Welcome, Sue Rovens! Sue was here last year with her thriller novel, Badfish, and returns this year with her newest thriller, Track 9.
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.
What’s the best horror/thriller movie you’ve seen this year so far?
I would be hard pressed to think of a better horror movie (granted, it’s only August as I write this, so who knows what’s to come yet in 2017), than “Get Out”. Not only does it have great writing, believable characters, and no real reliance on the genre’s much-overdone jump scares, but it delves into issues/topics that push some of society’s boundaries. The presentation of race relations and the confrontations of stereotypical behaviors are beyond amazing – they are needed.
Not only does it make the viewer (in some cases) uncomfortable, but it adds a strong element of what is REALLY happening in our world today. It’s not done in a cartoon-ish or over-the-top way. It’s subtle. It’s underlying. And sometimes, it’s blatant and in-your-face.
Plus, the horrific aspects of the movie are spot-on. I would say, overall, it’s more of a thriller than straight up horror, but it’s close enough to that line for me. I would absolutely recommend seeing “Get Out” if you want a horror/thriller movie that’s intelligent, timely, and will make you think about it long after the credits roll.
Favorite Halloween candy?
This is kind of a two-parter. I always LOVED getting Reese’s. Oh, and Butterfingers. Loved ‘em. Still do.
Having said that, my favorite Halloween candy is actually anything “retro” or “old school”. It’s not so much the flavors or the taste, but the nostalgia it brings. Seeing Dots, Red Hots, Mary Janes, Razzles, Good n’ Plenty, Candy Corn, BB Bat Suckers, and the dreaded tubes of Neccos sends me right back to the late 60s/early 70s.
If you could go back in time, where would you go and what would you do?
It’s a tough question. I’m assuming, for the sake of this ‘interview’, that I would be going back as an adult and at the age I am now.
So, with that in mind, I’d go back to the 1920s. That way, I could see my parents grow up, meet a lot of family members who had already passed away by the time I was born (’64), and get to know the ones who I never had a chance to talk to as an adult. Also, the 30s, and 40s were such an interesting time for so many other reasons – architecture, music, radio. Again – old school stuff! (I’m sensing a theme here…)
What are you working on now?
At this time, I am revising In a Corner, Darkly: Volume 2. Back in 2013, when I first released it, I rushed through it. It wasn’t my best work. I was still new to the whole writing/publishing/indie world and I hurried through the process. So, I’m going back through every story, making them better, taking out ones that didn’t work, and adding a few new ones in.
My hope is to be finished by the end of 2017 (or earlier, if the timing works out) and have it available in time for the holidays.
When you finish a book, do you take time off or jump into another project?
I have to take time off, especially if it’s a novel. I might work on some short stories, but after completing such an involved and time-consuming project like an entire book, I find that I need to focus on marketing for a little while and give my mind a break from the writing aspect.
I can’t force myself to sit down in front of the computer and be creative. It’s there or it’s not. I think that happened with Volume 2 (the first time). I felt like I HAD to create. That’s what other people do, right?
For me, it doesn’t work that way. My writing is much better when it’s organic and spontaneous, not scheduled and forced. That’s one of the great things about being an indie writer.
If you could change one thing about your writing career, what would it be?
The most obvious answer would be “to hit it big”. But, if I’m being realistic, I would love to be able to make a reasonable living with my writing. Not on the level of J.K.Rowling or Stephen King, but enough so if someone asked me what I did for a living, I could say “I’m a writer – that’s how I pay my bills”.
That would be ideal.
Author Bio
Sue Rovens is a suspense/horror indie author who is an active member of the Chicago Writers Association. Her two novels, Badfish and Track 9, are available in both paperback and Kindle formats. A third novel is being processed in her head…with the hope that this year’s NaNoWriMo (2017) will see the first draft of this tale.
When not writing, Sue collects antique advertising, clocks and radios, watching movies, reading, and cheese. She also runs, slowly. Geese have been known to out-lap her.
Social Media
Blog: https://suerovens.com/
Email: srovens@yahoo.com
Buy Links
To purchase Badfish, Track 9, and/or In a Corner, Darkly: Volume 1 (available in paperback AND Kindle):
Teri, Bad Moon Rising is off to a howling-good start. Sue’s book sounds deliciously intense. I enjoyed the interview too. Hugs!
LikeLiked by 1 person
So that’s what the howling was all about. Hugs, Teagan!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Maybe… “There are nights when the wolves are silent and only the moon howls.” – George Carlin –
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good answers, Sue. Thanks, Teri. Two for two.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, John!
LikeLiked by 1 person
We have the same taste in candy bars, and I’ve been meaning to see GET OUT. Fun interview, Sue!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Then we all have excellent taste in candy, Sue. I saw get out a couple of months ago – definitely one of the better horror/thriller movies out there.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I loved Razzles and Zots! Great interview.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Those I’m not familiar with. Thanks for stopping by, Jill!
LikeLiked by 1 person
They were hard candy with a fizz in the middle. Who knows what type of chemicals they used…LOL!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s something to think about – or maybe you shouldn’t dwell on it too long.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pingback: Bloggy Updates – Updated 10/2 – Sue Rovens
The book sounds intriguing (and there’s something I really like about that cover…can’t put my finger on it – just…I’d grab it in a book store). Yes! Nostalgic Halloween candy is the best. I can’t stand Candy Corn but love seeing it every year. 🎃
LikeLiked by 1 person
Funny you said that about the cover – I started to comment on it this morning before posting. We’re sympatico on the candy corn – like seeing it, not eating it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks! It was a fun interview. A BIG JUICY shout out to Teri for doing this! Thank YOU!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re very welcome, Sue!
LikeLike
Loved the candy answer. All those retro treats brought back so many memories. I completely agree—it’s not about the taste but the nostalgia.
Track 9 sounds intriguing, and that’s a great, bold cover.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I think majority rules on that eye-catching cover, Mae.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great intro to Sue and her book. The read sounds intense! I’m all for candy corn too. And I have to eat them one color layer at a time for some reason. Lovely Halloween themed interview, Teri and Sue. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Diana! I always try to buy Halloween candy I know I won’t eat – so nothing chocolate or peanut butter. Candy corn is always safe in my house.
LikeLiked by 1 person