Q&A with author Lorna Suzuki

A warm welcome to fantasy author Lorna Suzuki who has had her first three books optioned for a major motion picture trilogy! Congratulations, Lorna!!

Name one book that made you think 'wow'? Why did it have such an effect on you?
I’m ashamed to admit I’ve never read J.R.R. Tolkien’s works, but because his LoTR trilogy was made into movies and it continues to be read all around the world, it proved just how ageless and timeless the fantasy genre is. The fact his novels are still so popular after all these years inspired me to make my first attempt at fiction writing in the epic fantasy genre, creating the Imago series for my daughter when she grows up. One day, when time allows it, I hope to read Tolkien’s novels as I’ve had some fans make a comparison of our works.

Who is your favourite author and why?
One of my favourite contemporary authors is the fabulous, multi-talented Kim Falconer of the Quantum Enchantment series. She has so much wisdom and knowledge on so many levels and in so many areas. All this shines through in her works, making her stories very fascinating, intelligent fantasies well worth the read.

What is your all-time favourite book cover?
There are so many, I can’t decide! Surprisingly, some of my faves are book covers were written & published by indie authors or small publishing houses! Check out Angeline Kace’s ‘Descended by Blood’, Hope Collier’s ‘The Willows: Haven’ and Dean Lappi’s ‘Black Numbers’. To me, these covers are as good, if not better, than those put out by the big traditional publishing companies!

If you could have a dinner party with any authors from any time in history, who would you choose and why?
J.K. Rowling! It would be fascinating to chat with her to understand her creative process and to find out what she would change now, if she could.

Who, or what, inspires you?
My daughter is a huge source of inspiration and there are also my fans that keep asking for the next adventure. They keep me writing, but after I finish this 12th novel, I plan to retire my fiction-writing career. (Mind you, I did tell myself I’d only write three novels in the Imago series, until the fans kept demanding more…)

Where is your favourite place to write?
My favourite place to write is on a white sandy, tropical beach, but for now, I like writing in my bright, sunny (whenever the sun comes out) kitchen.

What is your latest book about? 

My latest book is a new YA Fantasy, The Magic Crystal. It is Book One of The Dream Merchant Saga and reviewers have said it’s like Ella Enchanted meets the Princess Bride. This is the description on the book cover:
Be careful what you wish for
takes on a whole new meaning…
When a good wish goes bad, a beautiful princess despised by all, a lowly court jester who was meant to be a great knight and a village idiot with a mysterious past are thrust together by fate. Made to embark on a perilous and unorthodox quest, they set off to break a dreaded curse.
Along the way, a series of trials await them in strange lands far from home. From a powerful Wizard and a shape-shifting Sprite to the flamboyant Elves and an army of mimes, they encounter an array of unforgettable friends and foes as they set off to recover a silver locket to destroy the curse.
In a race against time, pursued by a Sorcerer on the hunt for this same locket, an epic journey becomes a trying, humorous adventure of self-discovery and a test of true loyalty and friendship for this unlikely trio as they fight to survive this quest and ultimately, each other.
It’s sequel, Book Two The Silver Sword will be released on Oct. 22nd, 2011 during the Book Fair hosted by the Surrey International Writers Conference.

If your book was made into a film, who would you like to play the main characters? 

Strangely enough, the first three novels in my epic adult fantasy have been optioned for a major motion picture trilogy. It’s in the pre-production stage at the moment and the producer had already asked me to submit a list of the principles characters and the actors I envision in the various roles. This is not so much that the producer will be hiring them, but more so the casting director can narrow down the look, age, etc. of the actors for the roles. Plus, she’s trying to keep with my vision of the story and characters.

What is your favourite film that was based on a book?
One of my favourite films is Peter Jackson’s telling of Tolkien’s LoTR trilogy. I loved the movies, but because I never read the books, a friend who is an avid Tolkien fan laughed at me when we discussed the movies/books. Apparently, Jackson took certain artistic license I wasn’t aware of! I didn’t know Arwen had brothers who came to the rescue at Helm’s Deep, nor did I know Jackson merely created the Elf character Haldir, who marched the legion of Elves for this big confrontation!

Tell us a random fact about yourself.
I used to teach martial arts in an all male dojo, some of my students included members of the RCMP! So yes, I’m so vertically challenged it’s laughable, but in the dojo, I can hold my own. After over 25 years of training/teaching, I’ve pretty much retired now and my daughter is my only pupil.

Tell us something interesting about the area where you live.
It’s often referred to as Hollywood North as TV series like ‘Supernatural’, ‘Sanctuary’, ‘Stargate’ series to name a few and major motion pictures like the ‘X-Men’, ‘Twilight’ series, ‘Rise of the Planet of the Apes’, the newest Superman movie and more are filmed in my neck of the woods. This comes in handy, as most of my book/movie trilogy will be filmed here, too!

Winter or summer? Neither! More like Fall & spring!
Ebook or paperback? Though my ebooks outsell my print books, I personally enjoy the feel of a book in my hands.
Favourite food? Fave food is medium-rare steak served with rice pilaf & grilled veggies, but favorite indulges is chocolate truffles.
Sporty or couch potato? I teach martial arts so I’m not a couch potato, but I’m certainly not sporty.
Cook or be cooked for? Depends on who is cooking!

Link to your website, blog or both: http://web.me.com/imagobooks
There is also the Imago Fantasy Series FB Fan Page where movie updates will be posted.