Hi everyone.
I’m Suzanne Norquist, author of “A Song for Rose” in A Bouquet of
Brides collection. If you haven’t heard of me, it’s because I’m a debut author.
I’m honored to be in a collection with so many talented multi-published
authors.
Patrick O’Donnell is the hero of my story. I borrowed the name Patrick from
my son-in-law. It’s his middle name. He was not yet engaged to my daughter at
the time I contracted this story. Wouldn’t it have been awkward if she had
married someone else? I would have pretended I came up with the name another
way. At least, it isn’t his first name.
In my story, Patrick manages the opera house in a historic mining town.
He came from back east and knows the opera scene. He used to sing tenor, but
the struggle to always be good enough for the stage wore him down. As the
manager, he can hide from the limelight and criticism that comes with life in
the public eye.
My daughter and son-in-law shared stories with me about opera auditions
and competitions. My daughter described the experience of opening her mouth to
hit the high note in a competition and no sound came out. She once auditioned
right after the winner of a prestigious competition psyched her out.
I don’t show this audition process in “A Song for Rose,” but it’s part
of what shaped Patrick’s character. It’s one reason he doesn’t want to see Rose
join an opera company.
On a side note, often the hero of an opera sings tenor, so Patrick is a
tenor. When my daughter met her husband, he sang tenor—the perfect hero. Since then, my son-in-law switched to
baritone and has performed all villain roles. I’m not sure I want to be the
mother-in-law to the villain. Thankfully, in real-life he is still a
soft-hearted tenor hero.
Find Patrick’s story in
“A Song for Rose” in a Bouquet
of Brides Collection.
Suzanne Norquist explores
past and present through story.
Everything fascinates her, so she never settled on a career. She has
worked as a sales clerk, chemist, professor, financial analyst, and even earned
a doctorate in economics. As an author, she experiences different worlds
without starting a new career every time. Research feeds her curiosity, and she
shares the adventure with her readers.
She lives in Colorado with her mining engineer husband and has two
grown children. When not writing, she explores the mountains, hikes, and
attends kickboxing class.
She authors a blog entitled, Ponderings
of a BBQ P.h.D. Sign up to receive her blog and receive a free five-day
devotion.
Learn more at suzannenorquist.com.
Or visit her Facebook
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