Susan P. Cooper provides a great example of the new paths to publication emerging for authors. She left the corporate world and started a blog where she posts illustrated life stories, deceptively simple recipes, and enlightened her readers with wine reviews. Susan is developing a business site as well. We met about a year and a half ago via LinkedIn, and it’s safe to say she’s tops in my blog commenters as well as a friend. I also work as her copy editor, and she’s been doing career coaching sessions with me. It’s safe to say Susan is up there on my list of admirable people.
1. Please provide a brief synopsis of your book.
Lessons From An Ordinary Life – Volume 1 is a collection of 10 of my short stories about events from my childhood accompanied by my illustrations. I call it my little miracle.
Finding our way through life involves an equal share of joy and woe. The stories we often tell each other throughout the journey help us make sense of it all. The childhood memories collected in my book act as self-discovery guideposts for the reader and myself alike. The deceptively simple lessons shed light on the power stories have to shape and connect us. This collection and the accompanying artwork are a must for those who seek comfort in wondering about life’s seemingly random treasure box of experiences.
2. Tell us a little bit about what motivates or inspires your writing.
I’ve been asked on more occasions than I can count, why in the world would I choose to write anything, much less produce a book, knowing I’m dyslexic? That is an excellent question. I never set out to become a writer. To cope with my dyslexia, I became an acute observer of all that was going on around me. Though my observations, I was able to grow into an auditory storyteller. It was a skill I honed and used for the sole purpose of helping someone see a circumstance in a different light or to teach a lesson.
As time passed, I was encouraged to write and possibly publish my stories. Over time the suggestion to publish my stories with my illustrations grew more persistent. I knew if I genuinely wanted my voice to be heard I needed to find a way to communicate what I had to share. Be it through what I would write, the drawings I created or my photography. Despite the fact that, it was and is a challenge for me to write well, I knew if I put my mind to it and with the help of all the available tools I have amassed, it could be done.
It still amazes me that I am writing and that I have published a book with more on the way.
3. It’s hard to pick just one, but what do you consider your favorite novel and why?
My favorite books are Dr. Zhivago and Lord of the Rings. I love both stories in different was and for different reasons. For me, they are both full of a richness of language that sucks you in and holds your attention. Being an auditory and visual storyteller, the fact that I could see pictures in my mind of the all the events as the story unfolded was a wonder.
I learned that if I could see what the book was were saying as picture in my mind then maybe I could do the same through my story telling in written form.
4. What is the name of your blog and what can readers expect to find there?
Finding Our Way Now is all about life where I share stories, food and drink. It’s a place to come, kick off your shoes, relax and let the world go for a little while.
5. Are you traditionally published or self-published?
I knew no other way than to self-publish. The fact that I published anything at all is a bit of a miracle to me.
6. Can you offer one or two helpful tips for fellow writers when it comes to marketing and publicity?
Marketing anything takes planning and support. Although I haven’t done as much as I should, what it takes is being out in front to your potential audience both physically and online. Never over look an opportunity to share your story and your book. If you can find a good marketing expert to helps draft and implement a plan. The fact, coming form a marketing ad sales background, I could write a book on this subject.
7. Describe your writing background.
I had to laugh at this question. I have no real background in writing or no formal or informal education of any kind for this. What I did was transfer my auditory skill of storytelling into written form. I am a work in progress and continue to learn a ton as I go.
8. What does your drafting and/or editing process entail?
Being dyslexic I realized that in order to actually put my stories in print I need a quality professional editor (you) to review and edit what I wrote. It was the best decision I could have ever made. I have not, as of yet, joined a writing or critique group. However, I’m currently in the process of identifying potential groups for the future.
9. What future projects can we look forward to?
There are two more stories/essay volumes that are in the works along with a cookbook.
10. Is there anything else you want your potential readers to know?
You just never know where something will take you. Never limit what we can achieve because of our own prejudices about what we can or cannot do. In a way I never expected, I am achieving my dream through my book “Lessons Form An Ordinary Life” now available on Amazon. Lastly, if you have a dream, then go for it. You just never know where it will take you.
You can connect with Susan P. Cooper via her blog. Her books can be purchased from Amazon.
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The images in this post are for promotional purposes only and comply with fair use guidelines.
Article by Jeri Walker-Bickett aka JeriWB
Enjoyed reading this lovely interview with Susan! It is a pleasure to read both of your blogs. I saw the movie Dr. Zhivago a long time ago – maybe I will take the book out of the library. As for Lord of the Rings, that is a favorite with more than one family member. Following through with one’s dreams and showing progress is inspirational.
Thank you for this interview, Jeri.
Hi Leroa, Thanks for your kind words, you’re the best. Dr Zhivago was a game changer for em when I was struggling with reading at younger age. Its’ amazing what one can accomplish when we work a goal. 🙂
As you know I am one of Susan’s biggest supporters and cheer leaders. I had the great pleasure of meeting her in person not long ago. She has a great future with both her writing and her art work. What an inspiration! 🙂
Aw, my dear friend. We did have such a good time, didn’t we. Thanks for always being in my court. I look forward to many new adventures and I too will be there to cheer you on. 🙂
Congratulations on not letting something like dyslexia stop you from writing a book, Susan! You are serving as an inspiration to many people by putting books out there!
Wonderful interview, Jeri.
Thanks so much Lorraine, It amazing what can be accomplish when we just try. 🙂
Great interview. I, too, have been grateful for Susan’s support through LinkedIn and feel as if I know her, even though we haven’t met. That alone, speaks volumes about her writing style in that she has the ability to connect. I purchased and read her book and was thoroughly entertained. I highly recommend the read! Nice job on the editing, too Jeri:)
Hi Jacqueline, Thanks so much. :-). I am just as grateful for having the opportunity to connect with you. I am so happy you enjoyed the book. I count any success this book will have as a direct result of my collaboration with Jeri. She is an amazing editor. 🙂
Jacquie, being able to work as Susan’s editor has been a great way for me to develop my freelance editing services.
Jeri thanks so much for this interview with Susan! I met Susan through another venue, to which neither of us subscribe or participate any longer. Then we got connected through LinkedIn. Susan is an amazing business person. Her life story blog posts are always enlightening and her drawings bring them to life. It’s an honor to know her and a pleasure to read your interview.
That was a momentous day when we first meet Patricia. I was so excited to have meet you. Thank you for your kind words and for being a great supporter and friend all this time. 🙂
This interview is like a gathering of greats. Both of you have been some of my biggest and longest running supporters over the past year to year and a half. Even though I have had blogs longer than both of you, i have learned and grown quite a bit because of your influence.
Has it really been that long Jon? Boy how time flies. Thank you, but we all have been learning together. I speak for myself: you have offered as much as we have given, maybe even more. 🙂
Jon, the support that all of us are able to offer each other really is amazing. It’s safe to say we’re all in this for the long haul 😉
Jeri, I feel very privileged to have been asked to do this. It has also been a blessing to have gotten to know you. Thank you for this my friend. 🙂
You’re the best in so many ways! Just think of all the books that are in store for us in the future. Here’s to many more collaborations to come 🙂
That’s really great! Awesome that you don’t have any sort of formal writing training or education and you still produce amazing work. Way to go!
Hi Scott and thank you. I do try to give it my best. It also helps that I have an awesome editor and friend in Jeri. 🙂
Enjoyed this interview! Congratulations to Susan for her publishing debut!
It’s nice to hear that others have met through LinkedIn. Like Susan, I’m still looking for a writing or critique group. Good Luck!
Thanks Denise, It has been, as I said, my little miracle. Jeri is amazing persona and an even better friend. 🙂
Great interview. I’m thankful my own blogging experience has allowed my path to cross with both of yours!
Thanks Sean, I think I can safely say I feel the same way. 🙂
Great interview with a wonderful person!!
Susan, am delighted to hear you are writing a cook book. Not sure what took you so long:-)
Loved the movie Dr Zhivago but honestly can’t remember if I read the book.
Hi Catarina, LOL… I know. I finally got around to working on it… with Jeri’s helps and encouragement of course. :-)))
Great interview, well done to both of you, ladies!
Susan, i am like you, very visual – you say it, i see it. Too bad i am not so handy with the brush like you 😀
Have you thought about transforming this into an audio book? Your voice is enchanting (i hope it’s a proper word!) and since it’s stories, i can only imagine how successful that would be!
You are amazing – good luck with all future endeavors!
Hi Diana, Thank you. Yep, being visual does have its advantages at time, doesn’t it? That is a great thought and one I will check out. Thank you for the suggestion. 🙂
Great interview! Thx for continuing to bring us interesting author interviews, Jeri.
As far as Susan goes, I consider her to be an inspiration in many ways. She sets an exemplary example of how a blogger should behave: be honest, supportive, interesting, versatile. And what’s most important, she’s a lovely person with an incredible talent for drawing inspirational illustrations. Quite the package! I’m sure her book will do very well.
I feel exactly the same way Doreen. We, each of us, have helped and inspired each other. I marvel at your wonderful Book on Chocolate and the great success you’ve had so far and will continue to have. I consider YOU an awesome package my friend. 🙂
Congratulations on this revealing interview, Susan. It’s a gift that you can both write and illustrate your work.
Hi Diane, Thanks so much for stopping by. The gift for me has been getting to know you and all that you have taught me about food writing. Even though I am still pretty new at it, I could not thank you enough for all that you do. 🙂
As the others have said this is a great interview with Susan. Susan is supportive, generous and deserves all the success she no doubt will achieve with her books.
Hi Susan, Thanks my friend. Time will tell where this will lead. One thing I know, you’ll never know unless you try (all with Jeri’s help).
I’ve followed Susan’s blog for some time now and count myself as a fan. Good to see this interview here and learn new things about her.
Lee
Tossing It Out
Hi there Arlee, Thank you and thanks for being a fan. Just so you know, I am big fan of your blog too. 🙂
Hi Jeri, I have to say, Susan is also up there on my list of admirable people. i adore her stories and illustrations because they are so beautifully crafted, mainly, I think, due to Susans thoroughly natural ability to be (as she would say) ‘an acute observer of all that was going on around me’ Having met Susan online, I feel a real bond with her work and am looking forward to reading my copy of ‘Lessons from an Ordinary Life’
I don’t think Susan is Ordinary at all!!
Thanks for interviewing this astonishingly talented lady Jeri 🙂
Jacs
Aw Jac, I remember the day i Meet you and we talked about tearing up the streets of London. Do you remember that? You have been such an amazing steadfast friend and supporter and for that I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Let us know what you think of the book when have read it. 🙂
Congratulations to Susan for all her accomplishments and to Jeri for a job well done on the interview and help on the editing of her book.
I’m happy to see Susan get this well-deserved recognition and the opportunity to share her work with the world.
Thank you my friend. It’s friends like you, Pat, that makes all the work, frustration and effort needed to completion worth it. 🙂
You’re welcome, Susan, and I feel the same in having friends like you. Makes the world a little closer.
It does indeed Pat. You’re the best. 🙂
Great interview. I found it so interesting that a person with dyslexia would write a book. Because dyslexia makes the decoding of words difficult, a lot of people with dyslexia tend not to read for pleasure, and perhaps not write for pleasure. With the rise of audiobooks, do you think you’ll try to get your book converted to audio? And I’m curious, do you mainly read traditional books or have you found audiobooks a good alternative, as they maintain the richness of the author’s language but get the perk of actors’ voices?
Hi RJ, These are very good questions. Decoding words, images or numbers can be problematic for dyslexic. There are many tools and training now available to help overcome some these challenges dyslexia can present. I read for pleasure now but only fiction. It takes me awhile but I do enjoy the experience of seeing the pictures the words paint in my head. However, put an instruction manual or business book infront of me and my eyes glaze over. That said if there are auditory books available I would definitely gravitate to those hands-down. As far as my book, it is a consideration. We are looking in to it. 🙂
Great interview, Jeri. Susan, I’m always in awe of someone who can both write and draw illustrations for their work, like you do. And, with dyslexia besides. You make it look easy. Thanks for sharing your tips in this interview.
Thanks Carol. I too, marvel at all you are able to accomplish with your blog, your books and all the other things you are involved with.
Hello Jeri; I have ben following Susan’s blog for a few months now, and I’m glad that you decided to bring her to the attention of your audience by doing this interview. She has an inspiring story and I’m sure your readers will be entertained as well as motivated by this portrait of her. Good luck with the future writing projects my friend. take care, Max
Aw Max, YOU inspire me. Jeri is a great friend and an amazing editor. It’s hard not succeed with her in my court. 🙂
Fantastic interview Jeri and I really liked your questions. Susan I really liked your answer here, “You just never know where something will take you.” That’s been such a truism more than ever the past year for me. I will be hopping over to Finding Your Way Now also 🙂
Hi Mike, Like you, those are word that I remind myself of everyday, especially when self doubt set in as it often does. I do hope you stop my blog and lend me y some of your thoughts. :-)))
Susan, I’m inspired by your story about how you became a writer despite your dyslexia. Awesome.
Hi Jagoda, Thank you. It just goes to show that with the right attitude and support you really can make things happen. 🙂
Really great to read this interview, and its fantastic that the two of you are working together. It’ svery inspiring for anyone Susan to read your experience and see that you can achieve something you once thought impossible if you go with something you love doing. And clearly that shows in all aspects of your blog. Well done to both of you on this joint venture.
What a nice thing to say A.K.. 🙂 The fact is, I couldn’t have made this book happened without Jeri’s help. I can’t forget Elizabeth who helped me formate it and then there is Cheryl who helped to keep me on track when I wasn’t so sure I could actually do it. It takes a community to accomplish much when you think about it. 🙂
I’ve always admired Susan. She has come a long way and I’ll always enjoy reading her stories.
Hi Krystle, If memory serves me right, you were the one who gave me my very first blog award. I was so surprised and too excited for words. You helped inspire me to keep on doing what I now do. Thanks you for that. 🙂
Wow, glad to see you 2 collaborating 🙂
It is pretty cool Tom, We make a very good team. 🙂
I love your “can do” attitude!
Well Hi There Mark, Thank you and thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. 🙂
Susan — Congratulations on your new book. I just downloaded the Kindle edition and happily recall reading some of those stories with your wonderful illustrations. I’ve also left a well-deserved 5-star review on Amazon. It’s a pleasure to know you.
Thanks Jeannette, I so appreciate you support and the 5 stars, WOW. that is so awesome. :-))))
I finally made it by Susan but what a great interview. It’s also nice to meet the woman behind helping you put everything into words so thank you Jeri for spotlighting this amazing woman.
Susan is the perfect example of being able to do things that were never on your radar before. I think we all have some type of limiting beliefs of ourselves so I’m glad that she knocked all those walls down and moved past them all.
I so enjoy Susan’s blog and the stories she shares, the great wines she introduces us to and those great recipes. Yummy!
Congratulations again Susan on your book and I have no doubt that your stories are great. I’ll have to get my hands on that one.
Thank you ladies and enjoy the upcoming week.
~Adrienne
Hi Adrienne, Aw thank you my friend. Without Jeri, this book would never have made it off the ground. When you think about it, what really limits us is fear; fear of failing, looking foolish, not being perfect and a myriad of other fears we all are so familiar with. It pleases me so that you have joined my “train” and are enjoying the ride.
Way to go, Susan. Congratulations on publishing your first book (I’ll bet it is the first of MANY — not just those mentioned in this interview). Keep it up. It has been fun to watch you continue to do more and more of what you love…and succeed at it!!!
– Loren
Aw, Hello Loren, Thank you so much for taking the time to stop by. I very much appreciate your encouragement. It is indeed the first of many more books to come. As a matter of fact, we are in the planning stages right now about the next books and when to stage their publishing. 🙂
Aw, Hello Loren, Thank you so much for taking the time to sop by. I very much appreciate your encouragement. It is indeed the first of many more books to come. As a matter of fact, we are in the planning stages right now about the next books and when to stage their publishing. 🙂
I enjoyed reading your interview.It’s great to see all of the things that you are doing.
Hi Niekka and thank you. Keep and eye out, thanks to Jeri, there is to come.
I’m so excited to see that Susan has come out with another terrific book. Congrats to you! It’s been great to watch Susan progress into such a successful writer, illustrator and blogger. I can’t wait to see what is accomplished next!
Aw, thank you Wendy. You have been there thru thick and thin so you would know where I started. 🙂
I was honored to be a part of Susan’s team on this project. I consider Susan to be an extremely talented writer, a wonderful blogger, and one of my best friends. 🙂
Hi Elizabeth. It was awesome to have you as part of the project. Along with Jeri, I couldn’t have done it without you two 🙂
Jeri & Susan,
This is wonderful seeing an interview of Susan here. I’m so happy to be part of the LinkedIn Bloggers Helping Bloggers group that you mentioned. It’s a true testament to some of the mutually beneficial relationships that started there and developed on each others’ sites and on some of the social networking sites. (I learned about this post on Google+ from Susan.)
Susan, I do have to tell you that even though I don’t get to your blog as often as I’d like (yours too Jeri) that I do enjoy deviating a little from the more serious blogs that I usually frequent. I especially love your illustrations. Your posts temporarily take me away from reality for a while.
Thank Sherryl,
Many a great friendships have been forged from BHB 🙂 That is so cool that you came from my SM efforts. It goes to show they work if you engage. 🙂
Thank you. It pleases me to no end that you find my site a place to escape when you need it. As far as images, I do try to keep improving and entertain while I do. 🙂
Hi
I’ve been away from our LinkedIn group and haven’t been blogging my book reviews – it has been more than a year now. However, I saw the status update about this blog post by Sherryl and promptly dropped by.
So nice to see this interview – thanks Jeri. Susan is on my list of favorite people too.
Hope all in the group are doing well.
Cheers,
Lubna
Hi Luna, It so nice to see you. We/I are doing well. Still at with the blog and now books. I do hope you are doing as well.
Aw… you are so kind. I feel the same. Hugs, 🙂
Awesome interview.
Thanks, Jeri it did a very nice job of asking the right questions. 🙂
An excellent interview with an amazing lady. Susan is always an amazing source of knowledge and I’m amazed that she hasn’t published a recipe book yet. Her recipes are always so solid, things come out as promised.
Great interview. I found it so interesting and I’m so happy to be part of the LinkedIn Bloggers Helping Bloggers group that you mentioned. It’s a true testament to some of the mutually beneficial relationships that started there and developed on each others’ sites and on some of the social networking sites. Thanks for the lovely interview. 🙂
Bhavesh, thanks for stopping by. I agree, our LinkedIn group is quite nice!
I know it’s weird but I want to be a part of that LinkedIn group if you and other don’t mind. 🙂
Bhavesh, the Bloggers Helping Bloggers group on LinkedIn is a sub-group of The Blog Zone. You have to join that one first and then request to join BHB 🙂