Writing Stories That Last: A Conversation with Susan Wiggs
Jul 02, 2025
When bestselling author Susan Wiggs joined me for a conversation, it felt like catching up with an old friend—because it was. We met years (and years) ago while both nurturing our storytelling dreams, and since then, Susan has gone on to write over 50 novels that have touched millions of readers around the world.
In this conversation, Susan shares the secrets behind stories that connect, how she organizes her creative life, and why her upcoming novel, Wayward Girls, might be one of her most powerful yet.
Watch the interview on YouTube
Listen to the interview on the Writing & Influence Podcast
Elaine: Susan, you’ve written so many stories that connect deeply with readers. What do you believe nonfiction writers can borrow from fiction writers to make their work more powerful?
Susan: Even the driest topics can transform through storytelling. Back in graduate school, I realized that many papers were inaccessible and dry. So, I started applying fiction techniques to nonfiction, adding tension, creating curiosity, and most importantly, eliciting emotion. Even if you’re writing a report, if you can make it matter on more than one level—intellectual, emotional, social—you’re inviting your reader to care.
Elaine: Your books also have such a vivid sense of place. Can nonfiction writers benefit from adding more description?
Susan: Absolutely. Description brings any scene to life, whether you’re writing about a historical event or a conference room. I love using sensory details and even synesthesia—activating multiple senses at once. For example, describing a “green wind” while standing in a field of cut grass helps the reader feel the moment. The more sensory involvement you give your reader, the deeper the connection.
Elaine: You mentioned that you write longhand instead of on the computer. I’m so astonished. Can you share why that works for you?
Susan: I started writing longhand as a kid, and I’ve never really outgrown it. Writing on a computer comes with so many distractions, and I’ve found I’m more focused when it’s just me and my notebook. It’s messier, but it forces me to be present with the story. Later, I dictate my handwritten pages into my phone and email them to myself to transcribe. It’s not glamorous, but it keeps the words flowing.
Elaine: Many first-time writers get stuck on how to organize their day to include time to write. How do you make time for your writing?
Susan: We all think someone else has the secret! When I was teaching, I had discipline built into my day, writing during lunch breaks, weekends, and summers. As a full-time writer, it’s more of a challenge to create that structure for myself. I aim for writing five days a week, blocking out distractions where I can, even if it’s not on a strict schedule. At the end of the day, there’s no shortcut. You have to get the words on the page.
Elaine: Let’s talk about your new book, Wayward Girls. Can you share how your visit to a church led to discovering the story behind this novel?
Susan: My brother and I visited our childhood church in Buffalo, New York, and the scent of the incense triggered a memory of him as an altar boy. His sleeve caught on fire as he walked up the aisle. That moment took me down a research rabbit hole into the Magdalene Laundries in the U.S., places where young girls were hidden away and forced into labor under harsh conditions. I found a Facebook group of survivors who shared their stories, and their resilience deeply moved me. Wayward Girls follows these women from 1968 into their adult lives, showing their journey toward healing and justice.
Elaine: Many of your books carry themes of belonging, resilience, and healing. Why are these themes so important to your stories?
Susan: I’m glad you noticed that. Stories are about transformation, and I want my characters to gain wisdom and strength by the end of the journey. In Wayward Girls, readers will see not just one, but several women’s lives unfold over decades, showing how they navigate challenges, heal, and find belonging. It’s not always an easy journey, but it’s one that feels real and meaningful.
Elaine: Do you already know what’s next for you after Wayward Girls?
Susan: I’m at that exciting, and a bit terrifying, blank page stage. I’m leaning toward writing another sister-focused story, inspired by my own relationship with my sister, who lives in Australia. Sister stories have always drawn me in, and I think it’s time to explore that again in my writing.
Elaine: I love that. You’ve even found story inspiration in adopting your rescue dog, Doug, which led to The 12 Dogs of Christmas. How do everyday moments inspire your stories?
Susan: Everyday moments are where stories live. When we adopted Doug, he came from Texas in a pet transport van, and picking him up in a parking lot with all those excited families inspired The 12 Dogs of Christmas. Whether it’s caregiving for my parents, traveling with my husband in our camper, or chatting with a stranger, I stay open to moments that spark curiosity. Writers learn to pay attention to that gut feeling that says, “There’s a story here.”
Elaine: Outside of writing, what feeds your creativity?
Susan: Friends and family are everything to me. We live on an island in Washington, so we spend time exploring Puget Sound with our boat and hiking with our rescue dogs. We also love to travel, both in the U.S. and abroad. Staying open to everyday experiences fuels my creativity and keeps the stories coming.
Elaine: Speaking of places that feel like home, do you have a favorite bookstore?
Susan: Liberty Bay Books in Poulsbo, Washington, is my favorite. It’s owned by my best friend, children’s author Suzanne Selfors. It’s a small, welcoming space that feels like home, and I love the warmth and personal connection that independent bookstores offer.
Elaine: Looking back, what advice would you give to your younger, storytelling self?
Susan: Trust yourself more. Don’t let critics slow you down, and don’t cling to the past when life is pulling you forward. Writers are naturally divergent thinkers, questioning every path, but at some point, you have to trust your voice and keep going.
Susan’s upcoming novel, Wayward Girls, launches on July 15 and is available for pre-order now. If you believe in the power of stories to transform and heal, this book belongs on your reading list.
✨ Follow Susan on Instagram for behind-the-scenes glimpses of her writing life, travels, and the rescue dogs who inspire her stories.
