Interview with Alice J. Wisler Author of Hatteras Girl
This month I'm talking with Alice J. Wisler, author of Hattaras Girl. She has given me a copy of her book that one of you subscribers will win in the December drawing.
JO: Tell us a little about your background as the daughter of missionaries in Japan.
ALICE: I was born in Osaka, Japan in the sixties to career-missionary parents. I went to Japanese kindergarten in Osaka and an international elementary school in Kyoto. High school was in Kobe, and since the distance was far, I lived in the high school dorm for four years. Then I went back to teach English in a church-run school in the eighties after college and a stint in the Philippines. So, I've lived 18 years total in Japan, love Japanese food and have many days when I miss my homeland.
JO: You have a new novel that just came out. What is it about?
ALICE: Hatteras Girl takes place in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. I'm fascinated by that region of the world. You can see pictures of it at my blog: http://www.alicewisler.blogspot.com/ Jackie, the main character, has a childhood dream to run the Bailey Bed and Breakfast in Nags Head. Lots of obstacles get in her way, including a handsome realtor. Like each of us, Jackie must learn to wait on God.
JO: You have two other novels as well. Where do they take place?
ALICE: Rain Song is set in the pickle capital of the world--Mount Olive, NC! My second novel, How Sweet It Is, takes place in the lovely Smoky Mountains. also in NC. I live in this state, so enjoy writing about it. Since I love to travel and grew up overseas, all of my novels have some tidbit or story about other countries. Rain Song has a Japan connection as I do.
JO: Who was the person who influenced you the most with your writing?
ALICE: I don't think I can give an award to just one person. There has been much encouragement from family and friends. However, my son Daniel, who died at age four in 1997, is my biggest inspiration. I had a wonderful German friend, Sasha, also a bereaved mother, who wrote poetry. Her verses still appear in publications long after her death. She influenced me with her wisdom, and I am still amazed at how well she understood the broken human heart.
JO: What are some of the challenges you face as an author?
ALICE: I think one of them is how to balance promotional time/marketing time for my novels that are in bookstores and actual sit-down-and-write-a-few-chapters-a-day-time. I really enjoy doing both.
JO: What advice do you have for aspiring writers?
ALICE: Value your writing time and make the most of it. Keep your chin up especially when rejections come. Stay motivated and determined. And above all, know that you are loved and cared for by the Creator of the universe. Just basking in God's love is awesome to think about when you are discouraged.
JO: How can readers get in touch with you?
ALICE: I'd love it if you'd email me at [email protected], and go to my website to sign up for my newsletter, Literacy Lyrics at http://www.alicewisler.com
Thanks to all for reading my novels, and thanks for the interview, Jo!
JO: Thanks for sharing your time with us and for the copy of Hatteras Girl.
Back to Top
|