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.
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...
I haven’t a scooby! I actually own Chemistry for Dummies. I chucked it around page 11!
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.
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...
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!)
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...
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...
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.
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.
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...
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!
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...
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.
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!
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
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