The Medieval Chronicle: September 2009 | Tribute to a Talented Author, Suzanne Barclay

I was in the original group of Rochester writers formed in 1993 by Carol Backus, also known as Suzanne Barclay. She wrote medieval romances and was not only a wonderful writer, but a terrific friend. She died ten years ago this September, after a long battle with cancer, fought bravely like the best of her heroines would have done.
I learned a lot from Carol, who became one of my best friends, but also someone I admired greatly as a writer. I thought I’d list these lessons for you so, on this ten year anniversary, you might learn something from her, too.

Always be professional in the writing world. Carol handled everything from bad reviews to stalemates in her career with aplomb. Often when I’d moan over a negative response to my work, she’d calmly tell me that not everyone was going to like my books.
Make sure your work is the best it can be. She was meticulous in revising and editing her work, and often mine, citing errors in POV (points of view), character development and structure. I’ve always said that it’s because of Carol’s help that I got published (35 books ago). At first, I tried to tell her, “That’s not what I meant. I meant this…” She’d listen calmly and then say, “But the reader isn’t going to be in your living room for you to explain that to her.”
To piggy back on that, always help others in the field. Carol spent countless hours with me and with my work, and I asked her once what I could do to pay her back. She smiled and said, “Help someone else once you get published.” I never forgot that and whenever I give a talk for free, explain why a manuscript isn’t working, or encourage new writers, I tell people they have Carol Backus to thank.

Never be jealous of other writers’ success. Carol was a master at this, and it came from an inner self-contentment and knowing who you are and how good you are. When I sold my first book, she was elated. When I won a very big award for it, she rejoiced. Not once did she ever see anyone else’s success diminish hers. I loved this about her, and finally, after a lot of years in the business, I feel as she did.
Be nice. Everybody loved Carol. At conferences, everybody KNEW Carol. She introduced me to scores of people, set up a meeting once for me with her agent and made sure she complimented my work when editors were around. I loved Carol, too.
Don’t take your job too seriously. This is a lesson I have yet to learn, but I’m better about it. Carol saw writing and her success in it as just part of her life. She was happily married and had grandchildren she loved and spent time with. She was always dragging me away from the computer for lunch together or dinner and trips with our husbands. I do more of this now, but Carol would tell me I don’t do enough.

Finally, I’d like to tell everyone I have a new book out from Superromance, Back To Luke, in bookstores now. Carol would want me to do this because, though she didn’t obsess about the business, she did indeed promote herself.
Most of all, remember Carol’s story. It will only make you a better writer and a happier person.

Kathryn Shay has been a lifelong writer. Though she spent much of her adult life as a teacher of high school English, she published her first book in 1995 for Harlequin Superromance. Since then, she’s published 25 Superromances (with 3 more on the way), ten mainstream romances for the Berkley Publishing Group, two novellas and three online reads. One of these novellas was excerpted in COSMOPOLITAN magazine in 2003. She has won five RT BOOKClub Magazine Reviewers Choice Awards, three Holt Medallions, four Desert Quill Awards, the Golden Leaf Award, and The Bookseller’s Best Award. Visit Kathryn's website www.kathrynshay.com

Click here to return to Village News >>