Her author bio alone made me run out to grab her book! I hope you enjoy our interview.
Born in the Big
Apple, Susie Black now calls sunny Southern California home. Like the
protagonist in her Holly Swimsuit Mystery Series, Susie is a successful apparel
sales executive. Susie began telling stories as soon as she learned to talk.
Now she’s telling all the stories from her garment industry experiences in
humorous mysteries.
She reads, writes,
and speaks Spanish, albeit with an accent that sounds like Mildred from
Michigan went on a Mexican vacation and is trying to fit in with the locals.
Since life without pizza and ice cream as her core food groups wouldn’t be
worth living, she’s a dedicated walker to keep her girlish figure. A voracious
reader, she’s also an avid stamp collector. Susie lives with a highly
intelligent man and has one incredibly brainy but smart-aleck adult son who
inexplicably blames his sarcasm on an inherited genetic defect.
Looking for more? Reach her at mysteries_@authorsusieblack.com
Side
note: Just behind my college graduation,
wedding day, and birth of my son, June 9th was truly one of the most amazing
days of my entire life. My debut cozy mystery Death by Sample Size was released
for publication. I am humbled, honored, and proud to be able to say that now I
am officially a published author! A life-long dream has come true, a hard-fought-
for goal has been accomplished.
Tell us about your life outside of writing.
Like the protagonist in Death by Sample Size, I am a Los
Angeles-based sales exec in the ladies’ swimwear industry. I am married to a
highly intelligent man who still makes me laugh every day and have one adult irreverent
son who is a linguistic Psychologist. I am a college graduate and speak, read,
and write mid-level Spanish; regrettably, with absolutely NO accent whatsoever.
I am a dedicated walker, voracious reader, and have been a stamp collector
since childhood.
Do you have a work in progress?
I do. The second book in the Holly Swimsuit Mystery Series is in
editing stage right now. It may take a bit longer than originally planned as I
am contemplating adding a new continuous character, a pet, and the hint of a
love interest for the protagonist.
What was the most difficult section/piece
you ever wrote?
The most difficult section I ever wrote was the middle
of the story. What made it difficult? It was difficult because there were
two potential versions that I liked equally, but choosing one over the other
would have an impact on how the story ended. I solved my dilemma by allowing
the characters to control the middle of the story and drive the plot to the
end. I figured if the book was a nuclear bomb, I could blame the
characters…LOL! So far, the reviews have been excellent and the characters
haven’t stopped bragging how they are responsible for how successfully the book
has been accepted. Believe me, these characters are getting a swell head.
What sort of research do you do for your
work?
Since all my stories take place in the sane industry I
am actually in, my every day work is the main source of my research. People in
my industry and everyday life situations are my best sources of research. I
have kept a daily journal during the course of my entire career where I
chronicle the quirky, interesting, sometimes challenging people I’ve
encountered and the crazy situations I’ve gotten myself into and out of. All my
characters and plots are based on the people I’ve met and the situations I’ve
been in, using a good deal of poetic license of course.
Which books and authors do you read for
pleasure?
I tend to read books and authors in the humorous cozy
mystery genre, the same genre I write in. Is there an author who inspires
you? I have been inspired by many authors, but if I had to choose one that
inspired me the most, it would be the late, great Joan Hess. Her
irreverence and wise-cracking way of commenting on society’s foibles via her
characters is something I have emulated.
Was there a person who encouraged you to
write?
Yes, there were several. My maternal grandmother, my
dad, and my high school journalism teacher.
DEATH BY SAMPLE SIZE
Everyone wanted
her dead…but who actually killed her?
BONUS!! Death by Sample Size Excerpt
When the elevator doors opened, I had to stop myself short not to
step on her. There was Bunny Frank-the buying office big shot-lying diagonally
across the car. Her legs were splayed out and her back was propped against the
corner. Her sightless eyes were wide open and her arms reached out in a
come-to-me baby pose. She was trussed up with shipping tape like a dressed
Thanksgiving turkey ready for the oven with a bikini stuffed in her mouth. A
Gotham Swimwear hangtag drooped off her lower lip like a toe tag gone lost.
Naturally, I burst out laughing.
Before you label me incredibly weird or stone-cold, let me say
genetics aren’t all they’re cracked up to be. If you’re lucky you inherit your
Aunt Bertha’s sexy long legs or your father’s ability to add a bazillion dollar
order in his head and get the total correct to the last penny. Without even
breaking into a sweat, it’s easy to spout at least a million fabulous traits
inheritable by the luck of the draw. Did I get those sexy long legs or the
ability to add more than two plus two without a calculator? Noooooooooo. Lucky
me. I inherited my Nana’s fear of death we overcompensated for with the nervous
habit of laughing. A hysterical reaction? Think Bozo the clown eulogizing your
favorite aunt.
I craned my neck like a tortoise and checked around. Then I
clamped a fist over my mouth. Cripes, how could I possibly explain my guffaws
with Bunny lying there? The disappointment was simultaneously mixed with relief
when there was no one else in the parking lot. Where was security when you
needed them?
I toed the elevator door open and bent over Bunny. I’d seen enough
CSI episodes to know not to touch her. She was stiff as a board and I
attributed the bluish tinge of her skin to the bikini crammed down her throat.
I was no doctor, but I didn’t need an MD after my name to make this diagnosis.
Bunny Frank was dead as the proverbial doorknob.
It was no surprise Bunny Frank had finally pushed someone beyond
their limits. The only surprise was it had taken so long. The question wasn’t
who wanted Bunny Frank dead. The question was who didn’t?
In case you’re like me and can’t wait to read more….
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