Made It Moment: Susan Lute
The best thing about the Made It Moments forum is meeting authors and discovering their books. The second best thing is when they take the concept of a Moment, tweak it, and make it their own. Susan Lute is not the first Moment-er to seize on the idea of a series of Moments–less a Before and After, and more a, Smell each rose along the way. But her range of possibilities–from so small it involves, well, me to so big that we’re probably all dreaming of the same thing along with her–is unique. Please read on below for Susan’s list. And then tell us–what’s a tiny Moment you’ve already had? And what’s the biggest you might dream of?
Thanks Jenny, for having me here at Made It Moments. I’m not exactly sure what bar I’ve set for when I think I’ll be able to say, by god, I’ve made it! The other day, a writer friend of mine forwarded the USA TODAY’s Best Selling Books list, and when I noticed three indie books in the top thirty, I did think, if I could make it into the top thirty, I’ll have made it <g> We all have our dreams.
There are milestones, though, along the way. The first time I got that warm, fuzzy feeling, that maybe I’d done something good with my writing, I was finishing up my Bachelor’s degree at George Fox College with a writing course. At the end of the term, the instructor asked everyone in the class to bring something they’d had published and do a reading. No one would believe it now, but I was a very shy child, who grew into an equally shy adult. It’s only been in the last ten-ish years that I’ve begun to outgrow that. Anyway, I’d previously published a short story with Listen Magazine, a periodical distributed in high schools to kids, titled Jessie’s Choice. So I took the plunge and actually read it aloud to my fellow students and instructor. My voice shook. Got a few tears (I love that story). And then realized I wasn’t the only one with moist eyes. Wow! Did I do that?
That was my first Made it moment. Since then, there have been more, because the journey is full of these milestones, right? My first print published book. My first indie novel. That first fan letter for Jane’s Long March Home (the first book of my heart). Becoming a blogger. The day Jenny came to See Jane Publish, someone I didn’t know, who spontaneously sought me out to see what I was saying, and then stayed to comment (thanks for that, Jenny). And someday, hitting the USA TODAY’s Best Selling Books list in the top thirty. They’re all good moments.
The oldest child of a military family, Susan Lute traveled a lot as a kid, never going to the same school for more than one or two years. Over the years she become an ardent student of human nature, and grew to love ancient history and myth. Along the way, she acquired a fascination for the ridiculous and unusual, and she collects way too much useless information. Fortunately, that comes in handy when cooking up plots for a novel.
These days, Susan writes, writes, writes whenever she can. In between she works as a Registered Nurse, reads, watches movies, gardens, takes black-and-white photos, travels, and works at remodeling the house.
Great made it moment(s)! Always a pleasure to read, always inspiring. Thanks to both of you for bringing such wonderful encouragement. ~Janet~
Comment by Janet — November 13, 2011 @ 11:12 pm
As always, it is a great and inspiring interview. “The London Affair” looks very interesting and I will check it out.
Comment by Lisa Zhang Wharton — November 14, 2011 @ 12:04 am
I enjoy reading these moments. I find myself interested in genres that I would not have been interested in had I not read the author’s personal story here.
Comment by Connie J Jasperson — November 14, 2011 @ 12:09 am
nice interview. Lovely concept. Looking forward to reading the book.
Comment by Nancy Brophy — November 14, 2011 @ 12:38 am
Susan, I think you’re right – it’s a culmination of a lot of little “moments” that make you realize you’ve finally “made it”. So keep on piling them up and we’ll see you on that bestseller list yet!!
Comment by mountainmama — November 14, 2011 @ 6:23 am
Love this moment.
Comment by Judy — November 14, 2011 @ 7:27 am
Amazing how stories from the past plan the future. Susan, well done. Now that you are over the sweaty palms syndrome, how many talks to you give a year?
Comment by Jeff Dawson — November 14, 2011 @ 10:51 am
Thank you everyone for stopping in and for your kind encouragement. Jeff, I give two or three workshops a year, usually about the life and times of being an author in today’s changing environment
The next one is in March, ‘Storyboarding Your Career’.
Comment by Susan — November 14, 2011 @ 12:11 pm
Awesome, Susan & Jenny!
Joe
Comment by Joseph Rinaldo — November 14, 2011 @ 12:54 pm
It’s great to hear about marking the moments along your career path, Susan! Sometimes it’s the small steps that make up the journey along the publishing path, ala ‘Stop and smell the roses’.
I think authors that feel they’ve “made it” stop striving to achieve greater heights, stop learning, growing, stretching their creativity.
And if you have a chance to attend one of Susan’s ‘Storyboarding Your Career’ workshops, I highly recommend it! Due to popular demand, it’s been expanded to 1 1/2 hrs this year. It still won’t be enough time
Comment by Darla Luke — November 14, 2011 @ 1:21 pm
What I love most about your Made-It-Moments is how genuine and easy-to-relate-to they are. Your books are the same! The characters real and poignant and human. Thanks for sharing so much of yourself in your writing!!!
Comment by Wendy Warren — November 14, 2011 @ 4:54 pm
Susan: You are the master encourager. I can’t wait for Storyboarding Your Career…How do we sign up? I’ve loved all your Made It Moments, but your latest books is so exciting for all of us who have been watching your writng career. Looking forward to reading this book of your heart.
Carolyn
Comment by Carolyn and Wendy — November 14, 2011 @ 8:21 pm
Susan, I like the courage you showed when you first dared to share your work. What a thrill to realize you had touched the emotions of others. I can tell from looking at your website that you’ve moved long past that initial trepidation. Best of luck in getting onto that USA Today’s top thirty.
Comment by Elizabeth C. Main — November 14, 2011 @ 8:55 pm
Darla, I totally agree about the small moments. Life is full of them. I think it’s vastly important to mark them along the way
And thanks for the plug, Miss!
Thank you Wendy and Carolyn! W & C are Toohotmama’s. You can check out their blog @http://toohotmamas.wordpress.com/. Carolyn, ‘Storyboarding Your Career’ will be part of Rose City Romance Writers Spring Intensive for writers. I’ll be doing the workshop on March 31st, and will update my website as soon as I have more info. Also, you can sign up @http://www.rosecityromancewriters.com/.
Thank you so much Elizabeth. If we are living right, we have all come a long way
Comment by Susan — November 14, 2011 @ 11:24 pm
I can see JANE as a movie someday! Then we will all go out for huge desserts somewhere for a Made It Moment
Meanwhile, we’re cheering you on every step of the way!
Comment by Jessa Slade — November 15, 2011 @ 3:12 am
Jessa
I will sooo be there! Thank you so much 
Comment by Susan — November 17, 2011 @ 10:49 pm