Author Spotlight: Wanda E. Brunstetter

Wanda E. Brunstetter is the author of over 100 books with more than 12 million copies sold.  I've had the privilege to share many of these books here on this blog but today, I'm thrilled to share this Author Spotlight!

            

Wanda E. Brunstetter's newest released book is The Rise and Fall of Miss Fannie's Biscuits (co-authored with Martha Bolton). 

Fun Fact about this book: It will be adapted into a musical set to premier in April 2025 in Lancaster, PA!

It will also open in Shipshewana, IN on July 1st at The Blue Gate Theater!

Question #1:  We have several new Club members joining your Clippity Clop Club this year. Would you be able to give a brief summary of your writing career and its highlights for you?

I began writing when I was a child. I loved to read ad began writing poems and short stories. As an adult, after taking my first writing course, I began writing fiction stories and non-fiction articles for publication. Following another writing course, I submitted my first novel to Barbour Publishing for their Heartsong Presents Book Club. After publishing several more Heartsongs, Barbour opened up their trade fiction line. I submitted a 3-book series entitled, Daughters of Lancaster County that was about the kidnapping of an Amish baby.  It sold well and made the New York Times Best-seller’s List soon after it came out. The rest is pretty much history, and I’ve been writing for Barbour Publishing exclusively for nearly 30 years. One of the highlights in my writing career has been seeing two of my books turned into musical plays, with a third play opening soon, based on my co-authored novel, The Rise and Fall of Miss Fannie’s Biscuits. The new musical will open this spring in Bird-in-Hand, Pennsylvania, and again in July at the Blue Gate Theatre in Shipshewana, Indiana.

Almost 30 years with Barbour Publishing!  What an accomplishment!!

Question #2: Who have been some memorable people you have met over your writing career

It’s been a thrill for me to meet many authors, but three in particular made an impact on me by their humble attitudes and obvious love for people. Among them are Janette Oke, Karen Kingsbury, and Nicholas Sparks. Although Nicholas does not write inspirational fiction, the fact that he was willing to spend thirty minutes visiting with me and answering several of my questions meant a lot and spoke volumes. One thing I came away with after meeting him was the fact that he genuinely cares about his family as well as those who read his books, and even people like me whom he’d never met until our paths crossed during an author signing event where he was the keynote speaker.

 

 

Wanda with  Nicholas Sparks
                                                                       

Janette Oke and Karen Kingsbury also took the time to visit with me, and after just a few minutes of talking to them, I knew we were kindred spirits, who not only have a passion for writing, but care deeply about the people who read our novels. 

Question #3: When Martha Bolton approached you about writing The Rise and Fall of Miss Fannie’s Biscuits, you were on an extremely busy writing schedule. What made this project so special that you wanted to fit it in? 

First of all, I was excited to hear that Martha wanted Fannie Miller to be one of the leading characters. Since I had created Fannie in my novel, The Quilter’s Daughter, and she’d been included in the musical called “Stolen,” I thought it would be fun to reprise her character in a new storyline. I was also pleased to learn that The Rise and Fall of Miss Fannie’s Biscuits would become a musical play.

Question #4: Besides the Rise and Fall of Miss Fannie's Biscuits, you had other books adapted to musicals (Stolen and Half-Stitched). Can you describe what that process has been like for you?

Although I was not involved in the actual process of creating the musical plays, I was in
correspondence with those who were involved in creating the musical, either before, during, or after the play was written. I also had the privilege of attending the opening of Half-Stitched and Stolen and got to meet many of my readers while signing the book I’d written. 

Wanda with the cast of Half-Stitched the Musical

Question #5: What do you hope readers gain from The Rise and Fall of Miss Fannie's Biscuits?

In addition to the enjoyment of a cute, cozy mystery, I hope readers will find encouragement from the verses of Scripture that are scattered throughout the book and were also an inspiration to the characters who had been dealing with various problems. There are lots of scenarios in the book similar to things we all face in our daily lives.

This is such a fun book but I'm reminded that we can remain useful in all stages of our lives!  Check out my review of The Rise and Fall of Miss Fannie's Biscuits.

Question #6: You broke your arm while on a book tour last summer. Can you give an update for your readers? 

On July 31st during a family reunion in Pennsylvania, I fell and broke my left arm. This was just a few days before my signing tour was supposed to begin. Although I was not able to attend any of those signings, my daughter, Lorine, and daughter-in-law, Jean, who were also on the trip, went to each of the signings in my place. Since our Sisters by the Sea novella collection was available at the events, in which Jean and Lorine had both written a story, they had the opportunity to meet several of my readers and sign copies of that book. For the rest of my books that were available at the signings, they had autographed sticker labels previously signed by me to peel and stick inside each book that was purchased or brought in by readers. Although I felt bad about not being able to be at any of those signings, it was a comfort to know that Lorine and Jean were there to greet my readers, as well as the ones who had read their stories. We remained in Pennsylvania almost two weeks, while I was treated for my injury at an acute rehab center in preparation of the flight home to Washington State. For the kind of break I had, I was given a brace to wear, rather than a cast. It was uncomfortable due to the break and all the swelling that went with it, and I didn’t do well on most of the pills they gave me for pain. When I returned home and saw an orthopedic doctor in the area, I was told that I would need to wear the brace a minimum of 8 weeks. It turned out to be 10 weeks before he would allow me to take it off. Even then, he cautioned me to be careful and said it would be best if I wore the brace whenever I was away from home. Later, after another x-ray of the arm, I was informed that the broken bone had stopped healing and would need some help. So, I began using a bone stimulator for 30 minutes per day and was told that I would probably need to do this for the next 4-6 months. A few weeks after using the stimulator, I had another x-ray and learned that the bone was starting to heal again. I could finally go to out-patient therapy, where the therapist would be allowed to work on the upper portion of my arm. By this time, 5 months after the fall, I had lost a good deal of the range of motion in my left arm. I am able to type, (praise the Lord!), cook, and do some simple chores, but am not supposed to pick up anything heavy. Today I went to therapy for the 2nd time, and will be seen twice weekly for the next 3 months, or possibly more. My goal, and my prayer, is to regain full use of my left arm and get complete range of motion back.  

Question #7: What Bible verse have you been especially drawn to lately?

Proverbs 17:22  (NKJV) is one of my favorite verses: “A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones.”  Over the last two years, beginning with my daughter’s stroke, our family has been faced with one challenge after another. So, looking for things to be joyous about has been an important help in dealing with the issues we’ve faced, and quoting that verse of Scripture regularly has been extremely helpful to me.

Question #8: Besides your website at www.wandabrunstetter.com, where can readers find you online?  

You can also find me on Facebook, where I have a fan page and a friend page; Instagram, Pinterest; YouTube, and X (formerly Twitter).