Susan McBride is an author, breast cancer survivor and “accidental cougar”. Her latest novel COUGAR CLUB is a hit with readers and we are excited that she could take some time out to chat with Beauty and Lace:
Tell us a little bit about your writing background.
I’ve loved books since I was a kid, and I was a voracious reader before I tried my hand at writing. My mom keeps digging up stories I wrote in grade school, and I have three books I composed in fifth grade stored in a box in my basement. My first attempt at adult fiction came when I was 19 and taking some time away from college between transferring schools.
I wrote a 600+ page historical romance called THE THORN OF THE ROSE, which I sent out to a handful of agents and editors. I got really encouraging letters in response (including several wanting me to revise and resubmit). I never sold that manuscript, but it was enough to make me realize that was what I wanted to do with my life, no matter how long it took to get published. And it took awhile! It took 10 years and as many manuscripts after I got my B.S. in Journalism from the University of Kansas before I signed my first contract with a small press.
After two books with them, I signed with HarperCollins/Avon to do a humorous mystery series starting with BLUE BLOOD in 2004. I wrote five in that Debutante Dropout series and then three young adult non-mystery novels for Random House. Then my HarperCollins editor asked if I’d consider doing a novel about Cougars (since I married a younger guy!). That’s how THE COUGAR CLUB was born, and it was a blast!
What is your latest novel, Cougar Club all about?
Initially, it was about women who actively chase younger men, kind of the stereotypical Cougar thing. But that felt cheesy and very superficial. I’m an “accidental Cougar,” as my younger hubby chased me, and I think that’s more and more common these days. So I rewrote COUGAR with the focus on three childhood pals—Kat, a former ad exec; Carla, a St. Louis TV anchorwoman; and Elise, a married dermatologist—who’ve had a lot of success in their lives, but have hit mid-life bumps in the road and come back together to support each other in their pursuit of happiness.
The theme of Girl Power is at the heart of the book, as well as the message that it’s never too late to find your passion. The fact that these women are involved with younger men is secondary. So Kat, Carla, and Elise are the unofficial “Cougar Club” in the title. I tried to inject a lot of humor in their stories as well as commonalities that all women face as we age. THE COUGAR CLUB was selected by Target stores here in the US as a “Bookmarked Breakout” Title and has been on their recommended reads shelves for six months, which is very cool.
Where do you get your inspiration?
Oh, gosh, it comes from everywhere! I get ideas from conversations with friends, eavesdropping in airports, stories in the newspaper, dreams, and doing a lot of pondering as to “what if this happened instead of that.” I never know when inspiration will strike so I keep notebooks in my purse, on my desk, and at my bedside.
I sometimes have amazing thoughts when I first wake up in the morning or in the middle of the night. My husband has gotten used to my crawling out of bed at 4 a.m. to write something down. He calls me “Crazy Brain,” which I take as a compliment.
You are a breast cancer survivor, how has the experience changed you?
It’s funny that you asked this, because I’ve been thinking about it a lot lately. It was a rather rude awakening in many respects. I’d neglected myself for so long because I always took care of everyone around me, made sure other people were happy, and didn’t offer myself much time to relax and reflect. Once I was diagnosed, I had no choice but to focus on my body and spirit.
My priorities changed in other ways, too. I got rid of a lot of responsibilities that ate up time and caused anxiety. I’ve tried very hard to weed toxic people out of my life. I only want positive people around me, not the kind who suck the energy from a room. I’m even more thankful for what I have, like a great husband, amazing friends, and a job I truly love. I don’t know what I would’ve done without my writing during my recovery. I had two books due, and it was lovely to be able to escape from reality for hours each day and slip into another world. Writing was a total blessing!
Have you always wanted to be a writer?
I didn’t consciously decide “I will be a writer” until I was 19 and wrote that historical novel. Then I knew for certain. Before that, I toyed with the idea of becoming a teacher or a lawyer because I loved school and I loved to argue!
Do you have any advice for those wanting to become a published author?
Do read as much as possible in a variety of genres so you get a taste of what’s out there. Write as often as possible, whether you’re jotting down thoughts in a journal, blogging, or trying your hand at short stories. Don’t feel like you have to be perfect, just let it flow (you can always polish later!).
Go to bookstores and libraries and hear authors speak, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Don’t get frustrated if your first or second manuscript doesn’t sell. Writing is like any other profession where the more you practice, the better and more confident you get. In fact, I think it’s sometimes better not to sell fast. It affords you the chance to try different points of view and different genres. Creating books isn’t like making fast food. Good ideas need time to simmer.
Do you choose your own book covers, and if so, how do you decide?
I wish I could pick my own covers! Nope, the art wizards at my publishers are responsible for all my book covers. Sometimes I’m asked for input, but that doesn’t mean any of my suggestions are used. If I think a cover is really bad, my agents will talk with my editor.
THE COUGAR CLUB went through about five incarnations before the final one, which I really like. We’ll see what they do with LITTLE BLACK DRESS, my next women’s fiction book with HarperCollins that I’m working on now. I can’t wait to see what they come up with!
How long does it take you to write a book?
I’ve been really crazed with deadlines the past five years in particular because I was writing the Debutante Dropout Mysteries for Avon while starting The Debs young adult non-mystery series for Random House. So with eight book schedules overlapping, I often had only three months to do a first draft.
It was that way with THE COUGAR CLUB, too, as I had to turn in my third YA novel (which is in publishing limbo right now) and then get COUGAR in three months after that. Oy. Sometimes I felt like my brain was going to crash, but luckily that didn’t happen.
What’s next for Susan McBride?
I’ve just signed with HarperCollins for two more women’s fiction books, the first of those being LITTLE BLACK DRESS, about two sisters, a daughter, and a magical little black dress with the power to change the course of all their lives. I’m not sure what the second book will be about, perhaps a follow-up to THE COUGAR CLUB. We shall see!
What does being a woman mean to you?
Wow, I could go on for days, I think! Being a woman means freedom to me. I was fortunate to grow up at a time when mothers were encouraging daughters to be anything they wanted to be. So I have friends who are doctors, lawyers, moms, teachers, librarians, engineers, and I’m doing something I’m incredibly passionate about as well. I’m all for Girl Power and women supporting other women, as I’ve been around too many females who think getting ahead means tearing each other down.
We have to get over that if we’re ever going to take over the world! I love being a woman over forty, especially. I feel like the most meaningful and emotional events in my life have happened since my fortieth birthday. I’m all about living every day to the fullest, and I encourage every woman out there to do the same. Passionate people are never boring, that’s for sure!
Thanks so much for having me on Beauty and Lace!
Beauty and Lace is an online magazine for women. We hope you enjoyed this article!