Sue Thornton – Interview
By Christine Poe
I feel fortunate to interview Wings’ talented author, Sue Thornton. Getting to know Sue and what makes her tick is of interest to all her readers. Her December release, Baltimore Beauty, is an exciting ghost story that keeps the pages turning.
Say hello to Sue Thornton…
1. Sue, Baltimore Beauty is a ghost story with a twist. How did the idea come about?
The dream of a woman crossing the bridge was actually the dream that started the book. I believe the woman on the bridge was my mother, who had died three years earlier. I was three-fourths of the way through the book when my characters put a halt to it and made me start all over. I work in Juvenile Court and abuse cases are a good share of the activity we see. I think writing about child abuse is my way of working through the daily frustration.
2. You have such an interesting title and cover. How did you choose your title and why?
I am a quilter and was in the process of making a Baltimore Album quilt. My heroine is making a Baltimore quilt in the book and doesn't really understand why she is making it until the end of the book.
3. Can you tell us a little about the famous Baltimore Album quilts?
Baltimore Album quilts were exquisite quilts made mostly between 1840-1850. They were hand appliquéd using flowers and a variety of other symbols (i.e. ships, harps, flags, peacocks, etc) that meant something to the women who created these glorious quilts. The splendid needlework done by these women were masterpieces and very few have survived that time period. If you would like more information on Baltimore Album quilts, Elly Sienkiewicz is an authority on the subject and has several books regarding the quilts.
3. Your story deals with psychic powers. Do you have psychic powers?
I live with four ghosts who have made their presence known to me. I won't exactly claim to have psychic powers, but have been known to have strange incidences happen to me, like night terrors - where you think you are awake, but are frozen, unable to speak or move, yet you are aware of everything that is going on around you. People who have passed on from this life - family members I loved very much, visit me in my dreams.
4. How did you research such a controversial subject as psychic powers?
I have always been interested in the paranormal, and have read everything I can get my hands on. I've taken a class on psychics by Mary O'Gara through KOD Murder One.
5. Do you outline your books and stick to that outline? Or do you write from the heart and allow the characters to choose the plot?
I tried once to outline my book and the characters basically laughed me off the paper. Let's just say outlining was a total disaster for me. When I write I tend to find myself inside my characters' heads and let them take the lead. Sometimes this gets me into trouble because I end up head hopping as if it were normal. But I don't think I would end up with the same book if I outlined and stuck to it. It would even be entirely possible that nothing would be written. My characters evolve just as regular people do. They learn by experience.
6. If Baltimore Beauty were ever made into a film, what famous people do you see as your main characters?
<LOL> I always pick out my hero from movie stars, but of course, the heroine is always me. Logan Mendoza is definitely A. Martinez. I would have to think about Kiri, I'm not really sure who could fill my shoes! <ROFL>
7. I love a good mystery. How do you keep your readers in suspense and not give away the story's premise?
I have to give credit to my characters for this. I write what they tell me, when they tell me. I have awakened in the middle of the night listening to those voices working through the next twist. Hopefully, if I'm paying attention, I'll remember in the morning. And most often, I am the one surprised with the ending.
8. Is Baltimore Beauty your first book? Do you have more books in the works?
Actually, Baltimore Beauty is the second book in a series. The Dark Room was released by a different publishing company in January 2001. I re-signed The Dark Room with Wings-Press, Inc., and it will be coming out in February 2002. The third book, Serendipitous Rose is in the evaluation process, and I am currently working on book four, Whispers in the Rain.
9. What experience in your life has most affected your writing?
Learning to live by myself again after many years of marriage and my children being gone from the nest, not to mention the middle age years coming my way. And the death of my mother. I have found myself being pulled toward a spiritual-ness I can't quite explain, but this may also be a part of the psychic experience for me. And as I mentioned earlier, working in Juvenile Court has been difficult for me, watching our troubled youth come in to court because of their own poor choices, or because their parents made the wrong choices through abuse or neglect. Unfortunately, I've first hand experience in my own family of the devastation caused by someone who didn't stop to think about the damage being caused to an innocent child. Writing has become a salve to the guilt I carry because I was not able to prevent this from happening. I heard somewhere that writing is your own personal psychiatrist and it doesn't cost any more than a pen and some paper.
10. How do you feel about electronic publishing in general? What are the pros and cons to selling an eBook?
I believe someday ePublishing may be the only way to publish a book. Eventually there will not be enough trees to provide the paper needed to print our books. As technology improves, hopefully, eReaders will come down in price so more people can afford to purchase them.
As a new author, I was lucky to become contracted. The major paper publishing companies are extremely difficult to get into in this day and age, and I believe the ePublishers are opening the door to fresh voices waiting to be heard.
I would like to say to anyone who wants to become published, in either paperback or electronic, do the research on the publishing companies and make sure they are legitimate and trustworthy before you sign anything. You have worked long and hard on your masterpiece and there is nothing more disheartening to a new author than to be “taken for a ride” at his or her own expense.
11. Last but not least, when can we expect the release of your next book?
The Dark Room, a psychological thriller is scheduled for release in February 2002.
Thank you, Sue for taking the time to tell us a little about yourself and your writing. I look forward to reading Baltimore Beauty.
Christine