In the Booth with Ruth – Suzan Collins, Author

What’s your writing background? When did you begin writing and what inspired you?

At our recent authors’ meeting the subject came up on when we started writing. I was a late writer. During my career in the health and social care sector, I wrote many reports for work and many essays and assignments for the different courses and qualifications I completed.

I used to manage care homes and during that time, I recognised there was a gap in the training delivered and that information was needed for my staff team, so I wrote some open learning workbooks to fill these gaps. Since then, I’ve had six open learning workbooks published.

How often do you write? And how do you manage to fit in writing among other commitments?

Like many other writers, I think about what I need to write often, but I’m not always able to write when I want to. I write better under pressure, so I tend to do a lot of thinking and my writing is done at the last minute.

In which genre do you most enjoy writing?

That’s a difficult one… I enjoyed writing the open learning workbooks as I knew it would help the staff team progress with their knowledge and skills. My latest book, which has just been released ‘Beyond My Control: Why The Health and Social Care System Need Not Have Failed My Mother‘ was difficult to write as it’s a true account of how my late mum suffered. After something that heavy, it’s great to be writing rom-com as it lets my mind wander.

What draws you to write in that genre?

I write non-fiction to pass on information, and fiction as it allows me to be imaginative and create stories.

Can you tell me about your current project(s)?

I have just finished writing some new open learning workbooks and am now in discussions on whether they should go into one book called ‘Handbook for Health and Social Care Staff’. Currently, I am writing a sequel to my rom-com novel ‘On The Rails‘.

What are your writing plans for the future?

I don’t have a plan for writing; I just write what I want to write and when I want to.

Where can people find out more about you?

My website, my Facebook author page, my Facebook business page, Twitter and my blog. My books can be found on Amazon UK, Amazon US, Waterstones and Eddington Hook.