My answer above pretty much nails it. I write about certain topics and have specific characters for reasons. If I was forced to change things, it really wouldn’t be my work anymore. It would be like doing a class assignment.
Sue Rovens – 23 February 2018
The Back Flap
After a catastrophic railway accident leaves a trail of carnage and devastation in its wake, the small train station in Rain, Germany is shuttered.
Six months later, Gary and Grace Wolf, returning home after their belated honeymoon, find themselves trapped inside the now defunct terminal. What they discover within its walls leads them to make harrowing decisions. What they learn about each other pushes them to the brink of disaster.
Back in Bloomington, Illinois, their best friends, Mike and Sarah Waverly, await their return. A few hours before the plane is scheduled to land, Mike becomes tormented by troubling premonitions concerning Gary and Grace. Driven to find out the truth, Mike finds himself battling mysterious and inexplicable obstacles that plunge him into his own personal hell.
Everyone’s fate hangs in a precarious balance as the clock runs out.
About the book
What is the book about?
Track 9 revolves around two couples each fighting their own personal battles. One of the couples, Gary and Grace, are on their way home from a belated honeymoon in Germany. When they get stranded in a haunted train station, the demons they face start piling up faster than they can handle. Meanwhile, as their best friends at home in Bloomington, Illinois, are waiting for them to return, Mike (the husband) begins to have his own terrifying revelations.
It’s part suspense, part horror, part psychological thriller.
When did you start writing the book?
I wrote the first draft during NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) in November 2015. I finished it in 2017.
How long did it take you to write it?
About two years.
Where did you get the idea from?
Years back, I had gone to Germany for 8 days. I was stunned by the size of the train stations (in comparison to the ones I had seen here in Illinois). They were so enormous! I wanted to write something revolving around a haunted train station where people were trapped. Track 9 was born out of that premise.
Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?
Funny you should ask. The first draft was basically overhauled. I used probably less than 5% of the original story when I started re-writing. I did have a tough time with one of the characters – Mike. He was a bit of a problem. I wasn’t sure what his story arc should be and how it would fit together with the rest of the story. When something like that happens, I go away from the book for a while. I think it took about a month to finally figure out what should happen. That’s also the great thing about being an indie – my story and my schedule. No deadlines.
What came easily?
Writing doesn’t really come easy. Some ideas or plotlines come easier than others, but writing in and of itself is never an easy process.
Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?
There’s always a bit of people I know in my characters. Sometimes, it’s a conglomerate of a few people.
We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?
Of course. When I read Stephen King’s Salem’s Lot (when I was 16), I knew then and there that I wanted to write like that. I didn’t plan on writing suspense/horror/thriller until later, but I loved the way he could tell a story. Jack Ketchum is another. I love how he pushes the boundaries. I try to emulate that in my writing – going places that are uncomfortable and not easily talked about. That, to me, is fascinating.
Do you have a target reader?
Anyone who is willing to give my stories a chance. I know that really isn’t a “demographic”, per se, but it’s hard to pinpoint who is going to enjoy what. I wouldn’t suggest my stuff for kids, but anyone else is fair game.
About Writing
Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?
I don’t have a specific process. However, my two novels (Badfish and Track 9) have come from drafts off of NaNoWriMo. My third novel, with its working title, Buried, has recently erupted during this past November’s NaNo. I’ll start revising and reworking it later this year.
Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?
Not really. I might jot down a few ideas and characters, but I’m pretty much a write-by-the-seat-of-my-pants person.
Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?
I edit and rewrite a LOT. But I wait until the entire draft is done.
Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?
Nope. I need dead silence when writing. Dead. . . silence. . .
About Publishing
Did you submit your work to Agents?
I did at first. But the more I read about how they expect you to change your stuff really turned me off. I mean, if someone came along and LOVED what I wrote and wanted to represent me, I would certainly look into it. But I don’t want to HAVE to change my characters and storyline because someone thinks a different trend might sell.
What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?
My answer above pretty much nails it. I write about certain topics and have specific characters for reasons. If I was forced to change things, it really wouldn’t be my work anymore. It would be like doing a class assignment. Plus, unless you’re very famous, most publishers/agents aren’t going to spend a lot of time pushing your work. They expect YOU to market yourself – which I can do as an indie.
Sure, they want to get paid, but when it’s all said and done, other people end up profiting off of the author’s sales more than the writers themselves. (again, unless you’re famous or have some kind of inside track)
Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?
I went through Create Space, so I told them what I was looking for and they helped create that image.
Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?
I’m trying anything and everything I can think of! Any ideas, send ‘em my way!
Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?
Write what you enjoy. Don’t write in hopes of selling toward a trend because you can’t predict what people are going to like (or not like).
About You
What would you like readers to know about you?
If you like to take chances and are willing to go on a bit of a wild-ride, I would strongly suggest that your readers take a chance on my work. I have two novels out (Badfish and Track 9) and two short story collections (In a Corner, Darkly: Volumes 1 and 2. Volume 2 has been completely revised and comes with a purple/blue cover – some really great stories in there) available. I also run a pretty active blog. In my Meet & Greet section, I interview OTHER authors of all genres and levels – the most notable being Jack Ketchum. You can find my blog at suerovens.com.
What are you working on now?
At this moment, I am just doing work on the blog. But, I have a few ideas for some short stories I may toss around and try to get out there.
End of Interview:
For more from Sue visit her blog.
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