Sarah Raplee interviewed today's guest, multi-talented romance author Susan Lute.
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| SUSAN LUTE |
What sets a Post-Apocalyptic
Romance apart from other Sci-Fi Romances?
A
post-apocalyptic romance is set in a very specific time period after the
destruction of the world as we know it today. They can be any sub-genre –
pararnormal, steampunk, fantasy, futuristic, action drama, dystopian like The Hunger Games. My debut PA Romance, Dragon's Thief is a paranormal-fantasy,
with a dash of steampunk.
What led you to write a
Post-Apocalyptic Romance Novel?
It's a
cautionary tale really, one some of you may have already heard. Frustrated by
the shrinking markets for manuscripts and wondering how a writer was supposed
to know in which genre their voice fit best, I decided to do an experiment. I
took my favorite hero – a reformed mercenary; my favorite heroine – a thief;
and my favorite setting – a bar, a little worn around the edges. The challenge
was to take these three elements and write the meet cute in four or five
different genres – not contemporary because I was writing contemporary romance
and women's fiction at the time and figured I had a sample of what my voice
looked like in those genres - but historical, young adult, paranormal, and cozy
mystery to see where my voice shined the most. Because I never envisioned in my
wildest dreams I could write paranormal, that's the one I started with. And I
wrote. And I wrote. And I kept writing until I wrote, The End. The proposal for Dragon's
Thief is now sitting on an editor's desk waiting to be read.
Which came to you first, your
plot or your characters?
The
characters. The plot came while writing that first scene.
Why do you think this romance
sub-genre is gaining in popularity at this time?
Well
it's 2012, and there are a lot of predictions pertaining to the Mayan calendar
at the end of this year. I think people are curious. What's next for human
kind? It's nice that some of us have stories to tell about it.
What did you find most
difficult about writing this book?
Absolutely
nothing. This book just flew out of my fingertips. It was a joy to write all
the way through.
What did you find most fun?
Writing
the first scene where Logan and Beyla meet. Then the tournament which takes up
the second half of the book. And the end. I also LOVED writing the fighting
scenes. And especially I LOVED writing Logan and Beyla's romance.
In your opinion, who is the
audience for these stories?
That's
the magic question, isn't it? The most likely audience for PA Romances, and
especially for Dragon's Thief,
is going to be anyone who's interested in reading stories about finding
family in the most unlikely places. Readers who love characters with the
courage to find themselves and fight for what they discover in the most
challenging environments. And readers who want to believe humanity will
survive, no matter what trials we go through.
Do you have books out in other
sub-genres of romance?
I do.
Contemporary Romance, and Women's Fiction.
In fact
I have a new release coming out in October, The Broken Road. Here’s the blurb:
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| "Susan Lute is a beautiful keeper of the human heart..." |
Dr.
Dana Murphy has everything a physician can want. Everything except the one
thing she can’t get back. When she’s diagnosed with a degenerative condition
that threatens the career she loves, and her husband discovers he has a teenage
daughter, the comfortable life she’s built begins to unravel. When her crazy
mother and sister come to stay, in the chaos that follows, Dana scrambles to
scotch tape it all back together, and instead finds herself on the brink of
losing everything she holds dear.
Thank
you so much for having me. This has been a lot of fun. ~Susan Lute
7 comments:
Thank you for the interesting interview, Su!
I noticed your hero's name is Logan. Was that a salute to the old P-A novel, LOGAN'S RUN?
I love how you decided to find another niche! Thank you for sharing with our readers.
How creative to take your favorite hero, favorite heronine and favorite setting and start writing in different sub genres. Have you tried any of the other genres you mentioned?
When a story flows from our finger tips, that is just the very best feeling!
I love Susan's Women's Fiction, but I am really excited for Dragon Thief. The one thing you can always count on with a Susan Lute book is that it will have lots of heart. Great Interview Sarah!
I agree with you about Susan's writing, Maggie. It's lyrical and beautiful and moves my heart.
I'm sorry not to have gotten back sooner ladies. I had the kidlets this weekend and they kept me distracted :)
Sarah, I wish I could say yes! to your question about a salute to LOGAN'S RUN, but alas, no. I thought the name was strong enough to carry the story of a uber-hero born to fight for the survival of not only drangonkind, but the shadows and the remnants of humans as well.
Judith, no I didn't try the other genres. Fell too much in love with my dragons and their mates. There are four books that will follow Dragon's Thief. The next one, Keeper Of The Dragon is started :)
Maggie, all I can say is, thanks! You're awesome. The next Dragonkind book is dedicated to you :)
I'm here to brag that I got to read Dragon's Thief, and I can tell you, it rocks! Susan write with heart... and with ass kicking ;)
I have also read Dragon's Thief. Loved it. Can hardly wait for it to be released.
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