S.S. Lange: My most recent book is Almost Found, which is the third book in the Charlotte Hayes series. It picks up right after Charlotte, the main character, has a major bomb dropped on her by another character and follows her through the resulting fallout and ongoing threats from a crime family that has been after her for quite a while.
JET: What drew you to suspense?
S.S. Lange: I’ve always loved a good mystery and cliff-hangers, anything that makes me keep turning the pages. Getting to the end of a chapter with the feeling of “I can’t stop here… just one more” is one of my favorite things. When I finally convinced myself to sit down and really write something, I wanted to write what I enjoy reading, and hopefully create that experience for others.
JET: What’s been your most challenging hurdle on the road to publication?
S.S. Lange: My biggest hurdle was my own insecurity. Sending off my manuscript to be read by someone else for the first time was absolutely terrifying (and even as I start in on my fourth novel, it’s still pretty terrifying).
JET: What was your favorite moment in the journey?
S.S. Lange: When the first person to finish the book once it was published told me they stayed up until 4a.m.
JET: Which authors had the most influence over you growing up?
S.S. Lange: Tough question! I read almost anything I could get my hands on. Some of the authors I still go back to include Lois Lowry, Mitch Albom, S.E. Hinton, and of course I can’t wait to revisit Laura Ingalls Wilder with my daughters.
JET: When did you know you wanted to take the plunge into the writing world?
S.S. Lange: I’m sure this is cliché, but I’ve always known. Before bucket lists were even a mainstream thing, one of my life goals – in the back of a journal from third grade – was to be published. I’ve been writing as long as I can remember – poems, short stories, terrible attempts at song lyrics at first. I think the longest story I wrote prior to Long Lost was maybe thirty pages? Something clicked one day though and LongLost started to come together and before I knew it I had an actual completed novel.
JET: What’s the craziest thing you’ve done in the name of book research? Most interesting fact you uncovered?
S.S. Lange: My Google history could probably get me arrested, but nothing to crazy (yet).
JET: Of all the novels and stories you’ve written - which one is your favorite? Why?
S.S. Lange: They’re a bit like my children so it’s hard to pick favorites, but so far Blood is Thicker is definitely my favorite. I had so much fun writing it and it completely took on a life of it’s own, which if you’ve never had happen, is a very cool experience. I think each one becomes a new favorite though as I face different challenges and learn more about myself and my process.
JET: Any advice (from a writer’s standpoint) for the novices out there?
S.S. Lange: Just do it. And keep doing it. Stay up far too late when you’re in the zone and just keep writing. And don’t let your nerves keep you from putting yourself (and your work) out there.
JET: All right - now
that I’ve hammered you with the big questions, let’s tackle my favorite (and
geeky) quick ten... starting with: Steak or Tofu?
S.S.
Lange: Steak
JET: Beach or
Mountains?
S.S.
Lange: Mountains
JET: Country or
Rock-n-Roll?
S.S.
Lange: Country
JET: Coffee or Tea?
S.S.
Lange: Coffee
JET: Salty or Sweet?
S.S.
Lange: Sweet
JET: Cat or Dog?
S.S.
Lange: Dog
JET: Audio books or E-books?
S.S.
Lange: E-books
JET: Kick-ass name-taker or Scream for help?
S.S.
Lange: Kick-ass name-taker
JET: Sword wielding ninja or Gun toting momma?
S.S.
Lange: Gun toting momma
JET: Star Trek or Star Wars?
S.S.
Lange: Star Wars
JET: Thank you for indulging me. Before we wrap this up, can you tell us what you're working on now? What's next?
S.S. Lange: Now that Almost Found is out, I’m plugging away on the next in The Charlotte Hayes Series. It’s still early so I don’t have much to say about it yet, but I’ve got big plans for this one. I’m also working on something completely new that’s more in the young adult genre with some supernatural and dystopian elements.
JET: Thank you so much for taking the time to chat on my blog. Folks, you can find out
more about S.S. Lange and his/her work at the following places:
Until next time,
Ciao.
JET
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