Author Stacy Willingham
In this episode, host Samantha Cieslinski interviews Stacey Willingham, a bestselling author of suspense and psychological thrillers. They discuss Stacey's writing process, her journey to becoming a published author, and the inspiration behind her books. Stacey shares her love for the thriller genre and her fascination with the psychological aftermath of a crime. They also explore the creation of strong female characters and the importance of not always taking one's own advice. Overall, this conversation provides insights into the world of suspenseful storytelling and the challenges and triumphs of being an author. In this conversation, author Stacy Willingham discusses various aspects of her books, including the challenges of giving and taking advice, the symbolism behind the titles of her books, the exploration of motherhood and sleep deprivation in her novels, and the unique elements of her upcoming book 'Only If You're Lucky.' She also shares insights into crafting an unreliable narrator, the influence of true crime podcasts, and the themes of memory loss and self-doubt in her work. Overall, Willingham's books offer psychological depth and explore the complexities of human emotions and relationships.
Takeaways
The symbolism in book titles can be inspired by various elements within the story.
Exploring the emotional and psychological aspects of motherhood can create a terrifying narrative.
Sleep deprivation can lead to memory loss and self-doubt, adding depth to a story.
True crime podcasts can serve as a platform for storytelling and moral exploration.
Crafting an unreliable narrator can create suspense and intrigue for readers.
The upcoming book 'Only If You're Lucky' offers a unique take on the murder mystery genre.
College experiences can be formative and nostalgic, making them compelling settings for stories.
The fourth book by Stacy Willingham is currently in progress and promises to be different yet familiar to her previous works.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Stacey Willingham
01:32 Wine and Whine of the Week
06:38 Staying Active and Motivated
08:49 Struggles in Staying Healthy and Fit
11:19 University of Georgia's 40 Under 40
12:28 Favorite Restaurant in Charleston
15:21 Getting into Writing
18:35 Debut Novel and Overcoming Rejection
19:58 Love for Thriller Genre
20:47 Creating Strong Female Characters
22:47 Approach to Creating Twisty Plots
27:39 Reception of Debut Novel
28:45 Exploring Psychological Aftermath of a Crime
30:54 Impact of Trauma on Main Character
32:22 Importance of Not Taking Her Own Advice
33:28 Giving Advice vs. Taking Advice
34:08 Difficulty in Acting Rationally During Traumatic Events
34:53 The Symbolism of Lightning Bugs in 'A Flicker in the Dark'
35:22 Choosing the Title 'A Flicker in the Dark'
36:14 Changing the Title of 'All the Dangerous Things'
37:07 Exploring the Emotional and Psychological Aspect of Motherhood in 'All the Dangerous Things'
38:29 The Inspiration Behind 'All the Dangerous Things'
39:20 Crafting an Unreliable Narrator in 'All the Dangerous Things'
40:19 The Influence of Sleep Deprivation on the Narrative of 'All the Dangerous Things'
42:35 The Role of True Crime Podcasts in 'All the Dangerous Things'
46:13 Memory Loss and Self-Doubt in 'All the Dangerous Things'
48:37 Sneak Peek of 'Only If You're Lucky'
54:37 What Sets 'Only If You're Lucky' Apart
57:36 Upcoming Fourth Book
Takeaways
The symbolism in book titles can be inspired by various elements within the story.
Exploring the emotional and psychological aspects of motherhood can create a terrifying narrative.
Sleep deprivation can lead to memory loss and self-doubt, adding depth to a story.
True crime podcasts can serve as a platform for storytelling and moral exploration.
Crafting an unreliable narrator can create suspense and intrigue for readers.
The upcoming book 'Only If You're Lucky' offers a unique take on the murder mystery genre.
College experiences can be formative and nostalgic, making them compelling settings for stories.
The fourth book by Stacy Willingham is currently in progress and promises to be different yet familiar to her previous works.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Stacey Willingham
01:32 Wine and Whine of the Week
06:38 Staying Active and Motivated
08:49 Struggles in Staying Healthy and Fit
11:19 University of Georgia's 40 Under 40
12:28 Favorite Restaurant in Charleston
15:21 Getting into Writing
18:35 Debut Novel and Overcoming Rejection
19:58 Love for Thriller Genre
20:47 Creating Strong Female Characters
22:47 Approach to Creating Twisty Plots
27:39 Reception of Debut Novel
28:45 Exploring Psychological Aftermath of a Crime
30:54 Impact of Trauma on Main Character
32:22 Importance of Not Taking Her Own Advice
33:28 Giving Advice vs. Taking Advice
34:08 Difficulty in Acting Rationally During Traumatic Events
34:53 The Symbolism of Lightning Bugs in 'A Flicker in the Dark'
35:22 Choosing the Title 'A Flicker in the Dark'
36:14 Changing the Title of 'All the Dangerous Things'
37:07 Exploring the Emotional and Psychological Aspect of Motherhood in 'All the Dangerous Things'
38:29 The Inspiration Behind 'All the Dangerous Things'
39:20 Crafting an Unreliable Narrator in 'All the Dangerous Things'
40:19 The Influence of Sleep Deprivation on the Narrative of 'All the Dangerous Things'
42:35 The Role of True Crime Podcasts in 'All the Dangerous Things'
46:13 Memory Loss and Self-Doubt in 'All the Dangerous Things'
48:37 Sneak Peek of 'Only If You're Lucky'
54:37 What Sets 'Only If You're Lucky' Apart
57:36 Upcoming Fourth Book
