A Novice To Watch: Meet Susan R. Mills!!!

Hi-Dee-Oh!! Hope ole Mr. Peter Cottontail brought you a basket full of joy!

If your sweet tooth is still hankering for a fix, I've got the perfect treat . . .

Meet Susan R. Mills! She's a very talented writer and stunning blogger who is definitely A NOVICE TO WATCH. Her blog, A Walk In My Shoes, is one of my favorite haunts. If you've got a thing for shoes, you'll want to click on over and scope out the eye-candy!

Pull up a seat and let's get hippty-hoppin'!!


1) If you were a book, what would your blurb be?

In the ever-changing world of publishing, Susan R. Mills discovers what it means to write well, write for life, and write honestly. With passion, clarity of purpose, and a will to survive, she battles her way through the jungle and faces her adversaries head on. As she stretches herself to new limits, both her triumphs and defeats are met with unmatched enthusiasm and a love for the art. Through it all, she never loses hope.

2) Using three words, describe your voice.

Determined. Hopeful. Passionate.

3) What genre do you write? Which published author would you say your writing comes closest to?

I write Contemporary Young Adult (always with a romantic element). I'm hesitant to compare myself to a published author (maybe it's the fear of not measuring up), but I'll humor you. I aspire to be of the S.E. Hinton caliber, only for a slightly older audience. Her stories are all unique with complicated plots, and she never fails to drive a message home. These messages are timeless and will apply to generation after generation. I read her books, my kids have read her books, and no doubt my future grandchildren will read her books. What more could an author ask for?

4) Give us the 'deets' on your WIP!

My current WIP is entitled Tick-Tock. I'm deep in the revision stage, but the final word count should be close to 70,000. Here's a little blurb about it:

Hillsboro, Kansas--population less than three thousand--is tucked safely away in the heart of America. But sixteen-year-old Laney Bledsoe learns the hard way that danger has far reaching hands. When her best friend is murdered, Laney is faced with the daunting task of sorting through not only her own emotions, but also the dark secrets uncovered by the tragic death. In the process, she falls in love with the victim's brother, Jack Johnson, and unknowingly sentences herself to a life of uncertainty--a life in which each moment could be her last.

Tick-Tock is inspired by my own experiences growing up in the Midwest with a handful of creativity thrown into the mix.

5) Your blog, A Walk In My Shoes, is awesome! (I love how you incorporate a pic of a shoe with each post.) What was your inspiration for getting the site going? Most importantly, do you find the shoe and then structure the blog or vice versa? lol Inquiring minds want to know!

Well, first of all, thanks for the compliment. My blog has been a lot of fun to develop and nurture. I started it in May of last year as a means to connect with other writers. I wanted it to be a place where I could share my journey (thus the title A Walk In My Shoes), and also a place where other writers could share their journeys. Never in a million years did I think I'd develop such great friendships along the way. My blog has been a great blessing to me. As far as which comes first, the picture or the post, the answer is both. Usually, I have a topic in mind and then find a shoe picture to go along with it. Occasionally, though, I come across a shoe picture that I can't resist, and I formulate my post around it.

6) Do you have any advice for all our fellow novices out there on building a platform for their work?

Platforms? Well, never wear them if you are going to be on your feet for any length of time. No, I'm kidding. I know what you mean by platform, and the thought of building one is overwhelming at times. I wouldn't exactly consider my blog part of a platform. My target audience doesn't read my blog. I do have a handful of teenage and twenty-something readers, but for the most part, my readers are other aspiring authors like me. I'm fine with that for now, but I also know that, in the future, I'll have to shift gears and reach out to my target audience. The best advice I can give to my fellow unpublished authors about building a platform is to keep the necessity in mind, but focus first and foremost on your writing. A solid platform doesn't mean diddly-squat if you don't have a solid manuscript to promote. That being said, it's never too early to start developing an on-line presence. Whatever means you choose, whether it's Blogger, Facebook, My Space, Twitter, keep it professional. You never know who might be reading what you write.

7) What are your aspirations for the future?

Well, my obvious and most immediate aspiration is to be published. Beyond that, I'd like to improve with each manuscript. I never want to settle for where I am. I want to keep reaching, keep growing, and keep working hard. If I happen to make millions of dollars in the process, well, I'd take that too.


Thanks, Susan! I appreciate you letting me interview you! Good luck with your writing!!

Thanks for having me. It's been an honor and a pleasure. Here's to making every step of our journeys count!

I'm all for that! (Especially if it involves some of the high heels she features. WOWZA!) I'd like to thank Susan for letting me grill her. Keep your peepers peeled TLN'ers because I know without a doubt we'll be seeing this lovely lady's name on a book cover one day!

To get your week off with a kick, how about some JASON ALDEAN and his 'get-your-hips-shaking' SHE'S COUNTRY!! Crank it up and enjoy!! Louder is always better, well, at least when faced with a Moanday! lol Catch ya later, TLN'ers!