Fiction Friday | Getting to Know Susan Branch

Today for Fiction Friday we are getting to know Susan P Branch.

Please welcome Susan P Branch to our blog today. We are going to have a little fun while we learn a little more about Susan. Susan also has a new book about to release.

1. Can you tell us a little about yourself?

I have always been a storyteller and artist. My favourite subject at Primary School was Composition and Art. My favourite subjects at Secondary School were Drama, French and would you believe, Geography. We had the most amazing Geography teacher who had travelled the world and she brought the subject to life. I had the honour to tell her that at a class reunion last century. Life got in the way and for several decades I would only occasionally draw, until I joined my sister at her market stall and began fabric painting – a skill I didn’t know I had, as I had not been trained in Painting.

2. When you were a child did you have a favourite book or books?

Hmmm, too long ago, I can’t remember. Ha haa. Actually, now I remember that I loved Little Golden Books, and anything with horses or fantasy. I loved The Famous Five – well the first one I read, anyway. It was about ponies. The next Famous Five book didn’t have horses in it, so I lost interest in the series. I have always been a voracious reader, so rarely read a book twice as there is always another amazing adventure, fantasy or horse story awaiting my discovery.

3. Do you have a favourite Genre to both read and to write?

I read mainly Christian biographies, autobiographies, historical fiction/adventure, Apologetics. I was blessed to work in a Christian Bookstore for a couple of years and these wonderful books were at my fingertips. I was able to read whatever I liked because, of course, one needs to know about the books, doesn’t one, so that you can recommend them to customers? It was the best job I have ever had! I do enjoy other novels from time to time, but I am hungry for knowledge and like to read books that will educate me – refer to first sentence.

I am currently writing and illustrating children’s picture books, however I began my autobiography/anecdotes several years ago, but I tell people I am not dead yet, so it is still a work in progress. I also write short stories and in-depth dissertations of God’s Word.

4. Did you have any favourite authors growing up who have influenced you?

None come to mind, but we are all influenced by books that we read, so I guess the style of books I read is the style of book that I write, yeah?

5. When did you know you wanted to be an author?

Since childhood I have dreamed of becoming an author but it is only when I became involved in Children’s ministries teaching Religious Instruction at the local schools and in my church, that I began creating stories. About five or ten years ago a friend kept encouraging me to publish my stories and emails and to that end I began to rewrite a Christmas Play as a Picture Book with the dream to ‘one day’ have it published.

6. How did you go about becoming an author?

While redoing the Christmas Play, the abovementioned friend suggested that I write a Picture Book for my grandson, who lives in the US. It was an ‘Ah Haaa!’ moment and just the impetus I needed to DO something about it. I knew that I had to complete the book while my grandson was still young enough to want to read a Picture Book, and so … my writing/illustrating ‘career’ began.

7. If you were not a writer what would you like to be?

I have been a product demonstrator, RI teacher, a Bible Study group leader, a clown … yes I was a clown – red nose and all – who entertained chronic and terminally ill children, and visited a women’s prison to make their children’s visit less scary by using performing arts, storytelling, face painting etc. So basically, I would like to be God’s messenger using the gifts He has given me for His purpose.

8. Outside reading and writing what do you like to do?

Draw and paint, have in-depth theological discussions with my friends over coffee and cake. Now that this Picture Book is finished I want to get back into going for daily walks for my general health, then decide which of my stories will be my next book.

9. Do you have a place you love to visit or would love to visit?

I haven’t had the opportunity to travel, nor the money, so I don’t have any special place. I would love to visit lots of places. I haven’t even seen much of Australia. I think I should start any overseas holidays in New Zealand. It is only a hop, skip and a jump away.

10. If you could have a meal with 3 living people who would you choose and why?

Boy, you’re stretching me now … ummm … I would love to catch up with some of the writers I have met on several writer fb groups. I won’t name names, ‘cos there are sooo many to choose from and you are restricting me to only three.

Finally can you tell us about your latest release. Where can we buy the book and where can we find you on the web?

My new book is The Stable Mouse – A Christmas Story. It is the adaptation of the Christmas play which I wrote while teaching Religious Instruction at the turn of the century.
It tells the story of Benjamin mouse, who has to stay inside the stable because there are too many people stomping about outside. He is not happy, because nothing exciting ever happens in his stable – or so he thinks. But tonight is a night like no other and Benjamin will witness the most exciting event in the whole world: the birth of Jesus, and he will be so happy that he stayed inside to see it.

Currently you can find me on my fb Page @SusanPBranchComfyBranchBooks. My webpage is still under construction as I put it on hold to finish my new book by Christmas 2019. So keep your eye out in the near future for my  webpage susanpbranch.com

You can purchase my books Bug-a-Boo the kangaroo, and my new release The Stable Mouse – A Christmas Story by contacting me through my email comfybranchbooks@gmail.com (or directly from the link under the banner on my fb Page) or through the usual online sites e.g. Amazon, Bookbub etc. Even try to order it through your local bookshop.

Place your order before the release date 25/10/2019 for your special pre release price of $20 plus registered post.