Author's Interview with Multi-book Author Susan Wingate.

 

Before we start with the fascinating world of today’s prolific author, let’s take a moment to introduce the incredible storyteller behind the many captivating tales we’ve enjoyed  

1. Welcome, and thank you for joining us! Can you start by sharing a little about your journey to becoming an author and what sparked your passion for writing?

I think my passion came from my father's writing. He was never published that I was aware of but he loved to write. His undergraduate degree was in English with a minor in speech. 

2. Your body of work spans across various genres and themes. How do you decide which story to tell next, and what inspires each of your unique books?

I listen to that spark of an idea. Like yesterday, for instance, I am working on another short memoir and then as I am driving to town, another story pops up that is a completely viable idea. The ideas come all the time but they have to have some semblance of viability to stay with me. I can't force an idea into being just because I think it up. 

But things that inspire me can be a conversation, listening to someone and how they speak, a walk in the woods or on the beach, or simply driving in the car. With all our thoughts yammering at us all day long, writers can choose from a plethora of ideas. 

3. Each book you write seems to explore different aspects of storytelling. Can you give us a peek into your creative process and how you approach crafting such diverse narratives?

I found out long ago that writing in the same genre and the same point of view bores the heck out of me. I wrote mysteries for a long time and loved writing them but I found that writing them was like rewriting other books I had either read of written myself. Third person perspective--that "he, him, his, she, her, hers" usage of a character's storytelling started to bore me. I loved reading other books that told a story in either first person (I, we) and also second person (you). 

I often write in first person now. But also wrote one story called GAG ME fully in second person. Second person is the most difficult to write but the character started telling her story to me one very late evening and didn't shut up until the next day. By then I had written nearly 10,000 words and knew exactly where the story was going to end and, more importantly, how the character would arrive at the end. 

I still write in third person but I enjoy writing first person, present tense I think the most. It seems to be immediate in its storytelling.

As for genre, I love writing young and adult characters alike. I typically write in current times, the 2000s or, at least, within the mid- to late-1900s. I like real earth but sometimes play around with dystopian thought and feminism. I just love where ideas lead me and try not to get distracted by them because they're not in what people think is my genre. 

4. From thrillers to dramas, you’ve covered a wide range of genres. How do you manage to switch between different styles and maintain your distinctive voice throughout?

Mostly, I think I answered this question above but maintaining voice is simply the act of maintaining the character's personality while I'm writing. I once heard another writer explain it this way, "I slip into the skin of my character--like a costume that I zip up from my toes to my head." It's a little gross when you think about it but I think it fits exactly what I do too. I wear my character until the end of the story. Of course, this applies to my fiction stories. My nonfiction stories come straight from my own experiences. 

5. What’s the most challenging part of writing a standalone book as opposed to a series? How do you ensure each book stands out on its own?

Now, see? I think it's far more difficult to write a series. I rely on character to tell me his or her story as opposed to plunking an already-thought-up character into a new plotline or dilemma. Although I've written series before, I didn't enjoy the process. I enjoy meeting a new character in each new story and learning about how and why they got themself into so much trouble that they need an author to dig them out! Not really but you get what I mean. Each new character has an entire life they want to tell me about, a whole new set of desires, hopes and dreams, goals. 

I just love meeting new characters, I think. 

6. Your books have resonated with a wide audience. What do you believe is the common thread that ties them together, despite their varied themes and genres?

Ooooh. I love this question! I think what ties them together is their sense of empathy and commitment to figuring out how to do the right things; how to live life without too much adversity but always seeming to find adversity around every corner. 

7. Can you share an anecdote or a particular moment from your writing journey that stands out as a significant learning experience or a breakthrough?

Yes, I can. I was reading Robert McKee's book on writing called STORY. He states this, “...all protagonists have certain hallmark qualities, and the first is willpower.” But he also states that structure isn't about the formatting of a book, structure is all about character and the character's journey. That blew me away. It made everything else seem so derived when, instead, it is as simple as asking, "Hey, where are you going?" Omygee! In other words, "Tell me your story." I get chills thinking about it. 

8. Balancing multiple book projects can be demanding. How do you stay motivated and organized when working on different stories and ideas simultaneously?

I don't know. LOLOL. I write a whole bunch to one story and then a whole bunch to the other story(ies). I guess it depends on my mood. But I try to write everyday. If I'm super tired, which I am of late because I'm running my husband's business and caring for him too. Both are full-time jobs. He has dementia and cannot care for himself. At. All. He can't feed himself or brush his teeth or shower or, well, anything. So, caring for him is an eight-hour a day activity which, by the way, I love and am honored to do but it is time-consuming. Then the work outside of home, well, I'm often tired. On days when I am too tired to lift my head, I don't write but most days are not like that. It seems God has given me a boatload of energy. Thank you, God! 

9. When you’re not writing, what are some of your hobbies or interests that help you unwind or inspire your creativity?

I love to walk with my dog, Joey. I also like to make room fresheners and homemade household goods like all-purpose cleaners. I'm a homebody. I also love the wildlife around our home. We have hundreds of raccoons who come to eat morning, noon, and night as well as a herd of approximately thirty deer. I love animals. 

10. Finally, reflecting on your journey, how do you feel about the impact your books have had on readers? Is there a particular message or feeling you hope your readers take away from your work?

Readers seem to feel a sense of love I have for my characters. They may see themselves in characters I write. I know that's what I feel when I read another author's books. But they also may think they are getting to know me a little better. That suits me fine too. Because characters, like dreams, are about everything and everyone we love at some point in our lives. 

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