1) Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into writing?
– I’ve been writing on and off since birth, probably since my mom is a writer, but I really started taking myself seriously in 2011. It’s not easy to get published nor build a fan base, but I can’t imagine life without writing. To paraphrase a famous movie line, writing completes me.
2) What inspired you to write your book?
– I was inspired by a dream in which I met a ghost who was saying all the things she planned to do. I said, “But…you’re dead!!” and she responded that just because she was dead didn’t mean she couldn’t still make a difference.
3) What theme or message do you hope readers will take away from your book?
– I hope they realize that nothing is ever truly hopeless, that there is always someone to call for help, and that they should always live as honestly and openly as possible because you never know what’s going to happen.
4) What drew you into this particular genre?
– I have to again thank my mother. She has been talking to me about ghosts and supernatural phenomena since I was a kid. And while I’m not someone who desires to see a ghost, I’m endlessly fascinated with reading about paranormal experiences.
5) If you could sit down with any character in your book, what would you ask them and why?
– My first thought was that I’d shake J.T. and say, “HOW COULD YOU BE SO MEAN TO SYLVIA??? HOW??” However, I know exactly why he did it (and he tells the reader, too), though it still upsets me a lot as someone who experienced her fair share of bullying.
6) What social media site has been the most helpful in developing your readership?
– I am HORRIBLE with social media so it hasn’t helped at all, to my knowledge, because I’m only on there once a week for five seconds! That said, I love putting out a monthly newsletter. If anyone wants book reviews and tales of the supernatural, reach out to me at wendracolleen@wendracolleen.com
7) What advice would you give to aspiring or just starting authors out there?
– The only way you fail is by quitting! Whether you go traditional or go indie, GIVE IT ALL YOU’VE GOT. Join critique groups, get beta readers, submit to magazines, query agents, try it ALL, see what WORKS. And just keep writing!
8) What does the future hold in store for you? Any new books/projects on the horizon?
– Yes, I will be putting out a third book next October called MYTHFITS:
When Michael transforms from human to random shapeshifter and joins a tribe of monster misfits, he only wants to be human again. But when a group mortally threatens his best monster friend, he gets to know a human female vet to gain intelligence on them, leading him to question being human versus monster as he races to help the tribe he once tried to flee.
About the Author
Wendra Colleen’s motto is “Embrace your weirdness.” Her dark and humorous short stories, screenplays, and novels show how unique, unusual, and unconventional individuals transform adversity into empowerment. Funky facts include that she has a PhD in experimental psychology and deployed to the Iraq War as a civilian, all of which was a breeze compared to learning how to embrace her unique, unusual, and unconventional qualities in high school. Want to learn more about Wendra’s work, how to be a writer, or how to be empowered? Check out www.wendracolleen.com
Social Media: @wendracolleen.bsky.social [I’m also on FB and Insta, but I really prefer Bluesky]
