SUZETTE'S FAVORITES THINGS



ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Describe a typical day for Suzette:

I’m an early riser and am typically up by or before 6:00 am. However, back in my 9-to-5 days I’d get up as early as 4:00 am when writing under a deadline. Now, my typical day consists of prayer and quiet time with Spirit, a trip to the gym, walking Sophie (our Maltipoo), and then breakfast. I’ve been trying my hand at meal prepping so that I don’t have to think about what’s for breakfast or lunch. It really makes a difference in my day. Now, if I can just meal prep on a regular basis.


After breakfast, it’s all the necessary life things like cleaning, household business, or laundry. And of course, I make time for writing. Daily! Whether I’m writing, editing, or reading a work in progress I touch my writing every day to honor my process and creativity.


I’m also a certified Pastry & Baking chef, so there are days you may find me baking for a customer or myself.

I take care of business, book or baking related, during the day and typically wrap everything up by 5:00 pm so hubby and I can have dinner by 6:00. My husband and I trade off dinner duties so that we each get a break from cooking every other evening. After dinner it’s time to relax sharing our preferred TV shows. Or sometimes I simply read.


Being an early riser, conversely, my bedtime is early. My family laughs at me and the fact that I’m rarely up past 9:00 pm. But, hey! Being an early bird works for me. I have no complaints.


What do you enjoy most about being a writer?

I love delving into my imagination and feeling connected to divine creation. The nosey one in me delights in diving into my characters’ business and discovering all that I can about them. I especially love when my characters or story takes me somewhere I didn’t anticipate or foresee. Bringing a story from nothing to something is both thrilling and humbling.


Another aspect of being an author that I absolutely enjoy is making connections with my audience. I love having book discussions with book clubs and others in the book industry. It never fails that I learn something about my stories that didn’t dawn on me by listening to and honoring the perspectives of other readers. I’ve been blessed to build beautiful, lasting friendships and sisterhood centered around books. For me, that is the hidden gem of this writing journey.


What, to you, is the most difficult part of the writing process?

Often times it’s difficult to sit in solitude with myself and stay on track. Writing is an isolated craft and it’s easy for me to mentally “wander off into the bushes” with no one peeking over my shoulder or monitoring my progress. I don’t always hit my daily writing goals or metrics, and there are moments when I’d rather be doing something else. Especially when I’m mentally, emotionally, or physically exhausted. That’s when I become unfocused and develop what feels like situational bouts of ADHD and wander deeper into the weeds. In full transparency, I don’t always “feel” inspired despite the need to produce. Those uninspired moments can be difficult and discouraging.


I suppose all of this speaks to my need as a writer for self-discipline and accountability. But it also clues me to my need for rest despite deadlines and expectations. That’s when I have to strike a balance and determine if I’m avoiding the work for whatever my reasons, or if I truly need an internal reset. When it’s the latter, I shut down writing for the day and show myself grace. I believe in diligence, not self-depletion.


What do you enjoy doing when you are not writing?

I was an avid reader before I was a writer, so I truly enjoy relaxing with a good book and a blanket. I’m a certified Pastry & Baking chef and love baking for family and my community. I recently decided to resume my baking as a business so that will utilize more of my energy in these upcoming days. I also love crafting and making pretty, glittery things.


What is the best book you have read so far in 2026?

Tananarive Due’s THE REFORMATORY! I love African American historical fiction. Especially when elements of spiritually are incorporated. What I didn’t know, but am discovering about myself, is that I also enjoy mysteries and thrillers. THE REFORMATORY had it all. Historical fiction. Fast pace. Thrills. Mystery. And supernatural overtones. It was so vividly written that I could imagine the scenes as if a movie on the big screen.


ALL ABOUT THE BOOKS


Tell us a bit about WITH HER BABY ON HER BACK.

WITH HER BABY ON HER BACK is my newest release coming July 13. And it’s book number 15 for me! It’s a dual timeline exploring themes of freedom, family, and female empowerment. Equally rich is the fact that my historical heroine, Zinnie, is inspired by a real person, Bridget “Biddy” Mason (1818-1891). Like Miss Biddy, Zinnie is an enslaved woman forced to walk thousands of miles from the southern U.S. to “out west” when her enslavers migrate for their religious freedom. It’s a harrowing journey made even more so by the fact that Zinnie has three small children. Her fortitude and endurance greatly impact her family, even generations later when we meet the contemporary heroine, Lynette Stanford—a single mother navigating life with an eleven-year-old son who is neurodivergent. WITH HER BABY ON HER BACK is a story of Black women rising despite the vagaries of life and lovingly uplifting others in the process.


As providence would have it, I wrote this story in a migratory time in my own life. I recently relocated from “out west” to down south. The irony wasn’t lost on me that I was doing a reverse of Zinnie’s (and Ms. Biddy’s) journey. It was a geographical flip-flop, and I remember pondering and admiring their courage as I made my way from the west to the southern United States. Unlike theirs, my voyage was of my own free-will, voluntary. That knowledge was (and is) humbling. Empowering.


If you had to recommend a book that best embodies you as the author, which of your books would it be?

TAFFY! Without hesitation. TAFFY was my first African American historical novel, and she took me on a journey that was deeply personal.


Glimmers of TAFFY came to me on the heels of my sophomore book. My editor at the time thought it best to continue with my contemporary novels because I was a new author establishing herself with her audience. But TAFFY would not leave me. She kept coming around, inserting herself in my imagination and curiosity. When my book contract was rescinded due to the country’s economic crisis and recession, I was suddenly a free agent which in turn gave me freedom to discover more about this Taffy character relentlessly hovering about the edges of my imagination.


Writing and self-publishing her story was one of the boldness moves I’ve ever made. Like Taffy Bledsoe, I had to embody strength, endurance, even defiance to bring her book to life. It taught me much about myself and remains one of my most cherished accomplishments.


I read this quote on your website and loved it: “…who loves creating flawed characters and storylines with intricate layers, depth, and unexpected plot twists…” What are those characteristics so important to you?


I’m an imperfect person created by a perfect Creator. I don’t want to read about flawless people with flawless lives. That’s boring and I can’t relate to that kind of experience. I prefer growth and character development. Show me the shadows, the doubts, the hopes and humanity of a character. Their uncertainties as well as their triumphs. I like layers and depth, not surface level living. The deep places are relatable. And empowering. Perfection isn’t. Life isn’t one note. It’s a symphony with all of its dissonant notes and chaotic harmonies.


As an author, I try to give my readers those same experiences of growth and becoming in my writing. And I love it when a story I’m writing takes a sudden twist that I didn’t plan or anticipate. Or when my characters take over and do something unexpected that leaves my mouth hanging open. Such instances remind me that I’m a conduit connected to a larger source of creativity.


What is next for Suzette? Any interesting projects?

I’m currently working on book #5 in The Generations Series. For anyone who’s unfamiliar with it, Generations is a collaborative creation between me and my sister-author-friend Suzette Riddick, whom I affectionately call “Twin” (as she does me). Generations will feature 10 novellas released in 5 sets of 2 books. Each set offers an African-American historical fiction (by me) & a contemporary women’s fiction (written by Twin). Every novella is a stand-alone book that can be read independently, but the most rewarding experience happens when a set is read together as the heroines are interconnected.


For example, book 1 (FOREVER BEAUTIFUL) is a historical piece set in 1949 and tells the story of a young woman named Floretta Coleman whose descendant, Jillian Hart is featured in book 2 (WANDERING BEAUTY), a contemporary story. Generations pays homage to our culture (past & present), sisterhood, & the power & strength of Black women hailing from our small, ficitious, all-Black town of Colemanville. Books 1-4 have already been released, and Twin and I are currently working on the next installments in this one-of-a-kind series!


I’m a hybrid author, and Generations is a self-published project. I’ll also be diving into two more dual timeline novels with my publisher in the upcoming months. I’ve also been blessed to be selected as a Kimbilio fellow and will be attending its summer retreat this August.


ABOUT THE READERS


If there was one thing you could tell your readers about Suzette, what would it be?

I’m an introvert by nature. I’m not a social butterfly and may feel awkward at times, but you wouldn’t know that when it comes to discussing my books publicly. I absolutely love connecting with readers. That’s when something comes alive inside. That something is Spirit and my gifting.


What advice would you give to an aspiring author?

Be consistent. Do your best to establish regular writing habits. It strengthens your writing muscles as well as your faith in yourself and establishes or reinforces your commitment to being published. Don’t view writing as a hobby. It’s a creative craft, but it’s also business. Be diligent. Dependable. And tenacious. Educate yourself on the industry. Know your genre, who you’re writing for (your audience) and what they expect. Have a supportive team who you trust and whose honest feedback you value. Be ready for critiques, helpful or hurtful, and know that the path may seem frightening. But even if you have to write while afraid, write anyway.


How can readers reach you?

































Author Spotlight - Suzette D.Harrison

RIC would like to thank Ms. Harrison for taking
time out of his busy to do this interview.