Susanna welcome to A Romance Review. I am a real fan of your work and am so glad you have found the time to do this interview.

Thank you, Barbara! That brought a big goofy smile to my face. You just made my day.

Would you tell our readers a little about yourself?

If you read one of my stories, the heroines are usually good girls wishing they had a wicked streak. That type of heroine is a lot like me. I'm a Betty instead of a Veronica. I would be more comfortable playing Ethel than taking on the role of Lucy. I wish I was Laverne, but the truth is, I'm more of a Shirley.

What motivated you to want to become a published writer and how long was your road to publication?

I have been reading romances almost all of my life and around high school it was no longer enough to read the stories; I wanted to be a romance writer. I talked myself out of it several times because I knew it was going to be a long, hard journey. It took quite a few years, a lot of bad luck, and several false starts before I finally accomplished my goal.

As a romance writer, I want to give readers fun, sexy and romantic stories. I want to provide an escape from everyday routine. I want to create a safe place where the reader knows everything is going to turn out fine. Above all, I want to offer readers an upbeat reminder that they have what it takes to achieve their own dreams.

You currently write for Kensington Brava. I know there is an interesting story behind your acceptance with this publisher. Would you mind sharing this unusual experience with our readers?

My friend Jane Porter, who writes for Harlequin Presents, told me to submit my work to Kensington Brava. She was very insistent I do this, probably because she had heard me moan and mope about the publishing industry for years, but I was reluctant to take action. I'm not one to jump on a project that will guarantee rejection.

However, Jane can be tenacious and after the billionth "Did you send it?" email from her, I mailed off my unsolicited, unagented (in other words, no chance it will get accepted) first three chapters of "Wicked Ways" to Kensington.

Right away I received an email from Hilary Sares, an editor at Kensington. I really, really thought there had been some glitch. Did I forget the cover letter? Not enough postage on the SASE to reject me? Nope, I forgot to put down my phone number, so Hilary had to email me with an offer to buy my story.

After I screamed and ran around my home like a lunatic, Hilary asked to see some other stuff I was working on, I sent her some blurbs of a few "Wicked" ideas I had - one of which had just finaled in Lori Foster's Brava novella contest. Hilary and Kate Duffy, the editorial director, called me the next day to tell me that my ideas inspired the "Wicked" Woman anthology series.

Even to this day, it still floors me.

Needless to say, I don't dismiss Jane's ideas anymore.

What is it about romance in general that made you want to focus your work in that area?

I read my first romance, a Harlequin Presents, when I was ten years old and it made quite an impact on me. Since I was being raised in a very strict and ultraconservative environment, this was my first exposure of seeing women as the star of their own stories. The heroines went after their goals and achieved their dreams. They had sensual relationships, enjoyed them, and even better - didn't die or get punished because they had sex.

Before you knew it, I was walking to the public library every chance I had to get my hands on the Harlequins. I've been reading romances ever since, and when I decided to write a book, there was no question that it would be a romance.

Susanna the thing I love most about your writing is the fact that your characters seem so real and true to life. For instance the character of Molly Connors from your most recent single title Lip Lock, I could identify with this character on so many levels. I have had many similar experiences over the years to her. When you create a character do you draw on experiences you yourself have had or perhaps the experience of friends? What resources do you use to create such believable characters?

I know authors don't usually have a favorite heroine or hero, but Molly is my favorite heroine. She really is! One of the reasons is because I identify with her. I relate with her money struggles and her experiences, and I know women who have had to talk fast, camp out at work, or even date for food in order to make ends meet. Ask a woman what she ever had to do to make it from paycheck to paycheck and you will be amazed by her creativity and resourcefulness!

This is the reason why I wrote Lip Lock. I've been reading a lot of books where the heroine is too-good-to-be-true. You know the type: she marries a stranger/goes into debt/ sacrifices all for some ungrateful and undeserving relative. I can't relate to that kind of person. I wanted someone who would risk everything to get food in her mouth and a roof over her head. Someone who made mistakes and perseveres to clean it up. That's someone I could admire.

I know you have had many jobs in the past. Do you write full time now or do you still have a day job? What is your schedule like when you are working on a book?

I write full-time and even though I spend more hours working as a writer than anything I did in the corporate world, I wouldn't change a thing. What I do now is more satisfying.

As for my schedule, I would say 60% of the work day is spent writing while 40% is spent on the business side of writing. While I write one story at a time, I'm also working on other projects in different stages. It could be sending out ARCs for my upcoming release, working on copyedits of the book after that, and tweaking proposals for the projects after I'm done with my work-in-progress. No two days are the same for writers.

Your latest release, Valentine Survivor is in the new anthology out this month Valentine's Day Is Killing Me with fellow authors MaryJanice Davidson and Leslie Esdaile. What can you tell our readers about this latest creation?

"Valentine Survivor" is inspired by my twin sister's fanatic ideas about Valentine's Day. She has a certain level of expectation (translation: unrealistic!) for this holiday and one day I decided to come up with a story and mess with those V-Day expectations. I pitched the idea of Murphy's Law colliding with murder on Valentine's Day, and the Brava editors decided to develop an anthology based on that theme. No word yet on if my sister will ever forgive me.

You seem to be fond of the novella length story, which you do very well as well as the full-length books. Do you have a favorite between the two formats and if so why?

Thank you! Yes, it's true, I like writing novellas best, and just looking at what I buy at the bookstores, I definitely enjoy reading novellas. I think my preference is based on something more than instant gratification. I want to read stories that focus sharply on the couple and the relationship.

I think of your writing as romantic comedy. Is there another type of writing you hope to try your hand at in the future? Perhaps a historical or something with a bit heavier tone?

I agree that I put a lot of importance on humor in my stories. When I read a romance, I'm looking for something that is fun and puts me in a feel-good mood. So I write what I also like to read. I have a lot of ideas for sexy contemporary romances, so I don't see myself venturing away from it anytime soon. I also can't imagine the characters allowing me to do so. Years ago I tried to write something dark and melodramatic, but my heroines always managed to ruin the mood by saying something snarky.

Is there anything that has surprised you about becoming a published author? Something that you hadn't counted on? What is your favorite and least favorite thing about being a writer?

My most favorite thing about being a writer is losing myself in the story. You know how it is when you read a really good romance? You escape everything that is around you as you lose yourself in the story? It's the same way when writing, only a hundred times stronger.

My least favorite thing about being a writer is the deadlines. Can't stand them.

How does your family feel about having a romance writer in the family? I know you have a twin sister does she have any aspirations about being a writer? Does she get to read the early versions of your work?

Romances were forbidden in my childhood home, and while I'm sure my parents are glad that I'm using my English college degree, my family hasn't quite warmed up to the genre. My twin adores romances as much as I do, and started working in the publishing industry around the time I started writing. (She's such a copycat.) She has no aspirations of becoming a writer, but she does enjoy brainstorming with me - or telling me when an idea of mine will never, ever, ever work!

Can you tell us about upcoming releases? What can we expect from you into 2006 and beyond?

In May 2006, Confessions of a "Wicked" Woman will be re-released in mass market. Ex, Why and Me, my next trade paperback, is going to be available in July 2006, and in November 2006 my first erotic romance single-author anthology for NAL will be in bookstores. The title for that is Pink Ice.

What is the best way for your readers to get in touch with you?

Readers can find my email, snail mail and monthly newsletter info here: http://www.susannacarr.com/contact.htm.

To date what is your fondest memory about being a published writer?

My fondest memory is the first time a reader gave me feedback on my work. The reader waited in line at a book signing to tell me how much she enjoyed my books. She spoke so eloquently about how much pleasure my stories brought her. I wish I could say I was eloquent in response, but I wasn't prepared for something like this. Instead my jaw dropped, I blushed bright red, and my throat kind of made this strangling, gurgling sound. Despite all that, it's my fondest memory because I knew how the reader felt. Everything she said was what I experienced when I read my first romance. At that moment (after I stopped geeking) I felt like I came full circle.

Susanna thank you so much for taking the time to do this interview. I hope to read many more stories from your talented pen in the future. Best of luck for your continued success.

Barbara, thank you for taking the time to interview me. I appreciate it!