Hello there ladies and gentlemen, so nice to see you all again.

We round off the week with another great guest author in the form of Suzy Davies, as she gives us some interesting writing advice and fills us in on her books, including her Romantic novel “Johnari’s Window” and the adorable upcoming Children’s Series “Snugs The Snow Bear”.

Enjoy the interview and have a fantastic weekend folks.

 

Hi there Suzy, wonderful to be chatting with you as our guest here today finding out more about your writing, stories and the person behind them.

Let’s start with your novel “Johari’s Window”. It is a modern day love letter and contemporary fictional romance. Please flesh out more of the story for us and how your lead character finds both heartache and a myriad of different kinds of love across the course of her journey throughout the book.

The story begins in Aberystwyth, Wales, Suzy’s childhood home. The opening chapter shows forth the sensitivity and impulsiveness of a young girl – “Suzy” – the bird fancier.

This foreshadows what happens to Suzy, when she lets down her guard to the protagonist, Dr Raven, who is, in some ways, like her. The difference is in the way that he judges, whereas she allows her imagination to perceive. Dr Raven is a charmer, and the protagonist who represents the absent father, whom Suzy craves. He shatters her dreams, and their romantic interlude haunts Suzy’s memory like an obsession.

Morley’s rejection of Suzy brings about her subsequent choice of marriage to a violent alcoholic, Doyle. She feels bereft, and worthless. Suzy wants to help Doyle, but her kindness and compassion cannot touch him. Paradoxically, in the aftermath, Suzy is helped by others, and builds in strength, to heal herself. After this unfortunate episode with Doyle, Suzy now feels new compassion for Dr Raven.

The memory of the erudite Dr Raven spurs Suzy on to write, in a kind of catharsis. This writing brings about new friendships. Suzy emerges, determined to be all that she can be – to love herself, and to recognise different kinds of love: of family, of friends, and, in particular, to have compassion for her fellow human being.

In “Johari’s Window” Suzy traces the memory of her journey toward enlightenment and security. This journey is not linear; we are taken directly into Suzy’s consciousness as she remembers her experiences. The memoir traces this journey, from the workings of the subconscious, which begins to unfold in the “Journey Beneath The Stars” chapter.

The first woman to navigate The New World in her ship, “L’Etoile,” represents a kind of secret sharer who, disguised as a man, shows Suzy the way. The chapter entitled “The Window,” suggests that the journey is also an artistic journey – a walk of fire. It is from this fire that the writer emerges – like a Phoenix.

The way takes her to “South Korea”, where she teaches English as a Second Language, and finds solace in her work and friendships. This foreign land gives Suzy the stability and independence to write her book, and we are shown the “writer in the making” who has time to dream, and to find romance beneath the Cherry Blossom flowers.

These flowers Suzy names, “pink snow,” because they remind her of the winter, when she fell in love with Dr Raven. She will always remember him, standing at the lecture theatre window, with the view of the “first fall” of snow. In her memory he is “sun-drenched,” and her passion is such that the backdrop of snow appears to be on fire.

The final chapter of the book revisits Egypt, the land of The Pyramids and The Sphinx. The Sphinx seems to hold the key to Suzy’s dreams, and has revelations to make. She wants to know who will be her teacher, and the question seems to be rhetorical.

Suzy’s recalls her purchase, at Cairo Market, of a Lapis Lazuli stone, which represents all that is beautiful and mysterious in the world – particularly the mystery of love. The stone represents precognition, intuition, and “star-gazing.”
We all share “the common ground we stand on”, as the great Virginia Woolf suggested. And when we love our fellow man, we are humanitarians. We share the wonder of the universe.

When we gaze at the firmament, we know how small we are in the grand scheme, but we are inspired to take courage. After all, voyagers in history navigated by the light of the moon and stars. The sea meets the sky. We share a common sea of consciousness.

The ending of “Johari’s Window” is also a beginning. And Suzy still has questions to ask, and new discoveries to make – but, this time, she is stronger, and wiser.

If your novel was to be made into a film, who would you cast in the lead roles?

Kate Winslet would be “Suzy,” and David Duchovny would be Dr Raven. Doyle would be played by Johnny Depp. Suzy’s mother would be Helen Mirren, and her father, Anthony Hopkins. Angela would be played by Liza Minelli. Art would be played by Pierce Brosnan. Elena Dee would be the Diva in the opera, “Madama Butterfly,” mentioned in my book. I have met her, and presented a copy of “Johari’s Window” to her at Bournemouth Pavilion in England.

What do you find the most difficult thing about writing? And what do you find the easiest?

Writing is second nature to me. Characterization comes to me easily. I can also visualize settings with ease. Plots can be difficult!

Who are some of the authors in general that inspire you?

For Romance Fiction, Daphne Du Maurier is an inspiration to me. For memoir, Virginia Woolf and James Joyce. For Magic Realism, Salman Rushdie, and Isabel Allende. For Poetry, Pablo Neruda. His poem, “Every Day You Play,” inspired some of the imagery in my novel.

For my most recent venture, “Snugs The Snow Bear” A.A. Milne, Michael Bond, and Elizabeth Beresford were my major influencers. I am also indebted to Dylan Thomas.

What sort of research do you do to write your books?

In “Johari’s Window” I brought my own experiences to life. I did extensive research on global myths, and oral storytelling, and also looked into the history of world explorers, and revisited Feminism.

Why do you write? What inspired you to become a writer?

I love writing, and it is as essential to me as breathing. Natural inclination, nurture, and opportunity, with “a room of (my) own,” helped me develop a career as a writer.

What keeps you motivated during creative slumps? How do you deal with Writers Block?

Positive self-talk, and belief in myself keeps me going. Family are also a wonderful support to me, as are faithful friends! I have some lovely feedback from my readers – for me, my readership is my treasure. I don’t really believe in writers’ block. The secret is to have self-belief, and be out there in the world so that you have resources to draw on. Travel is a great educator, so get out in the world and see places, and observe people! Read a lot – it’s a kind of virtual travel, that will cultivate the writer in you!

You have access to a time machine. What advice do you give to your younger self?

“Go girl!”

How do you spend your free time when you are not writing?

I like a balance, and try to get out every day. I also enjoy cooking, listening to music, and reading.

Tell us more about your upcoming projects. Are you working on anything specific or have plans in the pipeline?

I am poised to launch the first book in a Children’s Series – “Snugs The Snow Bear.” I am very excited that Snugs, the hero of “The Snugs Series,” is a global ambassador, with a message about Green Issues and Global Warming, which is so topical! The book is sure to fire the imaginations of children, and the young-at-heart! It is educational, and I hope it will inspire a young audience to look after the environment and its animals. I also hope that, one day, my book will inspire a budding children’s writer or two!

Finally, are there any nuggets of wisdom that you can impart to other aspiring writers?

Make sure you write every day. Do not let anyone discourage you. Make writing a priority. Treat your writing like a job, and be disciplined about it. Have fun with it, too. Experiment to find out what you are best at! Make sure you get out and about, and that will give you inspiration for all that you write. Travel and meet people, and always carry a notebook around. Be yourself in all that you do. Try to get better and better. Dare to be unique! Never take your readership for granted. Always carry one or two of your books with you – you never know who you may meet!

And that’s a wrap! Thank you for spending time with us today Suzy 🙂

Bio:-

Suzy Davies was born in Reading, Berkshire, in England. Born into an Anglo-Welsh family, she spent her early childhood in Aberystwyth, Wales, and in Southwell, near Nottingham, England.

Eventually, the family settled in Nuneaton, Warwickshire, which has a famous literary connection with George Eliot. Suzy attended Nuneaton High School for Girls, and recalls that English was her favorite subject at school.

Suzy has enjoyed careers in Recruitment and Estate Agency, and Teaching. Her teaching career, spanning ten years, included a Lead Teacher and Literacy Specialist Role.

Suzy first started writing when she was six years old. It was only when she was in her thirties, that she had her poetry professionally published, and her first novel, “Johari’s Window,” was published in 2014, with SilverWood Books in Bristol.

She has just completed Book One of a Children’s Series, “Snugs The Snow Bear,” and a cover reveal will follow shortly! Suzy has already written the sequel, and Book Three of “The Snugs Series” is well underway!

Suzy now lives in Florida, The United States of America, and in her spare time, she enjoys nature rambling, visiting Daytona Beach, reading, cooking, mall shopping, and chilling out on boats!

You can connect with her on the following Social Media channels:-

Authors’ Den:- Suzy Davies – Author (AuthorsDen)
Freelanced:- Suzy Davies – Author, Article Writer, Copywriter (Freelanced)
Goodreads:- Suzy Davies – (Goodreads Author)
LinkedIn:- Suzy Davies – Author (LinkedIn)
Twitter:- Suzy Davies – Author (Twitter)

You can buy her books here (Snugs The Snow Bear is still being prepared for publication and will be available soon but Johari’s Window is currently available for purchase at the links below):-

Buy Suzy Davies’ books in Canada

Buy Suzy Davies’ books in UK/Europe

Buy Suzy Davies’ books in the US/Rest of the World

Still want more? Well Suzy’s book Johari’s Window features a protagonist who is a bird fancier and romance blossoms for her once the seeds have been planted. This leads me to believe that there is indeed a relevant prompt over at The Daily Post. For more articles that share the theme of ‘Tree’ then click on the articles below:-

1. TREE : INTERCONNECTED WISDOM – Rainbow
2. artifiswords – TREE
3. Writing Exercise: Tree – Dreaming with Your Eyes Open: Points of Light
4. Tree: A short story. – Nomadic Adventurer
5. I Miss My Mango Tree – passiondesignerblog
6. Two Trees – Unfolding From the Fog
7. Travel Much? – The Cursed Forest
8. To An Iroko Tree – aYoKa
9. Under the Tree – Hazy Perception
10. The Tree of Genes – Making Sense of Complications
11. Tree&Kite…(Part2) – Pebbles
12. Tree – calliemm
13. Gwyncurbygodwin’s Blog – TREE
14. My Mixed Blog – Family Tree
15. Sand … Stars – the growing
16. ‘Trees’ from Wandering by Hermann Hesse – Happiest barefoot
17. Trees from the Ogham Alphabet: Ivy (Gort) – Happiest barefoot
18. The True Value – Eagle’s Wing Ministries
19. Talking Tree – SENTIMENTS
20. Persephoneina – I suck at Tree Prompts.
21. whennothingworks – When Trees Walk Home With You
22. It’s All in Finding the Right Words – Tree
23. TO A TREE – MY WALL
24. Inevitable Ascension – How is my character like a tree?
25. This, On Purpose – Too Much Too Soon
26. Po’ Girl Shines – Tree
27. Paradise Tree – Lost in Thought
28. A Seed & A Thought – OneAndNone
29. Anton’s Ideas – THE TREE, THE BLOSSOM AND THE FRUIT
30. Strong Roots – Daily Prompt – farbehindme
31. The Weeping of the Willow – If Moms Could Write
32. To the Vine – Journey of a Happy Girl
33. Lost Roots – Occasional Dreams
34. Sasha’s Writings – Love tree
35. I Will Fight Site – Friday Fictioneer: Man or Tree #flashfiction #amwriting
36. the tree and a house – Praise Word Spaces
37. La Tour Abolie – Woodman, Woodman, Spaaayre that Tree!
38. Shoes Fashion Tree – Custom Shoes Blog
39. a cooking pot and twistedtales – Imagine The Barrenness…
40. logicaldreams – Good News, Bad News
41. Climbing the Family Tree – Melolontha by the River
42. Fashion Tree: Sarah Janks New York bridal Briana – Sarah Janks
43. Lost Property Repository – When is a tree not a tree?
44. Tree – Excuse Me Linda….but….
45. Boat cruise Dubai marina – Local trees come to life in the UAE – Yacht in Dubai
46. Peyton/Ben #6 – Darkly Dezire
47. Ni200 Coil Head for Uwell Rafale Clearomizer Authentic – Vape Style Blog
48. haiku 7 – and the rain left off
49. Do you feel the trees? – charlynn’s jar
50. Passion through Poetry – Wind in Trees
51. Day 23 – The Willow – Leigha Robbins
52. Tree And Us – Mariam Hyder
53. the tree of all things wretched and pure – Kevin Army
54. Wooden – xanthia rose
55. Purposive Writer – A Tree Firmly Planted By Streams Of Water
56. Whole30, day 24. Wait, Wait…I’ve managed to go on living without bread? – Pursuing Balance in All Things
57. Michael J. Fite – How Can A Tree Teach You To Rise Up From Your Issues?
58. Walnut Tree – A Place to Remember
59. Eden of Knowledge
60. Tree – my unremarkable story
61. ExplorewithMafaza – Tree of fruits : a poem
62. Moonlight Reflections – Mimosa Tree
63. Tree of Life – Mac’s World
64. Trees I Have Known – The Chicken Grandma
65. The Daily Post – Roaming Urban Gypsy – Tree
66. inspiration in progress – Tree
67. Daily Post Prompt: Tree – Lillith’s Landing
68. mb’s words & writes – Tree
69. Jibber Jabber with Sue – Hawaii’s Finest…Hibiscus and Java
70. MY ENDURING BONES – They Hear Us Breathe
71. helen meikle’s scribblefest – Daily prompt: Diamonds don’t grow on trees
72. Baby Gates Down – When You Can’t See the Forest…
73. Not just a tree… – Serendipitous Web Life
74. wonderings of carly – bare bones
75. The Power of Concentration by Theron Q Dumont – The DP Library
76. A Thyroid Cancer Life – Neighborhood Flora & Fauna
77. Chris Writes – Sitka Spruce
78. Sacrificial Chain Breaker – ODE TO A TREE
79. Tree and Kite… – Pebbles
80. Tree – Inner Whispers
81. Jackie’s Forget Me Nots – Getting to the Root of Trees
82. Stutter-Stepping Heart – Tree of Life Everlasting
83. Lost Property Repository – The art of tree felling
84. The Tree On The Breen – THE SKY’S THE LIMIT
85. Devil Doll Musings – One In A Million
86. Autism in Our Nest – Be a Buddy, Not a Bully
87. 83 Unsung Heroes – Hidden In Plain Sight
88. manvsloneliness – Day 92: The Man and the Taste of Figs; ‘Tree’
89. guess what? – writemebad
90. The Inkwell – Horse Chestnut Tree
91. wordsareallihavesite – Tree
92. Under the Twisted Willow – Under The Twisted Willow
93. Fluffy Pool – Greenery
94. awcsome. – tree.
95. Christine’s Collection – Winter’s Icy Blast
96. The Tree – “A SURREAL ODYSSEY”
97. The Showers of Blessing – Twisted Tree
98. Bonsai Tree – Roseylinn’s Point of View
99. Ouch!! My back hurts!! – Tree
100. The Secret of the Tree ( A Short Story) – stephentotheplate
101. TREE : INTERCONNECTED WISDOM – Rainbow
102. kaitie’s wings – These trees are a trap.
103. Big Tree, Little Baby – My Crazy Graced Life
104. Trees: wisdom  – Tails of a Tattered Heart
105. Nemophilist – introverted activist blog
106. Making it write – Forest
107. Tree – Long walks and dark chocolate
108. 26 Letters Poetry Blog – Mighty Oak
109. The Value of a Tree – April’s Perspective
110. quiet time journal – The Tree
111. Annette’s place – Daily prompt/tree/10/5/2016
112. Writing Prompt: Tree- A Poem #amwriting – KimKnight_Author
113. like a tree – Love it Now
114. Hyde Park II – The Last Blog Available
115. Tree – Postcard from a Pigeon
116. Making it write – Seeing you again
117. Trees – English Lit Geek
118. Tracey in Maine – Tree
119. Anirban Blogs – The World Tree and the Endless Sky
120. 26 Letters Poetry Blog – Broken Tree
121. Legend of THE POET – The Kingdom of Tree
122. Talking Trees – Fictional Journey
123. To Pursue Happiness – Meditate
124. Tree – Vermont Book Works
125. JonahzSong – Tree
126. Tree-Daily Prompt from ChosenPerspectives 10-5-16 – chosenperspectives
127. There Are More Poets than Stars in the Firmament – embrace the desire within
128. A Scottish Christmas – a mile in my shoes
129. A Pedestrian Regret – LazyHaze
130. Memories and A Tree – Blessed Moments -n- Memories
131. What Family Tree? Or: How The Internet Knew More About my Family than I Did – Oddities and Ends
132. Mighty Tree – emotionsoflife2016
133. His garden – Let The Light In ~ Reflections
134. Letters & Lemonade – quote.
135. Writings from the Meadow – Tree
136. The Fifteenth Concession – Endlessly
137. Surviving Clergy Abuse – Climb the Tree
138. kindergartenknowledge.com – Our Son’s Words. His Legacy To Us.
139. The Tree – justBe
140. Family Tree – and Hemochromatosis – REBL In Motion Fitness and Health
141. Tree – Image & Word
142. Tall and Distinctive – Heaven’s Sunshine
143. Full-Time – Big
144. Willow not Tree – Occasional Dreams
145. Tree – No Whining
146. Insach – Roots and leaves.
147. The Sleeping Reading Beauty – Rootless
148. Tree – disue
149. The Tree and JNW’s Halloween Challenge: Haunted – Cee’s Photography
150. charlesewaugh – The Redwood Tree
151. Scribblings for you – Our trips to the hidden eden
152. WHAT DOES FASHION ACTUALLY MEAN?? – Okoto Enigma
153. Childhood Misadventures – Sunken Thought
154. It’s all about priorities – Exploring Mama
155. The Muses’ Emporium – I Think that I Shall Never See…
156. Tree – iamdeltapositivenegative
157. A Joy To Write – Tree
158. Le Drake Noir – Added spice of nature
159. SERENDIPITY – TREES WITH COLOR COMING
160. Flowers and Breezes – Tree
161. Truth – Grounded in Fantasy
162. Zombie Flamingos – Not much to say today
163. Ru… – Two Big Trees
164. AS I LOOK BACK – rhymeagination
165. Only when the last tree has died – AwarenessHelps.com
166. The Tree at the Backyard – ARJUN SHIVARAM
167. Heltsley Home Page – Signs of Change
168. Sprawly – DP- Trees
169. Tree – sunrainlife
170. Wanderlust – A new chapter – Trees Abundant @Al Ain Oasis
171. Musings of a Random Mind – Free Falling
172. LadyLebz – WHEN SUN AND STORMS COLLIDE IN SPRING AND SUMMER
173. Árbol – apserranoblog
174. Tr33 – lovelyricism
175. That old tree – Reem Writes…
176. Sara Ackerman, author – The Elf
177. Light Motifs – Our Weeping Willow
178. A morning at Sierra Vista – Settle in El Paso
179. Invisible warrior – Caboosemama Little Pleasures
180. Giggles & Tales – The Daily Prompt – Tree!
181. MY OWN PRIVATE IDAHO – Tree At My Window
182. The Trees – Living, Learning and Letting Go
183. The Gad About Town – Leap Into Fall
184. sparksfromacombustiblemind – Tree
185. Success Inspirers’ World – Roots and Limbs
186. a photo bomber – my sweetpainteddreams
187. Roots and Limbs – atrangizindagieksafar
188. Little Calico’s Journal – Tropical Tree
189. The Gad About Town – The Forest and the Trees
190. Room with a view – Elaine’s Bloggers Paradise
191. The Cinderella of Flowers – genusrosa
192. Light Contained – I’m a Writer, Yes, I Am!
193. The tamarind tree – Second Time Blogger
194. No Man’s Land – Angela Montijo
195. Your Nibbled News (c) 2016 YNN – A tree is more than a handy nuisance
196. Tree – I think, I say, I do
197. Pen Tree – Wake-Up-And-Smell-The-Hummus
198. TREE AS THEY ARE – breathingpark
199. lifelessons – a blog by Judy Dykstra-Brown – Below
200. Focus… – SUCCESS STRATEGIES
201. Sugar Maple Tree – trailingthoughtsblog
202. Insidious (en)TREE – Insidious Temptation
203. FYI: What is the Electoral College? How does it work? – The Mono-Economy of the New Millennium
204. The Lone Oak – Writings from the Heart
205. Joes-Fotowelten – Two to the left, two to the right
206. Season of Green – eddaz
207. Smores and Sundresses – 3 Ways to Make The Most Out of Autumn
208. Focus on trees ⋆ Obsolete Childhood
209. Chronicles of an Anglo Swiss – We have trees
210. A greenskeepers’s prayer – Leaking Ink
211. Think About It – Bare Trees
212. Tree – Covert Novelist
213. Multiple Clown Sightings – A lot from Lydia
214. juantetcts – Daily Post:Tree
215. B_ up to date – Keep your breath or …
216. IMPERFECT ME – Okoto Enigma
217. Maybe there will be cupcakes… – Day 9: Tree
218. Mama Tell me the Truth….about Dating. – LIVING AND LEARNING
219. A Dedication To Mothers: – Khadhy
220. Best Employee – Ms Skyfall
221. Joyously Hopeful – A Branch in the Family Tree
222. Tiffany Higgins, writer – Tree
223. Full-Time – Live On
224. Connected – My Second Act, Scene One
225. Not Much – SYAZ.WANI.
226. Carolina on My Mind – The Page Turns
227. cahla’s tawkin’ – Tree
228. Tree… – Emotions that matter.
229. Rooted together – The Grateful Dead – The Voice of the Mortals
230. Tree: The Daily Post Prompt – Mind of Sork
231. Like a tree, this mushroom soup stands alone. – art of being fabulous
232. Norbugang throne and chorten – Don’t hold your breath
233. One-Word Prompt – Conker Tree Season
234. So much to tell you… – elbowsandtongue
235. Tree – Explore Pets
236. Dew Drops – The Deceptive Bonsai
237. thelonerose – An extra hour
238. Like a deciduous tree… – Random Thoughts and Musings
239. I’m asking this old oak tree 200 year I presumed – Tree of life
240. Spring – indisputably inconclusive
241. TREE: TELL THE UNTOLD STORY, WHICH NONE WILL DARE TO TELL – Rainbow
242. Southern By Design – One Photo At A Time
243. Tree – A Haiku – Walfred Photography
244. Walfred Photography – Tree
245. The Way is Now Open – Pete Gardner Psalms
246. Hot White Snow – The Invisible Fall
247. That Old Tree – Writer’s Blog
248. Devil Doll Musings – It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere
249. 33 Prayers to Election Day: Growl for Justice – Growl for Justice
250. sixty, single and surviving – Trees
251. Kate Murray – Tree
252. I wrote a book. Now what? – Who’s who in the grand scheme of things
253. Being Pooja – Aloe vera friend
254. RunTriMom – TREE
255. Tree – Allison’s Written Words
256. the15thday – miss kitty and the “berry bush”
257. The Leafy Witch – Khayal
258. kStan(ly) kSays – for jon
259. Lost Property Repository – The Midnight Cowboy visits the park
260. Serendipitousbloom.com – Writing Wednesdays: The Oak Tree
261. Haiku: A Loving Gift – whippetwisdom.com
262. Lee Aspland – Tree
263. Hawk’s Happenings – October Trees
264. Tree of Writing – Chronicles of an Orange-Haired Woman!
265. kStan(ly) kSays – if the wind comes
266. Cutting Down the Old Maple – Bits of Poems
267. Woodman, Spare that Tree! – Scattered Showers in a Clear Sky
268. Lost Property Repository – A dark unfinished mess
269. Frank Prem – the girl who had her red shoes on
270. Designer Sophisticate – Willow, don’t you weep for me.
271. Three Trees And Me – Blog of Hammad Rais
272. The Wandering Poet – A city surrounded by trees
273. ….on pets and prisoners….. – daily prompt: tree
274. Michel Montecrossa Blog – Today’s Art: ‘Tree Fairy’ – painting by Michel Montecrossa
275. So, You Think You Can Teach ESL? – Plant the Seed
276. kStan(ly) kSays – time to find a new abode
277. Recreation: The Parks Between – Nomadchasingwaterfalls
278. Klee and Dale’s Cosmic Photo Challenge – the trees – ladyleemanila
279. Frank Prem – belle and beau
280. For Them. – Today’s Tomorrow
281. THE STRANGER BEHIND THE SCREEN – Okoto Enigma
282. Lantern Words – The Living Tree