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Interview with Terri Wangard

You have a great love for history. Was there a certain catalyst or inspiration that made you want to write historical fiction?

I wrote unpublished contemporary romances in the early 2000s, but then stopped writing for a few years. In 2008, I read Debbie Macomber’s Twenty Wishes, about a group of women who decided to fulfill their bucket lists. I started writing again and based a WWII novel on letters found in my grandmother’s house. Distant cousins in Germany received care packages from the American family in the immediate postwar years. They contain lots of fascinating details about their lives, but nothing about their feelings about Hitler or the Nazis. I created a family to be proud of. That was my first published novel, Friends & Enemies. I didn’t plan on continuing with WWII, but an editor told me that a series would more likely receive a contract. I’m still writing World War II.

You were able to ride in a WWII B-17 Flying Fortress bomber. What was that experience like and how did it help with your books?

Noisy. I had to change my manuscripts to better reflect the working conditions of the airmen. And exhilarating. I touched history that day.

I understand you have a love of genealogy, and actually found a German cargo ship named the S.S. Wangard. Did you ever find how it was named?

No. That was so long ago, 1909. The owner company is still be in business after several changes. I looked through their contact options; none of them specified historical aspects, and they probably haven’t maintained records. I would like to know who the ship was named for. My German genealogy is the hardest to search, going back to my 4th great-grandfather born about 1784, and I don’t know of any seafarers.

Have you found any surprising tidbits doing research for your books?

What has been surprising is how little I found for my new series. This WWII series is set in unexpected places. In other words, not England, France, or anywhere in continental Europe. The first two books are set in Brazil and Iceland. Researching them was difficult. Thank goodness for out-of-print book sellers. I found a gem for each of my books which made them possible.

Reflecting back, what do you see as most significant to your publication journey?

Joining ACFW. I attended my first conference in 2010. I hadn’t known anyone and, quickly discovered, didn’t know that much about writing. By the end of the conference, I was feeling a little dazed. After a worship service, the lady in front of me turned around and hugged me. She was Mary Ellis and she gave me a needed boost to keep going. I joined critique groups and, in 2013, a local chapter started. Having friends on the same journey means everything.

How do your faith and spiritual life affect your storytelling?

When I arrive in Heaven, I want to hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant,” rather than realize my writing disappointed my Savior.

My father was disapproving when I checked out fiction from the church library. He felt fiction was a waste of time. He didn’t say anything when I started writing fiction, but he’s read all of my books, and enjoyed them. After reading my Lusitania story (Roll Back the Clouds), he wrote me a note saying how impressed he was by it. I cherish that note.

For your most recent release, “Seashells in My Pocket,” what message do you hope readers take away from this book?

If you keep your eyes focused on Jesus, you’re not going to focus on the obstacles in your way.

Who/What spurs you to write? Where do your story and character ideas come from?

I wrote my first story after reading several romances that seemed to be written according to a formula. I decided to write my own. It was a cruise romance, because I loved cruising.

For my present series, I wanted unusual settings. Because they’re not major WWII sites, I was limited in who the characters could be. All three heroes are pilots, but of very different aircraft. That proved challenging because I had to research four airplanes.

If you could have coffee with an author, dead or alive, whose work you admire, who would that be? What would you ask him or her?

Maj Lindman. I grew up with Flicka, Ricka, and Dicka. Maj’s books helped ignite my love of books. I don’t know what I might ask her, but I’d like to say, “Thank you.”

What do you enjoy doing when you are not writing?

My brother and I have this weird goal of bicycling at least once every month of the year. Yes, in Wisconsin. Ideally, the temperature will be at least 40°, but I’ve gone out when it’s been 37°. Snow accumulation can be a problem on a path that doesn’t get plowed.

Finish this statement: If I were not an author, I would be.....

a librarian. I have an MLS degree. Actually, I haven’t worked in a library for decades because the family business (publishing Classic Boating magazine) needed my fulltime help.




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