Author. Keen Observer. Storyteller.
If it seems like a mystery how women can have it all—a career, happy marriage and children—just look at Susan McBride’s life to see how it can be done in a “novel” way.
She’s the widely read author of 20 books, including two mystery series (Debutante Dropout Mysteries and River Road Mysteries), novels, young adult titles and an autobiography.
McBride always loved to write, starting in childhood. So, she took a leap of faith by quitting college after her freshman year to write an historical novel. The manuscript—which she sent wrapped in pink tissue paper and doused in perfume—was rejected by six publishers, but the editors called her “a natural storyteller,” giving her the encouragement she needed to continue.
After earning a degree in journalism from Kansas University, she worked as a medical transcriber because it gave her the schedule flexibility to write. The turning point was winning a contest held by a small Midwestern press, which led to a book contract. Eventually, she was accepted by publishing powerhouse Harper Collins, leading her to think, “I can die now.”
At age 41, McBride was enjoying a life of writing, book signings and meeting authors. And then Cupid struck with youthful abandon, bringing her a man 10 years her junior. This led not only to marriage with software engineer Ed Spitznagel, but to writing “The Cougar Club,” a book set in St. Louis about 40-something single women looking for romance.
In the following years, she fought and beat breast cancer and then gave birth at 47 to Emily, who is the center of their lives. McBride could easily write a book about how she ended up “living the dream,” but here, she shares the Cliffs Notes with us.
Everything is fodder for books.
I’m always observing. When I’m driving, people-watching or noticing people’s relationships, my brain fills with “what if” questions. And suddenly, a story is born. Every author wants to love their story and find the book of their heart.
“I need to write a book.”
When I was 19 years old, on a road trip from Texas to visit my grandparents in St. Louis, I had this epiphany. That very minute, I asked my mother for paper and pen, and began putting down ideas. I knew in my heart this is what I was meant to do.
Being imperfect is awesome.
My grandfather was very encouraging. He called me perfect, but in reality, I was a perfectionist. That made me rigid, which was very frustrating. I’ve gotten better and eventually figured out that publishing isn’t about writing a perfect book.
Words are to a writer what colors are to an artist.
Words allow me to translate the pictures going on in my head. I worry about what will happen in a world of emojis. I can’t even use abbreviations in a text. I fell in love with my husband because he sent me emails and knew so many words, especially for a computer guy.
I didn’t want to raise a boyfriend.
My husband is 10 years younger than me. He was 31 when we met, but he looked 18. I was worried that his mother was dying over the idea, but it turned out she was OK with the relationship. My husband’s fear wasn’t age. He said, “I’m scared to close my eyes at night because I know what your crazy brain is capable of.”
Getting pregnant at 47 without hormones was a miracle.
Emily is my heart. After breast cancer, I couldn’t take hormones. But we got pregnant naturally! Being an older mother, I am calmer and don’t get worked up unless it’s life or death. The other mothers in my daughter’s class are younger and thinner, but they’re filled with anxiety. When my daughter’s friends ask me my age, I say, “I’m 150. Don’t I look awesome?”
I don’t look too far in the past… or too far in the future.
I operate day to day. My husband says I run on two speeds: hyper and off. I’m a professional worrier who’s not good at sitting down. But I always find time to focus on family. As friends remind me, “You’ll regret the time you don’t spend with Emily, but you won’t regret writing one less book.”
