Conversations with Creatives: Terri Wangard

Do you enjoy meeting new authors?

I hope you take a moment today and get to know a new friend, Terri Wangard.

Christina: Please tell me a little about yourself.

Terri: I grew up in Green Bay, Wisconsin, during the Lombardi Glory Years. My first Girl Scout badge was the Writer. I hold a bachelor’s degree in history and a master’s degree in library science and I still live in Wisconsin.

Classic Boating Magazine, a family business since 1984, keeps me busy as an associate editor. I serve on the Genesis and First Impressions contest teams and as secretary of the Wisconsin Southeast chapter.

Christina: I love how your first Girl Scout badge was Writer!

Let’s talk books! What is your book called?

Terri: Seashells In My Pocket

Christina: When’s the release date?

Terri: March 12

Christina: Oh, wonderful, it just came out! Is this a series?

Terri: Yes, book one of the Unsung Stories of World War II.

Christina: Tell me a little about your research for this book.

Terri: My research included going for a ride in a WWII B-17 Flying Fortress bomber.

Christina: That’s super exciting! Can you share your book’s blurb with my readers?

Terri: Here you go!

German-Brazilian Isabel Neumann delights in creating seashell art, but it’s her mathematical ability that lands her a job at the American air base in Natal, northern Brazil during World War II. She doesn’t need a calculator to determine the correct weights and balances for the Air Transport Command’s cargo planes.

Daniel Lambert, an American transport pilot based at Natal, endures the taunts of combat pilots that he is “allergic to combat.” His flying skills win him respect, however, as his friendship with Isabel deepens, even as a new source of trouble looms.

Isabel is caught in the crosshairs of a German saboteur who is obsessed with her. He insists that she belongs with him and demands that she help him sabotage the Allied base. Her growing relationship with Daniel angers the Nazi, who will do anything to get rid of him. What will happen to Isabel if the madman captures her?

Christina: I love books set in this era! What is the inspiration behind your story?

Terri: Gail Halvorsen was a Berlin Airlift pilot (the Candy bomber) who was based in Natal, Brazil, during WWII. I knew about the Brazil Expeditionary Force that fought in Italy, but what were Americans doing in Brazil during the war? I had to learn more.

Christina: What’s your favorite part of your writing process?

Terri: I enjoy research. Finding little tidbits and figuring out if they can be worked in is almost like putting together a jigsaw puzzle.

Christina: If you could give one piece of advice to a budding creative what would it be?

Terri: Join a critique group or ACFW and a local chapter. Contact with other writers is crucial.

Christina: Great advice!

Now for some fun! Name something quirky in your workspace. Can you give a little backstory about said item?

Terri: I have an old film canister with sand scooped up from Omaha Beach. I visited Normandy in 2000. It looks very different than it did in 1944. So peaceful. Bomb craters are still there, the remains of German pillboxes, barbed wire at the cliffs, no blood fortunately.

Christina: That sounds like another great part of your research!

Do you have a favorite snack to get your creative juices flowing?

Terri: I don’t snack between meals. All that I have by my laptop is a bottle of water.

Christina: What book are you reading right now?

Terri: Vanishing Act: The Enduring Mystery Behind the Legendary Doolittle Raid over Tokyo by Dan Hampton

Christina: Sounds like a great book!

Okay, here’s another fun question. You just won free tickets to anywhere in the world! Where are you going? And who are you taking?

Terri: Hawaii. I need to do a little research for the book I’m working on now. Maybe my sister could join me.

Christina: I think that’s one of the best parts of being a writer, researching settings!

What will you be working on next?

Terri: I’m working on book three of the series. Book two is with one more beta reader before going to the publisher.

Christina: How many unfinished projects do you have?

Terri: Besides the book I’m working on. I used to do a lot of cross stitch. My vision started giving me trouble focusing on the tiny stitches and I set it all aside. Now, with progressive lens, I could stitch again, but I use my free time for writing.

Christina: I can understand. I’d rather be writing too. Sometimes I use crafting projects to jumpstart my creativity.

I’ve enjoyed getting to know you, Terri.

I need to ask because every writer gets asked this question, are you a Plotter or Pantser?

Terri: More Pantser than Plotter, but I have an idea where the story is going and a list of happenings to include.

Thank you so much for sharing a bit of yourself today! I look forward to reading your book Seashells In My Pocket!

To connect with Terri and learn more about her books please check out her website:

Website: http://www.terriwangard.com

To find her books on Scrivenings:

https://scrivenings.link/seashellsinmypocket

To connect with Terri on social media check out these links!

Facebook: www.facebook.com/AuthorTerriWangard

Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/terriwangard