Behind the story of Charleston Conundrum

Stacy Wilder writes mysteries, children’s stories, short stories, and poetry. Her debut novel, Charleston Conundrum, is the first in the Conundrum mystery series. 

Writing for a cause

Stacy said each book in the Conundrum series has a subplot around the homeless, both people and pets. “Charleston Conundrum has a homeless woman who is schizophrenic. I had a brother-in-law who was schizophrenic and could have easily ended up on the streets. National Alliance on Mental Illness was a lifesaver for my mother-in-law. It’s a very personal subject for me. Honestly, I cannot say that I decided to write the book. The ideas just came and refused to be ignored. The opening lines of chapter one came to me one morning while my husband and I were on vacation.”

“My writing is directly connected to my faith,” Stacy said. “Connecting with other creative spirits and programs such as the Artist’s Way were pivotal to my journey. My mission is to deliver a delightful story to readers of all ages while benefiting a larger community. I donate a portion of the proceeds from the sales of my books to causes that support wildlife conservation, and the homeless, both people and pets.  For Charleston Conundrum, I’m donating to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).”

Getting to know Stacy

“I’m self-schooled, and I had to get over that. I don’t have an MFA. I developed my writing skills through Master Class Courses, connecting with other authors, and various webinars. I still have a lot to learn. One wall in my workspace is painted with a special dry erase paint. I currently have the plot for Carmel Conundrum plastered all over it!”

In fact, Stacy’s most enjoyable research trip was to Carmel-by-the-Sea. “I loved visiting Tor House and Hawk Tower, the former home of poet Robinson Jeffers and his wife Una. The location is the setting for a scene in Carmel. One challenge is doing justice to describing these amazing tourist destinations!”

Learn more about Stacy Wilder at www.storystacy.com/ . Did you like this interview? If so, click here to read more Behind the Story interviews from your favorite authors or follow me on Twitter.