We recently connected with Suzanne Redfearn and have shared our conversation below.
Suzanne, thank you so much for joining us. You are such a positive person and it’s something we really admire and so we wanted to start by asking you where you think your optimism comes from?
Youth. Since the pandemic, I’ve found it hard sometimes to reconcile all the bad things that seem to be happening in the world and how quickly. So much of it feels so apocalyptic. But then, I will have a conversation with my daughter or son, or I will see a group of kids playing, and I am reminded of how much hope and promise exists. The new generation sees the world in an entirely different light, one that is open-minded and full of endless possibility. They are brilliant and creative and working toward positive change. It inspires me to be a part of it, to put one foot in front of the other and believe in our collective humanity to solve things, and it reminds me that, no matter how dire things may appear on any given day, good will find a way to prevail.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I am the international bestselling author of six novels. My books have been translated into twenty-four languages and have been recognized by RT Reviews, Target Recommends, Goodreads, Publisher’s Marketplace, and Kirkus Reviews. My #1 Amazon bestseller IN AN INSTANT was awarded the Best New Fiction Award from Best Book Awards and was a Goodreads Choice Awards Finalist. I live in Laguna Beach, California with my family, where my husband and I own two restaurants: Lumberyard and Slice Pizza & Beer. This February, I have a new novel coming out, WHERE BUTTERFLIES WANDER, and next October, my first thriller, TWO GOOD MEN, will be released under the name, S.E. Redfearn.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Audacious optimism – Believing I could do what I set out to do regardless of what anyone said or the odds against it happening.
Hard work – To be a successful author you need to do the work. You need to write and write and write.
Accepting feedback – Listening to what those who are trying to help me were saying and using it to make my work better.
My advice to others is to not get discouraged. If you believe you’ve got what it takes, chase the dream. Put words on a page every day, and when you finish one story, move on to the next. You never know what is going to be the right story at the right time. The more you have in your arsenal, the more chance you have of getting published.
Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?
I am currently working on a story that is “meh.” I am hoping I can make it better, but at the moment, it’s simply not great. It’s difficult to keep going knowing it might not turn into anything. But I’ve been at this long enough to know that: first, I need to finish it in order to move on to the next thing, and second, “meh” projects sometimes turn out okay. So each day, I do the work. I sit at my computer and continue to tell the tale, keeping the faith that I will work it out, while also allowing myself grace if I don’t. I have half a dozen stories filed away in my computer that never came to life, which is okay. It’s all part of the process.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.suzanneredfearnauthor.com
- Instagram: suzanneredfearnauthor
- Facebook: SuzanneRedfearnAuthor
Image Credits
April Brian
