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Interview with Suzanne Ouimet

Published 2013-10-05.
When did you first start writing?
Probably in grade school, which was many long years ago!
What's the story behind your latest book?
Ah! You mean Smoke Screen? Well, I'd just finished and published (using CreateSpace) my first book, Lost in Long Cove and realized I and a few readers of LLC wanted more of MaryBeth and Tom, so started Smoke Screen.
Why did you choose Smoke Screen as the title for the second book?
Well, the story is about the investigation of a fire, the family who are involved and how people create a 'smoke screen' around portions of their lives.
I was most annoyed to discover that Sandra Brown had published her latest book with the same title, which of course, eclipsed mine in the search engines!
What are you working on next?
Right now, two stories. One called Way Lonesome, about a young girl discovering the world; the other with the working title of 'Alistaire Foote' which is the third in the Marybeth and Tom series
Who are your favorite authors?
Right now, Lee Child with the Jack Reacher stories and John Standford with the Prey novels, featuring Lucas Davenport.
Which author most inspired your writing style?
Robert B. Parker. Miss him dreadfully. His stories are dialogue driven and that's my style too.
Do you remember the first story you ever read, and the impact it had on you?
Hey! The stories in my Third Grade reader! I wanted more.
How do you approach cover design?
Tried to find images that related to the subject of the book.
What is your e-reading device of choice?
I have a Kobo Vox and an iPad, both of which are good
What book marketing techniques have been most effective for you?
Only thing I've used are giving away hard copies and recommending ebook versions to various friends and relatives. Have offered free versions on Smashwords occasionally as we'll.
Describe your desk
Usually a mess at my PC, pretty clear when I'm using the iPad as I am now
Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?
Grew up in Mimico, Ontario, but spent all summers at our cottage on an island at Pointe au Baril, in Georgian Bay. The setting for the two Marybeth and Tom novels was reminiscent of P au B
What motivated you to become an indie author?
Not being able to go through the whole agent/publisher nonsense
How has Smashwords contributed to your success?
For sure, although it seems there have been loads of downloads, so far haven't seen any earnins
What do your fans mean to you?
Have a few that I know. Their comments mean a great deal to me.
When you're not writing, how do you spend your time?
reading, camping, playing scrabble on my iPad
What is your writing process?
Once I get the beginning, it should just flow. Lately it's been a bit more difficult. Pipes must be clogged.
What do you enjoy most about writing your stories?
The way the characters just seem to write themselves. It's amazing
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Books by This Author

Smoke Screen by
Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 60,830. Language: English. Published: January 12, 2012 . Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » General, Fiction » Cultural & ethnic themes » Cultural interest, general
Tom and Marybeth, two young police officers discover the local fire chief was something of a hero. But, as Mickey Mantle once said, "you don't have to wait long, or look far, to be reminded how thin the line between a hero and a goat."
Lost in Long Cove by
Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 39,180. Language: English. Published: January 7, 2012 . Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » General
While searching for two lost children, two young auxiliary police officers encounter, among others, an injured postmaster with an interesting history, a dead dog, an angry, abusive lodge owner with a challenging problem and too many identical boats.