thrillers, YA, and even a children’s book which had been translated from Slovenian! Plus some short stories and blog posts and pieces for copywriters and competition entrants. I find it all very fascinating. I am getting paid to read! OK, and correct! (my second love!)
5. How do you like to relax (when you get the opportunity)?
Yeah, my baby is 16-months-old. Relax? You’re having a laugh!! I play with Playmobil people, Happyland buildings, read about ten children’s books per day and on the rare occasion when I am completely alone and not working, or when I am in bed, I read.
Well Sooz, here's a handy little guide to help you on your way and at 16 months old, I hope by now that you have managed to get everything right so far. Below this is a short video clip just to reassure you that you're not on your own...
Yeah, my baby is 16-months-old. Relax? You’re having a laugh!! I play with Playmobil people, Happyland buildings, read about ten children’s books per day and on the rare occasion when I am completely alone and not working, or when I am in bed, I read.
Well Sooz, here's a handy little guide to help you on your way and at 16 months old, I hope by now that you have managed to get everything right so far. Below this is a short video clip just to reassure you that you're not on your own...
6. Do you have any pet-peeves and if so, what are they?
How long have you got?!
I hate people parking in parent/child spaces in supermarkets when they clearly have no child.
Hmm, glad that you said 'parent/child space' as one man is very disgruntled by the sexist 'Mother and Child' signs at his local supermarket. And as for the Police...
How long have you got?!
I hate people parking in parent/child spaces in supermarkets when they clearly have no child.
Hmm, glad that you said 'parent/child space' as one man is very disgruntled by the sexist 'Mother and Child' signs at his local supermarket. And as for the Police...
Is there anything else that annoys you?
Rudeness – covers so many things
People who scream at their children particularly in supermarkets (can you see a recurring theme here?!)
Bad customer service.
PPI calls – in fact any unsolicited calls to my home or mobile.
Rudeness – covers so many things
People who scream at their children particularly in supermarkets (can you see a recurring theme here?!)
Bad customer service.
PPI calls – in fact any unsolicited calls to my home or mobile.
Tardiness – although being a mum now, I am having to relax that a bit, as as anyone with kids will know, it’s virtually impossible to be anywhere on time. You’re either late or half an hour early (I sway between both!)
Oh the joys of motherhood Sooz. Well I am pleased to hear that there's not too much that annoys you... oh, there's more I hear you say!
Being kept waiting way past my appointment time at the dentist, doctor, etc. It makes me want to bill them for my time! Reality TV shows.
I should stop now!!!
Well I'm so relieved that I wasn't late for this interview today Sooz... although you may not have noticed - snoozing on that bench.
Oh the joys of motherhood Sooz. Well I am pleased to hear that there's not too much that annoys you... oh, there's more I hear you say!
Being kept waiting way past my appointment time at the dentist, doctor, etc. It makes me want to bill them for my time! Reality TV shows.
I should stop now!!!
Well I'm so relieved that I wasn't late for this interview today Sooz... although you may not have noticed - snoozing on that bench.
7. Describe yourself in eight words.
Determined, loyal, loving, tenacious, friendly, happy, enthusiastic, bubbly
Hmm... a bit like an adorable puppy with a new bone then? Funnily enough, this one is asleep too...
Determined, loyal, loving, tenacious, friendly, happy, enthusiastic, bubbly
Hmm... a bit like an adorable puppy with a new bone then? Funnily enough, this one is asleep too...
8. You’ve been awarded a day out to one the world’s greatest theme parks. You can invite three guests (past or present), who would they be and why?
Freud – can you imagine what he’d make of it?
Boris Johnson – I think he is the kind of adult who wouldn’t mind making a complete fool of himself over a few rollercoasters and he’s funny too
Rupert Penry-Jones – to be honest, he could take me to feed the ducks and I’d be happy!
Boris Johnson – I think he is the kind of adult who wouldn’t mind making a complete fool of himself over a few rollercoasters and he’s funny too
Rupert Penry-Jones – to be honest, he could take me to feed the ducks and I’d be happy!
Hmm... do I detect love blossoming amongst the pond weed Sooz?
9. Do you have any funny ‘girl’s night-out’ stories you could tell us?
Some of them I may have adapted for stories in my novels, although this particular instance I think I toned down a lot. My friend and I were at a nightclub near my house about 15 years ago and she jumped up to do some outrageous dance manoeuvre and split her trousers in half, from the stomach to her tailbone! Unfortunately for her she was wearing a thong. Another friend and I had to walk one in front, one behind her, to the cloakroom to get her jacket which she then wrapped around her waist and bum! It didn’t end there. Our other friend, who, as it turned out, was pals with the bouncers, arranged, for a laugh, for them to pretend they’d had a tip-off she was dodgy and said they would have to search her. She almost died of fright. I intervened, in the end, and she didn’t get searched! A narrow escape.
Some words of wisdom for your poor friend...
Some of them I may have adapted for stories in my novels, although this particular instance I think I toned down a lot. My friend and I were at a nightclub near my house about 15 years ago and she jumped up to do some outrageous dance manoeuvre and split her trousers in half, from the stomach to her tailbone! Unfortunately for her she was wearing a thong. Another friend and I had to walk one in front, one behind her, to the cloakroom to get her jacket which she then wrapped around her waist and bum! It didn’t end there. Our other friend, who, as it turned out, was pals with the bouncers, arranged, for a laugh, for them to pretend they’d had a tip-off she was dodgy and said they would have to search her. She almost died of fright. I intervened, in the end, and she didn’t get searched! A narrow escape.
Some words of wisdom for your poor friend...
10. What are you reading now and what do you plan to read next?
I’m reading Scarlett Bailey’s Two Weddings and a Baby and I’m really enjoying it. Next up is a novel by fellow indie author Marcia Carrington, although I haven’t decided which one yet, as there are a few I like the look of.
I’m reading Scarlett Bailey’s Two Weddings and a Baby and I’m really enjoying it. Next up is a novel by fellow indie author Marcia Carrington, although I haven’t decided which one yet, as there are a few I like the look of.
11. What are your dreams for the future?
To be happy, spend quality time with my family, write more books and have a successful business.
To be happy, spend quality time with my family, write more books and have a successful business.
12. Do bald people get dandruff?
Don’t know, but I’ve got a friend I can ask. Although I do wonder, do bald babies get cradle cap? I’m thinking yes, so yes to baldies getting dandruff!
Correct answer Sooz - well done!
Everyone can get dandruff. Men, women and even bald people get dandruff as well. People with hair do have more dandruff than the ones without hair simply because dandruff can get tangled with the hair but the dandruff on bald people can easily be shaken off so they don’t get collected and stacked in the head. Dandruff is a scalp condition and not a condition caused by hair. DANDRUFFHUB.com
Everyone can get dandruff. Men, women and even bald people get dandruff as well. People with hair do have more dandruff than the ones without hair simply because dandruff can get tangled with the hair but the dandruff on bald people can easily be shaken off so they don’t get collected and stacked in the head. Dandruff is a scalp condition and not a condition caused by hair. DANDRUFFHUB.com
Well that’s it. Thank you so much for taking the time to join me in this interview today. I wish you every success for the future Susan.
Now you can go back to sleep...
Now you can go back to sleep...
You can find out more about Susan Buchanan either here on the Author Showcase or at the links below:
Blog
Perfect Prose Services