"Recently I caught up with Wanda Brunstetter . Visit her website at www.wandabrunstetter.com." - DiAnn

INTERVIEW QUESTIONS:

Q. How long have you been involved in your particular career?

I began writing in 1980 and had my first short story published during the same year.

Q. What prompted your decision to become a writer?

I loved to read as a child and began writing poems and skits at an early age. From the time I was a young girl I wanted to be an author.

Q. How has your line of work changed during the past ten years? 

I’ve gone from writing short stories, articles, poems, and puppet scripts to writing full-length fiction novels.

Q. What aspects of your work do you enjoy the most?

I enjoy research and plotting, and always like to see the finished manuscript in print. I also find great joy in receiving positive responses from my readers.

Q. What are the most challenging problems for writers?

Making the time to write and staying motivated and focused are the most challenging problems I have encountered during my years of writing.

Q. What motivates you?

Knowing that the words I write will be touching someone’s life, along with the fact that I just plain love to write.

Q. How did you get your first big break into the writing business?

My first big break came when I sold an Amish novel to Barbour’s Publishing’s book club, Heartsong Presents.

Q. For what achievement would you like to be remembered?

I would like to be remembered for helping others to find a closer relationship to God because of something I wrote.

Q. Are there things you haven’t accomplished yet that you still would like to accomplish?

I would like to help more readers have a better understanding of the Amish people’s way of life, as well as their deep faith in God.

Q. If you were not involved in your present work, what would you most likely be doing?

I would continue to help my husband in his church ministry, and I might be doing more puppet and ventriloquist programs, like I did before I started writing.

Q. How keen is competition in your field?

There are many published authors, and twice as many aspiring authors, but I believe there is always room for new, talented voices.

Q. What is the secret to having satisfied readers in your business?

I believe that if an author gives her readers an exciting story they can enjoy and relate to in their everyday life, the reader will be satisfied.

Q. What trends are currently developing in your profession? 

Fiction novels are becoming more and more popular, especially those that are sprinkled with good, clean romance.

Q. What is an average workday like for you?

Right now, with the multiple deadlines I’m working on, I write five days a week (sometimes half a day on Saturday). I usually begin my day at 8 a.m. and sometimes work until almost bedtime, depending on other obligations. Of course, I take time out for meals, to do laundry, etc.

Q. What kinds of projects are you currently involved?

I’m working on several more Amish fiction novels, an Amish cookbook, and a series of Amish children’s books.

Q. How do you get your characters?

My characters come from my imagination and from observing other people.

Q. Do people in your line of work have much time for families?

I believe they can if they make the time, which I always try to do, since my family is very important to me.

Q. Do you travel much? 

I travel as much as my writing schedule allows, often going on trips to do research, doing book signings, speaking engagements, and attending writer’s conferences and bookseller’s conventions.

Q. Does your work put pressure on you?

Sometimes I do feel under pressure, but my work is fulfilling, so I’ve learned to work as well as possible under the pressure.

Q. How did you prepare yourself for your career?

I took several writing courses, have attended some writer’s conferences, and have read many books on various aspects of the craft of writing. I’ve also written a lot of short stories, articles, poems, and puppet plays, which I believe helped prepare me for writing longer things like novels and devotional books.

Q. What type of reading do you like?

I enjoy many kinds of fiction novels, but historicals are my favorite.

Q. In regard to your profession as a whole, of what are you most critical?

I tend to be the most critical of myself—always trying to make my writing better.

Q. What do you do when you need to get away from it all?

I take a day off and go out on my son’s boat, or if I have the time, I enjoy going to one of our Washington or Oregon ocean beaches for some down-time. I grew up around the waters of Puget Sound, and there’s something about it that I find peaceful. Even a few minutes spent on our patio swing, where I can listen to the sounds of our nearby gurgling pond helps me to refresh.

Q. Are there any professional associations that you belong?

I belong to the American Christian Fiction Writers, the Pacific Northwest Writers Association, the North American Association of Ventriloquists, and the Fellowship of Christian Magicians.

Q. What are your short and long range career goals? 

My short term goal is to meet all the book deadlines I’m contracted to write. My long term goal is to write many more Amish-related books.

Q. What sort of educational background do you have?

I graduated from high school in Tacoma, WA, took some clerical training, and have also taken several home-study courses (one on doll repairing, and some on the craft of writing).

Q. How do you spend your weekends and off-duty hours?

Some Saturdays I work for half a day, but on those days that I’m able to take off, I often go shopping, out to lunch, or spend time with my family (often on our son’s boat during the warmer months). My Sundays are for worship, rest, and family time.

My newest release is “The Bishop’s Daughter,” which is Book 3 in the Daughters of Lancaster County series.

My website address is:  www.wandabrunstetter.com

I’m way behind in my book reading, but the most recent books I’ve read are: “Sagebrush Christmas” by Birdie Etchison; “Patchwork Holiday” by DiAnn Mills, Colleen Reece, Renee DeMarco, and myself; “Young Pioneers,” by Rose Wilder Lane; “Schoolhouse Brides” by JoAnn Grote, Yvonne Lehman, Colleen Reece, and myself; and “Leather and Lace” by DiAnn Mills. I have just started reading “The Redemption” by M.L. Tyndall and have several more waiting in my pile of “must reads.”