Wright, Barbara Wilson

When I was ten I read, Little Women, and my heroine was Jo March, the literary sister. I wanted to be a writer just like her. It took a while as I first became a teacher, a wife and mother, and a nurse. Now I can say, “I’m a Writer”.

 

Interview Barbara Wilson Wright

by

Rhonda Kirk

 

What inspired you to become a writer?

My favorite childhood book was "Little Women" and Jo March, the literary sister, was my heroine. I wanted to be a writer just like her.

What was your inspiration for writing A Life Hidden?

"A Life Hidden" is the result of an overactive imagination. I have always been fascinated by the Anastasia Romanoff story and in a way this is a bit like it.

Do you have your plot and characters all thought out when you first begin to write, or does your story just happen?

I have an idea of a plot and maybe the two main characters but then the story takes on a life of its own.

Who is your favorite author?

Morris West, Evelyn Anthony. (British writers)

What is your favorite genre to read?

Historical novels are a favorite, but I'm too much of a fraidy cat for sci-fi or horror stories. I couldn't sleep for days after reading "The Exorcist"

Why did you choose an electronic publisher as opposed to a New York publisher?

I met B. J. Haynes at the Rocky Mountain Fiction writers workshop in Denver last year. She listened to me and didn't laugh at my story.

How many manuscripts did you submit before receiving your first publishing contract?

This is my first manuscript I ever submitted.

What advice would you give to aspiring writers?

Best advice for a beginning writer... READ, READ, READ! and don't give up.

When do you budget time to write? Is it a daily routine?

I am a very undisciplined writer. I don't schedule times. Usually the prelude to writing is a long walk during which time I talk to myself and lay out the next chapter ahead of me. I walk in the evening so my neighbors don't see me chatting or sometimes arguing with myself.

What hobbies do you have besides writing?

I like to travel. That comes from having a restless spirit. I love to cook and I'm good at it!

 

Interview Barbara Wright

by

Linda M. Orlando

 

  1. Barbara, how long have you been writing, and have you always written in this genre? Did you know from childhood that writing was your purpose in life, or was your writing something that you discovered later?

I’m a “late bloomer”….very late in fact. It was not until I was in the second half of my fifties that I even thought about writing.

  1. What would you like to share with us that will help us get to know Barbara Wilson Wright better?

I consider myself a good example of “you’re never too old to try something”. In my fifties after a career in teaching and guidance counseling, I left and went to nursing school. I was the oldest graduate in the Arapahoe Community College School of Nursing where I studied. In fact one time while doing a practicum, a floor nurse came charging up to me and demanded to know if I was the instructor for all “these student nurses”. She was stunned to learn that I was “one of those student nurses”. My first book, “ A Life Hidden”, was published when I was 64. See… you can do anything!

  1. What do you enjoy most about writing, is there one part of the process that really excites you?

Yes, putting a plot and characters, especially characters, together in my mind for the first time is exciting.

  1. What was the inspiration for your story, La Sorellanza (The Sisterhood), if there was something in particular?

A friend asked me to see the movie, “The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood”. When I got out I thought I’d like to write about a sisterhood. By the way I have no brothers or sisters.

  1. What are the characteristics of an unforgettable character from your point of view?

I think an unforgettable character is one which you yourself would like to be.

  1. Do you have a favorite character in your book?

No, not really because my book has five heroines and there is in each of them a part which I admire.

  1. Do you write every day? If so, how many hours a day? Do you have a favorite time of day or a special place to write?

I’m very undisciplined! I write when the mood and ideas seize me. I prefer the evening however after a walk during which time I set up the next chapter. I talk to myself as I walk. Thankfully the neighbors understand and are not alarmed.

  1. Do you have a ‘day job’?

No. I’m semi-retired from teaching and nursing.

  1. Do you use an outline to write or do you let the story guide you?

I outline rather haphazardly and as the story grows it guides me along.

  1. Do you have a role model, a writer who inspired you, or some other person who encouraged you along the way?

I would have to say my Mother had the greatest influence on me as she was a believer that if you were willing to work hard… anything was achievable.

 

Interview Barbara Wilson Wright

by

Patricia Scott

1) Congratulations on your November release! A Mission of Evil… what a great title this is. Exciting and dynamic. Have you written others similar in this genre or is this your first novel?

This is my third book with Wings ePress. The first two, A Life Hidden and La Sorellanza, were as I call them “chick books” I thought I’d like to try another genre. A Mission of Evil is a thriller.

2) How long have you been a writer? How do you find your ideas? And what other things do you do other than writing? Hobbies if you have time?

Like most writers, I’ve been an avid reader so the love of words, plots, characters evolved into writing. Blessed with an overactive imagination, ideas come zooming into my head all the time. Sorting them out is another problem. Hobbies? Well I still work as a district school nurse. (probably the oldest school nurse in Colorado) I love to eat so I love to cook.

3) This sounds like a cracking thriller… have you romance in it. Can you tell us a bit about it?

There’s not much romance in this book, well, perhaps just a sub-plot… enough to change the pace.

4) Who are your main characters or protagonists in it?

Kim Bessinger is one of the main characters. I like her because she grows so much as the story unfolds. She starts out as a flake, a party girl, but as she pursues her friend’s disappearance a maturity develops. Khalid is the antagonist… a terrorist who is completely focused on his mission. He has no time for mercy or compassion and every thriller has a good cop. Lt. Schonen fills the bill with understanding and wisdom.

5) Do you have a web page or blog?

No, I don’t blog and I don’t have a web page. I still start out writing on sheets of lined yellow paper and lots of sharps pencils.

6) What made you try e-publishing… or try Wings?

I met some of the ladies who run Wings ePress at a fiction writer’s workshop in 2001. I was such a novice. I just walked in with my typewritten pages, smiled, and asked what do I do now? The ladies didn’t laugh at me. They listened and encouraged me.

7) What has spurred you on since you first started writing?

I like a challenge so I keep challenging myself.

8) What has been the most exciting moment or moments for you?

The day my first box of books arrived. I opened the box, took out a book and sat down on the floor and cried, and of course the day a contract shows up on my e-mail ranks pretty high as well.

9) Have you any more books coming out next year? What are you writing now?

Nothing has been schedule for next year. I am writing a mystery play for our library’s fund-raiser. It’s a comedy and I am having lots of fun with it.

10) Have you advice you would like to give to someone just starting out as a writer?

Good advise: Read, Read , Read!

Better advice: Review, revise, re-write

Best advice: Don’t give up. If this is your dream… Go for it!