Inside The Author with Elizabeth Wehman

7/19/2020

Would you like to get to know more about how the inner book brain of an Indie Author works?
This is the place!

Periodically, we'll invite an Indie Author to open up their brain, and show us inside. We'll have a conversation that deals a little bit with writing craft, reading influences, and some other fun stuff.

Today, we thumb through the pages of
Indie Author Elizabeth Wehman's grey matter...

Discover More About Elizabeth Wehman HERE!

What literary pilgrimages have you gone on?
Oh my, there isn’t enough space to tell you! LOL! My pilgrimage started in 1991, just after the birth of my second child. I wanted to write a novel, but had to learn the in’s and out’s of doing that. Soon time became scarce as well as money, so I put aside my creative dream and got to work as a newspaper reporter to help pay the household bills. I did that for twelve years. I loved it. I thrived in the environment and soon went from proofreader to the newspaper editor in that time. As much as I loved it, I also wanted to continue my trek of writing the greatest all-American novel. I tried and in 2014, I published my first book. From there, I’ve quit the newspaper work, but have continued publishing novels and I’m now working on my sixth one. I’ve also started a writing group in my area for others seeking to do the same. We’ve published two anthologies. My journey has been long, but so worth it. I wouldn’t change a thing.

What is the first book that made you cry?
Reading...it was probably the Little House on the Prairie books. When the train finally came after The Long Winter. Writing, I make myself cry many, many times.

What is your writing Kryptonite?
I’m assuming this is a distraction or something to get you off track on writing. I’m not up on my super hero terminology. For me, it’s just sitting down to do it. I talk myself into doing most anything, on same days, than just getting to work and writing. Things like: I don’t have enough research done, OR perhaps people are just being nice with their compliments to my writing instead of believing they really think I’m a good writer. Etc...etc...etc...

Do you want each book to stand on its own, or are you trying to build a body of work with connections between each book?
For me, both! I have two stand alones and also one short series of two books and will be writing a second in another series soon.

How did publishing your first book change your process of writing?
I learned many things NOT to do as a writer. I’ve actually learned many things with each book I write. What not to do, what to do in exchange. It’s definitely a learning process.

As a writer, what would you choose as your mascot/avatar/spirit animal?
I don’t really have anything like this.

What did you edit out of your books? (keep it family-friendly, please)
Words. Plain, ole’ familiar, used all the time...words! I love them and that can be a problem at times. There are scenes too, that remind me more of Hallmark movies and are typical and mundane. Those need to be edited out, too.

What one thing would you give up to become a better writer?
Having to have an outside job! I have been able to sit and write all the time since 2019. This has been such a huge blessing. Although, I have to be very diligent of my time and work like I have a real job.

What is your favorite childhood book?
It would have to be the Little House book series. I loved them. I will occasionally get them out again and read through them from time to time.

What is the most difficult part of your writing process?
Edits that seem to last for months. I always want to believe that every manuscript I write is better than the last and whenever my first edits return from an editor, I find out that I always gain new or other bad habits to replace the ones I believed to have conquered. It’s hard to be edited.

What is the easiest part of your writing process?
Sitting down and writing the initial story. I relish and LOVE this part.

How long, on average, does it take you to write a book?
I’ve done one in about seven months, but I do believe it is exactly a year for me to write a good one and to be confident in the finished product.

A common misconception entwined with authors is that they are socially inept, how true is that?
I do believe there are some writers who do well to be inconspicuous and quiet, but in a self-publishing environment, this can’t be true or you’d rarely sell a book.

When did it dawn on you that you wanted to be an author?
In first grade. I was challenged to read 100 books and after doing it...I was hooked. Forever.

Who are your biggest literary influences?
Those who have succeeded and continue to do well in the publishing world. In the Christian fiction realm they include: Lynn Austin, Francine Rivers, and I also love the Mitford Series by Jan Karon.

What’s your favorite movie which was based on a book? Why?
I don’t think any movie can be produced as well as in book form. In book form you have extreme ways of showing a scene with deep POV. That is lacking in movies. A character can show things on their face, grimace in pain or even shout for joy, but it is very hard to see an internal struggle or a character imagining something in their own head. Many movies have come close, but I always find the book to be better than the movie. Perhaps I’m a bit biased. LOL!

How did it feel when your first book got published? How did you celebrate?
I was thrilled. I’ll never forget the moment of having it in my hands. Looking at the boxes filled with a book that was my own. To celebrate, I held my very own book signing party. I rented a historic depot in my hometown and sent out lots of invitations. It was epic and it was a celebration that I will never forget.

What is that one thing you think readers generally don’t know about authors?
At how hard they work to get a book out. They don’t see the frustrations, writer’s block, hair-pulling edits, nor the time it took to put out a book. If they did, they wouldn’t be upset to pay just $15 for a book. It’s hard to hear people say, “I’ve always wanted to do that” and not tell the person...”then go ahead and try.” No one really knows the process, unless they are a writer themselves.

Can you tell us about your current projects?
I have started a series on a pioneer family that settled in my county in 1833. I will soon be starting book two in a possible three-book series. I am also the President/Founder of the Shiawassee Area Writers and we put out an anthology every year. This is our third which will be published in September. I am in charge of putting it all together, with the help of a formatting friend. I’m also heavily into marketing my fifth book that came out in May, 2020.

Are you attending any conventions/festivals where readers can meet you and/or buy your books? Please provide all the “find it” information.
My books are available at Owosso Books & Bean, MI. Faith Christian Store in Flint, MI. Also, at the Durand Union Station in Durand, MI. All are available on my website at: www.elizabethwehman.com. I will be attending farmer’s markets in the area throughout the summer including Owosso and Durand. And all are available on Amazon. (I will also be doing a book selling tour in the next week or so, hopefully to add more bookstores that will be willing to carry my books.) Keep up-to-date with where I will be selling books on my Elizabeth Wehman/Author page on Facebook.

Please provide links and/or instructions about how readers can purchase signed copies of your books.
By going on my website, you can purchase an autographed copy. You can pay through PayPal and the book will be shipped to you. I will also sign books at any of the events listed above.

Any advice you would like to give to aspiring authors?
Keep trying! Don’t give up! Find local writers in your area who you can team up with and get busy. Learn as much as you can, attend a conference, meet other writers. Then get busy.