JoeyPinkney.com 5 Minutes, 5 Questions With... Suzanna E. Nelson, author of The Helpers

5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Suzanna E. Nelson, author of The Helpers: An International Tale of Espionage and Corruption
(SEN Books)

American journalist, Jenny Osborne, has just received her first big assignment abroad to report on the war situation between the government and rebels in Congo, but soon after their arrival, she and her photojournalist, John Spencer discover that things are not as they seem.

Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the inspiration to write The Helpers: An International Tale of Espionage and Corruption?

Suzanna E. Nelson: My inspiration stems from the love I have for the African continent. I was born in Africa and moved to New York as a teenager, where I attended high school, and university and later worked. I now work for the UN in Geneva, Switzerland. For most my UN assignments, I work with developing countries in Africa, which I love. When I was young, I experienced war first hand, and I think that inspired the type of books I write.


JP: What sets The Helpers apart from other books in the same genre?

SEN: I am not aware of many thrillers like The Helpers that are set in Africa, but that does not mean they don’t exist. My writing is mostly inspired by actual events that happened in Africa. For this reason, I do a lot of research before I write. 

JP: As an author, what are the keys to your success that led to The Helpers: An International Tale of Espionage and Corruption getting out to the public?

SEN: There is no singular key to success. It takes a lot of work and dedication to get the books read by the public. Writing is the easy part because the process is enjoyable for an author. Marketing is not fun, but it has to be done. The most important thing is to write a well-developed story with minimal errors. 

JP: As an author, what is your writing process? How long did it take you to start and finish The Helpers: An International Tale of Espionage and Corruption?

SEN: Every story is different. Nightmare Along the River Nile was more straightforward because I knew what I wanted to convey beforehand. If a story is more complicated like The Helpers, I start with a picture in my head and then I put it on paper, indicating the main characters and situations. I cross-reference the characters with the situations, and then I decide on the supporting characters before I write the plots and subplots. 

JP: What’s next for Suzanna E. Nelson?

SEN: I am researching for a sequel to The Helpers and developing the plot because people keep asking for the sequel. Hopefully, I will have it done by next summer.

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