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WORD on Suzana Norberg

Suzana Norberg's time on stage as a comedic actress was obvious (in a not so obvious way) to me, a fellow stand-up comedienne, when she gave voice and depth to the people in her memoir at the Open Air Literary Salon. I had the great opportunity to toss a few questions her way and catch some great answers back.

WORD - What did you want to be when you grew up? What do you want to be now?

Suzana Norberg - A comedic actress with my own variety show like Carol Burnett. Now, a comedic actress (variety show not required) and published author.

WORD - What are your goals and dreams as a writer? Are you inspired to strive for those goals through your association with Ink members?

Suzana Norberg - I'd like to make a living writing my stuff vs. others people's stuff (I'm an ad copywriter). Absolutely I'm inspired by my fellow Ink members. Hearing the great 3-minute stories at Dime Stories Live always drives me to come up with something worthy. Also, eight of us get together every month for dinner and prompt writing, and it's always magical. We're in all different stages of the writing/publication process, so we learn from each other and celebrate each other's successes.

WORD - Do you consider yourself a writer now?

Suzana Norberg - I'm an advertising copywriter by day, so in that regard I've always been a writer. And now that I finished a book, I guess I'm that kind of writer too.

WORD - What Ink workshops, classes or events have you participated in?

Suzana Norberg - I try to read at Dime Stories Live (at The Grove) every month (first Friday) and I took a workshop on how to write a query letter, which was super helpful. And I always enjoy the book launch/author interviews. When I have more time, I'd like to take a screenplay writing class.

WORD - As a transplant from elsewhere, can you tell our readers how the active writing community here in Paradise helps your writing?

Suzana Norberg - I hadn't explored Milwaukee's writing community before I left, so I can't make a comparison there, but not having to slog through sub-zero weather makes it easier to pursue anything in San Diego. And certainly a great class is invaluable to becoming a better writer. I can't recommend highly enough Tom Larson's memoir writing class at UCSD. But whether or not you're in paradise, it's always motivating to be surrounded by people who have the same goals and interests.

WORD - What advice would you give aspiring writers?

Suzana Norberg - Take a class in whatever genre interests you, and learn the classic traps so you can avoid them. If I hadn't taken Tom's class on memoir, I would have just chronicled events versus including how I felt about those events. And there's nothing like a deadline to make you (i.e. me) write. Also, writing a book can seem overwhelming, but if you give yourself a goal like a page a day, it's much less frightening. And of course it helps to read a lot of good writing.

WORD - When will your work be ready for publication?

Suzana Norberg - I'm sending my second wave of query letters soon. Hopefully that will net me an agent.

WORD - Would you be interested in trying your writing hand at other projects, such as poetry or fiction?

Suzana Norberg - Absolutely. Fiction more so than poetry. I love Roald Dahl's twisted short stories and would like to write my own. Between my childhood and my collection of overheard conversations, I have plenty of twist fodder.

WORD - What is your earliest memory?

Suzana Norberg - Watching JFK's funeral on TV and crying, not because I knew who he was, but because my mother was crying. I was not quite two years old.

WORD - What are your favorite San Diego writers hang-outs? Favorite on-line writing sites?

Suzana Norberg - I write at home on my couch, with my dog and two cats draped over me. If I try to write in a coffee shop or some other public place, I get too distracted, start watching people and adding to my collection of overheard conversations.

I'm always challenged for time, so the only thing I read online is Shouts & Murmurs at www.newyorker.com.

Good questions. I never thought about many of these things.

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