Exclusive Interview with Susan Goldsmith (Author of Abithica)

After we finished reading Abithica we had to pick the brain of the one who created this fantasy world!


RTR: If you could have lunch with anyone, dead or alive, who would it be and why?

Susan: I’d sit the founders of our Constitution down and drill them on what they envisioned for our country, and what they think about their vision now, but since we’re fantasizing, let’s throw in Jack Black (I love his quirky personality), and Stephen Hillenburg, the creator of SpongeBob SquarePants, just to keep the conversation interesting!

           

RTR: When did you decide to write Abithica?

Susan: Abithica was my answer to a question posed by Thomas Moore in his book, Care of the Soul, that being:  What is your worst fear.  That fear eventually grew arms and legs, and acquired a face, Abithica’s face.  By that time, I was too fascinated with her not to tell her story!

RTR: If you could only eat one thing for the rest of your life what would it be?

Susan: Pizza is the perfect food.  It covers all the food groups, AND it tastes good too!  If I could toss in a chocolate pizza once in awhile, that would be even better.

RTR: Are you writing any other books other than Abithica?

Susan: I’m currently working on the sequel to Abithica.  The title is going to be Echonyza.  (I think)  The sequel centers on The Legnas and how Abithica is tied to them.  Echonyza is a mysterious character who “awakens” to help The Legnas find the missing Sarah Cummings.  Like a snowflake, no two people see him the same.  He has the ability to be whatever you need him to be.  There are huge plot twists that will keep you on your toes, and Lane and Abithica’s love is challenged on the very opening scene in a huge unexpected way. 

RTR: What are the top three songs listened to on your iPod right now?

Susan: I have created an Echonyza playlist with 59 songs.  The top three songs are: 

“Monster” by Skillet

“Corrupt” by Depeche Mode

“Your Betrayal” by Bullet For My Valentine

RTR: Is Abithica a series?

Susan: Abithica is the first of three books.

           

RTR: If so, what can we expect in the next book (without giving anything away of course)?

Susan: Oops, I already answered that.

RTR: What got you into writing?

Susan: Stories are what got me through my childhood. When real life was overwhelming, I’d crawl into my imagination where sick mothers could be made better with a magical potion, or crazy fathers weren’t really crazy. They were just more evolved than the rest of us. Could see whole words and realities we couldn’t. Mean teachers? Witches - the whole lot of them. I soon branched out, and after sitting in Stephen King’s head for a while, decided my life was a Disney movie compared to the stuff his characters endured. Poor Carrie. Now that girl had issues!

            I loved stories, and had an endless supply of original ideas that would make fantastic books, but darn it, no matter how hard I willed those ideas to be carried through osmosis from my brain to my favorite authors’, it never happened. There they sat, alone in the dark, wilting, while I pursued every career, but writing. 

            Eventually, fate intervened and I was home with my little ones.  Suddenly, I was staring at the blank computer screen, not writing, just staring. I’d make a point to walk by it on my way to the bathroom, in-between Barney episodes, or during those times when my children actually did fall asleep during nap time.

Eventually, I did turn the computer on, and have been writing ever since.

RTR: Jukeboxes or Juiceboxes?

Susan: Jukeboxes.  I love music.

RTR: Any words of wisdom to aspiring authors?

Susan: Don’t just talk about it, do it.  Write it for yourself, and then later, after you’re convinced it’s a masterpiece, set it in a drawer and forget about it, the longer, the better.  Then read it with fresh eyes.  Fix all the problems, and then repeat, again, and again, and again….


Thank you so much Susan and we can't wait to read the sequel when it comes out!