God has really been
moving in your writing life. What do you see on the horizon?
I hope to write more novels and also to write another
non-fiction book or two. Most of all, I want to be able to trust God for his
provision in my life. I mean, for everything! I so want to live more by faith
and not by my limited sight.
Tell us a little
about your family.
I have four kids---three on earth and one in Heaven. The
three here are Rachel, Ben and Liz. Daniel died at age four from cancer
treatments in 1997. His short life has inspired me in my writing and speaking. I’m
married to Carl. We’ve just started a business called Carved By Heart. We make
engraved plaques and memorials from oak, pine and poplar. You can see some of
our work here: http://www.carvedbyheart.com
Has your writing
changed your reading habits? If so, how?
Oh, yes. Sometimes it’s hard to read for pleasure because my
editor hat is always on. On the other hand, when I read something that speaks
to me, I know the author worked hard to get that portion of the book to sound
just right and that good writing is tedious to accomplish.
What are you working
on right now?
I’m working on many writing projects. One is another novel
for River North that I’ve titled, Lessons
in Blue, about adoption, grief and loss.
What outside
interests do you have?
I’ve recently taking up leather crafting. I enjoy pounding
tools into leather with my mallet and seeing the outcome. I also walk three
miles each day. Walking and I get along so well, that I’ve incorporated it into
my devotional (Getting Out of Bed in the
Morning) that comes out in January. There are sections in my book that are
especially for walkers as they commune with God on the trail.
How do you choose
your settings for each book?
All five of my novels are set in North Carolina . I live in Durham , NC
If you could spend an
evening with one historical person, who would it be and why?
I’d like to meet with Mary Lincoln. She lost two children to
death and really lost herself, keeping her curtains closed and refusing to go
out in public. If she’d allow me in, I’d like to have a cup of tea and ask her
some questions, and more than that, I’d want to give her a hug.
What is the one thing
you wish you had known before you started writing novels?
I should have listened better in English Grammar class.
What new lessons is
the Lord teaching you right now?
Patience. Patience as I wait upon God. I tell myself that God
loves my kids and loved ones more than I do and has a plan for each of their
lives.
What are the three
best things you can tell other authors to do to be successful?
Practice your craft each day.
Read what you like to write.
Accept criticism about your work; be willing to change your
ideas in order to make your story shine.
Tell us about the
featured book?
I call Still Life in Shadows an
ex-Amish novel, because it follows the life of Gideon Miller who left his
community due to an abusive father. About eighteen months ago, I watched a documentary
on Amish youth who “escaped” the Old Order lifestyle to pursue “English” lives.
As I watched, I took notes and from there read a lot online about what the
Amish face when they choose to leave their homes. I was lucky enough to be interviewed
in the Columbia Daily Tribune with my
inspiration for my novel, ex-Amish, Mose Gingerich. My story is written from
Gideon’s viewpoint as well as that of a thirteen-year-old autistic girl named
Kiki. It’s a tale about wanting to belong and learning to forgive, especially
yourself.
Please give us the
first page of the book.
Kiki had to get out, get going, or she’d punch a hole in
something. This two-bedroom house was as cramped as a coffin and nearlysmelled
like one, as the aroma of fried food saturated the walls. Mari had told her to
stay close, dinner was almost ready. But who wanted to wait around inside as
her sister stir-fried green peppers, onions, and potatoes—again?
In her room, Kiki laced her neon green tennis shoes as
quickly as her fingers could maneuver the frayed strings. She grabbed Yoneko,
her cotton tabby-cat puppet, and scrambled to her feet. Too quickly. The blood
all rushed from her head. She steadied herself against her closet door and
waited for the sensation to pass. Slow down, slow down, for Pete’s
sake. Then with tiny steps, she ventured into the hallway.
Her sister Mari—a lanky figure still wearing the tea
shop’s frilly apron—stood in front of the stove. With her back to Kiki, she
turned vegetables over with a spatula and hummed some song—probably from the
last century. Mari liked those old romantic songs by the Beatles and
Bob Dylan because, as she put
it, they had meaning for her heart.
How can readers find
you on the Internet?
Please find me on the Internet!
LIKE my author page on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Alice-J-Wisler/333751835453
Read my blog: http://www.alicewisler.com
Sign up for my newsletter: http://www.alicewisler.com/literary-lyrics-newsletter/Thank you, Alice, for sharing this book with us.
Readers, I've read this one and not only is it unique, it is also well-written. You'll want to read it.
Here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Still Life in Shadows
- paperbackStill Life in Shadows
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