Alice thanks for taking the time to visit us today! I appreciate you
answering these few questions. It will be fun to get to know you better.
Tell us a little about yourself.
How long did you write before you were published?
Hi, Wanda! Thanks for taking the time to interview me on your site. I've
been writing fiction ever since I was six. I'd create little
stapled-and-stick-figure booklets and give them to my first grade teacher.
She'd have me read them in front of the class.
My first novel came out in 2008, but I self-published two cookbooks of
memory before that time. I also wrote for various publications like
Standard's Devotions and bereavement magazines.
Tell us about “Hatteras Girl,” the featured book.
Hatteras Girl came out in 2010, and takes place on the Outer Banks of
North Carolina, a great vacation spot filled with sunny days and lots of
wind. Jackie, the main character, has two dreams. She wants to meet a
great guy to marry and she wants to run the Bailey House, a local bed and
breakfast that has been shut down. Obstacles get in the way and Jackie
has to learn to wait on God.
I'd like to own a bed and breakfast (love staying in them), but am too
lazy, so I let Jackie do the work in Hatteras Girl.
Is there any person
who has been a strong influence in your writing journey?
My first grade teacher, Miss Terwilliger, was a big encouragement. Also,
my fellow missionary kid friend, Josephine.
What message do you want to be clear to your readers?Life is messy. Faith is hard to hold onto at times.
God is never changing. His love for us reaches high above the heavens.
I don't think we can fathom the vastness of it--it is a perfect love.
What are some of your likes and dislikes? Your hobbies, interests? Where
do you like to vacation?
I enjoy heading out to the Outer Banks when I can. I love the beach! We
have a boat and I like to speed along on it. I get some of my best ideas
while on our runabout boat that is named after my first novel, Rain Song.
Of course, since I grew up in Japan as a missionary kid, I also enjoy
traveling abroad. I enjoy cooking, baking, reading, watching movies with
my husband, and hot cups of Earl Grey.
(I love Earl Grey tea.)
Tell us a little-known fact about yourself that readers may not know.
The first karaoke song I ever sang was "Fifty Ways to Leave Your Lover."
On my recent birthday, I sang a song in Japanese by a pop singer I grew up
with, Go Hiromi. No one in the audience could understand a word of it, so
when I sang a line incorrectly, no one knew but me.
How do you spend your writing days? Do you set goals to reach a certain
number of words per day? Can you give us a general idea of how long it
takes you to write a novel?
Once the kids are off to school, I write. I set word goals, usually 2,000
to 3,000 words a day. If I don't, I won't get anything on my novel
accomplished. I like to have eight months to write, edit, and complete a
novel. I also teach Writing the Heartache Workshops, so some of my weeks
are consumed with reading my students' assignments.
What are you currently reading?
I just finished a non-fiction book called "The Boy Who Loved Tornadoes."
Great read about how our medical system often does not know what to do
with children who have challenging and "different" mental illnesses.
Do you grow flowers or vegetables? What are your favorite flowers?
I love irises and I do have them in my garden. I love them because they
hold a connection to my son Daniel who died from cancer treatments at age
four in 1997.
What are you writing now?
My current novel is about a North Carolina quilt-maker who sells her home
and lives in a RV. She travels in it to visit friends, and her goal is to
make it to the Grand Canyon. I'm calling it Fragrance of Marigolds after a
short piece I wrote about how life calls us to live now, even if we are
sorrowful or longing for days gone by.
How can readers find you on the Internet?
My website has been updated! Please visit: http://www.alicewisler.com
And thanks for spending this time with us, Alice. 
We wish you much success.
Thank you, Wanda! And thanks to each person for reading this interview.
My Review of Hatteras Girl
http://thelifeandtimesofwanda.blogspot.com/2011/01/hatteras-girl-by-alice-j-wislera-review.html
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ENTRY DEADLINE February 21, 2011 
