Best-selling author interview with PeggySue Wells

Can you share a little about your recent book?

  I have three new releases.

Homeless for the Holidays is the heartwarming story of an upscale executive who loses it all and finds he and his family truly have everything.

Chasing Sunrise is the fast-paced suspense about a special forces military man who must use all his training to protect those he cares about when international killers arrive on St. Croix at the same time Hurricane Hugo unleashes it fury.

The Girl Who Wore Freedom is the inspiring true story of the five-year-old girl who was liberated, along with her French village, by American troops on D-Day.

Why do you write? Do you have a theme, message, or goal for your books?

I write because it is a bridge of connection and communication with people, a vital tool to do life better, together. A creative art form, writing is a means to reveal thoughts, express ideas, and convey dreams. I write to know, to understand this incredible and zany world and to appreciate fellow travelers on this challenging journey. I write to be known, open, transparent, and vulnerable, to give, encourage, and inspire others far beyond my immediate sphere of influence. Words permit me to possibly be the wind under the wings of another who is weary, disheartened, and disillusioned. I enjoy both the challenges and victories of the craft because it satisfies my spirit. I write because writing is an essential. Through writing I give voice to others, champion integrity, bring humor, and share stories.

How long have you been writing?

In college, I blew out my knees as a dancer and shifted to the other subject that made my eyes light up – journalism. After being the editor of the college newspaper and magazine, I went to work as a news reporter and magazine editor. While raising my children, I wrote freelance and my first book was published in 1995.

How long did it take you to get your first major book contract? Or are you published non-traditionally? How did that come about?

Presently I have 29 published titles, and many books I ghosted. Most of those are traditionally published. My first book, Holding Down the Fort, I sent out as a proposal to ten top publishers. Bethany House phoned and said they wanted to contract the book. Bethany House published my first two titles.

Which of your books is your favorite?

Chasing Sunrise and The Patent(with Max Garwood) are at the top of my list. I adore writing action-packed, fast-paced adventure novels. I’m fond of all of my titles and have greatly enjoyed the relationships built co-authoringBonding With Your Child Through Boundaries with June Hunt, What To Do When You Don’t Know What To Say with Mary Ann Froehlich, and What To Do When You Don’t Want To Go To Church with Pat Palau.

Do you have a favorite character or scene in one of your books?

Michael Northington, sidekick Bryce Lassiter, commander Corbin MacIntyre in Chasing Sunrise are fun men of integrity, adventure, and courage. I like Elise, Jerry, Brother Ned, June, and am writing a novel telling Antonio’s story before he came to St. Croix. The Patent picks up later in Michael’s career when he commands his own special forces team. Marc Wayne and his sister, Mallory Wayne, are fun to write into impossible situations and watch them work their way out. If you like Clive Cussler books, you’ll like The Patent and Chasing Sunrise.

How long does it take you to write a book?

I just completed a book with Pam Farrel for Baker House titled Best Decisions A Single Parent Can Make that I wrote in three months. That book releases in September.

What’s your writing work schedule like?

I rise early, journal, read Scripture, pray, read for 30 minutes, and write for 90 minutes. Next, I work on business items for 2 hours. Write and work until dinner. Exercise in the evening and write before going to sleep.

Do you have an interesting writing quirk? If so, what is it?

I adore drinking tea while working. My friend and first co-author, Mary Ann Froehlich, lives across the nation and we still send one another tea by mail. I’m a fan of dark chocolate and the occasional vitamin Ms (peanut M&Ms). I can write anywhere and do exactly that. Noise and activity do not distract me. I take my laptop to busy restaurants, traveling, when I accompany my daughter who rides rodeo.

What has been your greatest joy(s) in your writing career?

I’m thankful for the friendships I have with people I admire. Teaching others to write, bringing someone’s message to the world, and creating works that will outlive me are great joys. What freedom to be able to write/work anywhere and that all experiences, observations, and travel are material for my writing. My heart is full to see two of my children thriving as professional writers. Though my adult children are in different states, they started a book club where we read books together and talk about what we read each week over a soul-nourishing zoom call.

What has been your darkest moment(s)?

Measuring the gap between where I want to be in my career and where I am is sobering. There have been broken contracts, and poor business practices but that is probably the stuff of life. I have a couple literary novels I’m eager to get out of my head where they have lived for a lot of years and into published books.

How many times in your career have you experienced rejection? How did they shape you?

Rejection is typically a situation where the project merely is not a fit. I appreciate the feedback that helps me write better, pitch better, find better fits for me and my projects, and guides me to be more creative. 

Where do you get your ideas?

The struggle is in deciding which ideas to pursue! So many ideas, so little time. Sometimes the challenge is in not knowing how to bring an idea from theory to concrete. For instance, I have a game that I’d like to bring to market as well as online classes but will have to learn the process.

Who is your favorite author to read?

Richard Paul Evans is a kind friend, brilliant writer, and I’m thankful that he endorsed Homeless for the Holidays and Chasing Sunrise. Clive Cussler, Vince Flynn, Jan Karon, Ken Gire, and John Erickson.

What advice can you give aspiring writers that you wished you had gotten, or that you wished you would have heeded?

I would like to have learned much earlier to focus on the facts and not make up stories about those facts. For instance, when a publisher published two of my books, then passed on my next two ideas, I assumed that meant they didn’t want to work with me anymore. That was a story I made up in my head about the facts. However, the facts were merely that they decided to pass on my next two pitches that were not a fit for them. In this industry, keep pitching great ideas and networking.

What are common mistakes you see aspiring writer’s make?

Writers must have a significant audience or following. Being a good writer is not enough today when marketing is just as important. Books have to sell so everyone from writer to publisher can support themselves. Money may not be everything but it is the currency of exchange in our culture for food, shelter, and clothing.

Where/How do you recommend writers try to break into the market?

Develop your craft, become an excellent writer, and be teachable. Find mentors.

History buff and island votary, PeggySue Wells skydives, scuba dives, parasails, and has taken (but not passed) pilot training. PeggySue is the bestselling author of 29 books including Homeless for the Holidays, The Girl Who Wore Freedom, and Chasing Sunrise. She is a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Christian Authors Network, Run Hard, Rest Well, advisory committee for the Taylor Writers Conference, and talk show host on Five Kyngdoms Radio. Connect with her at PeggySueWells.com, @PeggySue Wells, linkedin.com/in/peggysuewells, and facebook.com/peggysue.wells.