Susan Hatler





	(Frequently Asked Questions) Q: How did you get into writing? A: I’d have to say by reading. After reading many books, stories began popping in my head, so I started writing them down. Believe me, the majority of my friends in high school were fictional. I loved them anyway. Q: How did you choose to write Chick Lit? A: Again, I’m gonna have to say by reading it. I just love the very true-to-life dialogue, the real problems, and the heroine’s journeys. The snappy “voice” of chick lit really helps me get into the book and makes it feel like I’m reading about a friend. Q: Isn’t Chick Lit gum? A: If I had a book contract for every time I’ve been asked that, I’d never leave the keyboard (not that I’m away much as it is). The gum is “Chiclet”. Bright little candy-coated gum. “Chick Lit” is Chick Literature. It’s a genre of fiction where the main character is a “chick” (read: female) and there is normally a love interest involved (ooh baby!). In Chick Lit novels, the heroine’s usually in her 20s or 30s. Think: Bridget Jones’s Diary or Sex and the City. In Teen Chick Lit, the heroine’s a teen. Like: Reality Chick or Gossip Girl. Q: What are the top three reasons you love to write? A: Oh! That’s a hard one. Let’s see...variety, emotion, and because I have to. There, that wasn’t so hard after all. Variety: The variety part is huge. I get very into things, immerse myself in them, then I get bored and want to move on (although that hasn’t happened with sushi yet). With writing, everything changes all the time. It’s whatever I feel like writing at the moment (yes, I do story hop from time to time but my writing friends pull me back to focus). It’s impossible to get bored when there’s always something new, and sky’s the limit on story ideas! Emotion: Yes, I tend to be very emotional. I cry during movies (even previews--ever seen the one where the chopper leaves the Alaskan Huskies behind? Total tear jerker--no way I can actually watch the entire film). I laugh aloud in the theatre, and okay...I’ll admit, occasionally I snort. Well, writing creates emotion. I go through what the characters go through. I get to really feel their adventures. Same goes with reading too. I have to: When I’m not writing, something is missing. It’s like that feeling you get when you’re in school and there’s always studying to do? You can’t get rid of the nagging? It never ends? Well, that’s sorta my predicament. It feels wrong when I’m not writing and it’s a release when I am. Also, those pesky characters won’t shut up till I’ve typed what they want to say and do. Q: What’s your favorite piece you’ve ever written? A: That’s like trying to choose one best friend over another. One may keep you up late at night gabbing but then you’ve been up all night with her bonding. Another may not listen and takes you places you don’t want to go, but then you’ve had a blast doing something you wouldn’t normally do. Translation: I can’t pick just one. Who asked me that question anyway? Q: What’s your family history? A: I grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area as Susan Rego. As in RAY-go. You wouldn’t believe how many REE-gos I got growing up. Sheesh. Then I took my hubby’s last name when I got married. I know, who would’ve known I’d be so traditional? (But he’s really cute!) Q: What are your favorite books? A: Mine! Oh, you mean by other authors? Hmmm....today I’d have to say Twilight by Stephenie Meyer (don’t be intimidated by the length--it’s sooooo good), Size 12 is Not Fat by Meg Cabot (hilarious), and The Luckiest Girl by Beverly Cleary (I’ve read it a zillion times). Q: What are four movies you’ve watched over and over? A: Phenomenon (such a great look at people & their motivations), A Beautiful Mind (mind boggling and heart wrenching), A Walk to Remember (unexpected twist but I’m such a sap), and Zoolander (never have I quoted so many lines from a movie--orange, mocha frapuccino!!!!). Q: What do you do in your spare time? A: Spare time? You mean what do I squeeze in between writing and reading? I try to spend hours here and there with the family, of course. Travel (pretty often). Ski (only when there’s snow). Scrapbook (okay, I’ve been slacking since the whole digital camera era). Go for walks (not nearly enough). Watch movies. Volunteer work (I even save soda can tabs for the local Ronald McDonald House--those little tabbies sure add up!). Play with the pups. Read authors’ websites. Oh, I guess you do that too! Q: Do your characters really speak to you--like, do you think they’re real? A: Real? Yes. Tangible? Not so much. But, trust me, they are definitely real. I have little control over what they say or do and they completely have their own personalities. They jabber in my head until I put it down on paper and even then they rant on and on. Then, when I finish telling their story? New characters pop into my head. I admit that I’m odd. Now you know. Q: What TV shows do you watch? A: Sex & the City, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Friends. Yes, I know they’ve all been canceled but I own the DVDs so I can watch them whenever I want. Also, I’m trying not to get addicted to new shows otherwise how will I make that writing time? Q: If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be? A: Anywhere that has internet access (preferably high speed). Just kidding. Sort of. Let’s see...where would I like to go? That’s a toughy. Maybe back to Italy or Greece, Paris maybe, Kauai (always), and well, I’ve always wanted to go to the Bahamas. Anyone been there? Should I go? Oh! I’ve always wanted to see the Northern Lights. I hear that’s very cool. I want to go where I can see them. Definitely. Q: How do you manage to find time to write? A: Mostly by frantically trying to make time. Occasionally, organized writing weeks flow by . . . ahhhh, how I wish there were more of those. ### Return to Susan page

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