Good morning, all.
Today's Bookmarked Q&A is a special one, because it involves a first-time author.
Sharon Suskin is a very talented writer who brought her manuscript to us not long ago, although she has shared that she's been working on The Blue-Eyed Butterfly for many years.
In this deeply rich novel, three women, Callie, Lillian, and Lydia, face an adversary that will change their lives forever. He resides in the only home that Callie has ever known, ensnaring her into his vicious web of dominance and cruelty. His insatiable thirst for exacting fear soon traps Lillian and Lydia in his household, too. In due course, his own demise takes him down the road of no return.
To learn more about this inspiring story about the resilience and strength of women, you can pre-order Sharon's novel here.
Before I share the following Q&A with Sharon, I also want to note that Sharon will be featured on Bookmarked's podcast episode this Friday, so tune in to that for a more in-depth interview and conversation. Sharon speaks about the inspiration behind her novel, what writing the novel has meant to her, and more.
But until then, please enjoy the following Q&A!
BOOKMARKED: At what point in your life did you realize you wanted to write a book? Did you have any previous writing experience?
SHARON SUSKIN: I was in my mid-fifties when I realized I wanted to write a book. The only previous experience I had was writing unpublished poems, and one unpublished children’s story.
How long was The Blue-Eyed Butterfly in the works for you, and what can people expect from this novel?
I started The Blue-Eyed Butterfly two decades ago and then put it aside. Sometimes, life just gets in the way. During the Covid-19 pandemic, I decided to pick up that manuscript again. I reread it and put it in the trashcan! Starting over again, I put my heart into it, and took the time to place myself into their world. I stood in the corner of the room and watched them and felt their pain. I laughed with them when they laughed, and I cried with them when they cried. Readers can expect to be outraged, angry, and sad, but I hope they will see the strength and resilience to survive.
Who are some of your favorite authors to read? Favorite novels?
I love Kristin Hannah's The Four Winds, Delia Owens' Where the Crawdads Sing, and Alexandre Dumas' The Count of Monte Cristo.
What advice would you give to aspiring writers who aren't sure how to get started?
Just start writing anything! Sit in a room, look around, and describe everything in that room in detail. Let your imagination run free.
What do you hope readers take away from reading The Blue-Eyed Butterfly?
How far women have come! In the 1900s, women had no place to go to remove themselves from a domestic abuse situation. There was no birth control, and it was not uncommon for a woman to have 8 to 12 children. There were no domestic abuse centers to run to. No call center to call. It was impossible to leave an abuser.
Is there anything you'd like to say to the supporters in your life?
My hero, my husband, was my most ardent supporter. A fierce encourager.
At the end of each day, I would read to him. With endearment, he would take my hand and tell me that he couldn’t wait to hear what I was going to write next. It took me three years to finish the book. In February 2023, I read the last chapter to him, and he said, "Now, we have to get it published."
During July that same year, after a short illness, he was gone. But he left me with so much. I have a grateful heart that he heard the ending. Our lives were filled with 30 years of love stories. Maybe my next book will be a story about us.
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Thank you again to Sharon for a wonderful Q&A and for sharing The Blue-Eyed Butterfly with the world!
As I mentioned previously, you can go ahead and pre-order Sharon's novel now, and it will be released very soon. But until then, be sure to listen to Friday's podcast episode, and check back with us for any updates on Sharon's novel.
I hope everyone has a fantastic week full of laughter and love. Thanks for reading!
Allison Chudina
Editorial Assistant
Jan-Carol Publishing, Inc.
Bookmarked
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