Featured Writer on Wellness: Sandra Wagner-Wright

Before I became a writer, I was a reader who enjoyed historical fiction more than other novels or non-fiction.

In middle school, I enjoyed books written by Jean Plaidy, (one of Eleanor Burford Hibbert’s several pen names), because she depicted her characters as real people rather than names in a history book.

Plaidy’s stories inspired both my love of history and my quest to go beyond facts and documents to uncover the people who lived their lives to the best of their ability — to find what I call “the spaces in between.”

The Close of My Academic Career Opened the Door to My Writing Career

History fascinated me so much, I earned a doctoral degree and went on to teach at the University of Hawaii. However, writing academic history doesn’t allow much wiggle room for character development.

The close of my academic career opened the door to my writing career. I choose the topic, follow where it leads, and assemble my puzzle pieces to create the story.

My first book, Rama’s Labyrinth, began as part of an academic project on women’s history in India. The lead for my second book, Two Coins, came out of my research on the first. My most recent book, Saxon Heroines, picked up on questions I asked myself when I first visited Whitby Abbey over twenty years ago.

By happy coincidence, all these books called for research in Britain and/or India. COVID-19 blocked off research travel for my current project. Fortunately, I have research notes I took in Salem, Massachusetts some time ago and these provide a foundation for my current project until I can visit Salem again, hopefully in spring 2022. (In case you’re wondering, my current project doesn’t involve witches.)

I Was Reluctant to Add Marketing Activities to My Life, but I’ve Come to Enjoy Them

As much as possible, I block off my afternoons for writing and matters related to writing. I have a presence on social media, a website (including a weekly blog), and various other marketing aspects that require my attention.

I was reluctant to add these activities to my life, but I’ve come to enjoy them.

In particular, the weekly blog is gives me a sense of accomplishment when my work-in-progress seems stuck.

That being said, I don’t spend as much time on marketing as I should, because it will absorb as much time as I let it, and takes me away from writing.

I Decided Self-Publishing Was a Better Fit for Me

I decided self-publishing is a better fit for me than pursuing agents and publishers, whose first goal is book sales.

I work with a line editor, a copy editor, an interior designer, and a cover designer to produce a professional product with a good story.

With each book, the process becomes easier.

My Writing Space Has Windows that Help Me Rest My Eyes

Sometimes people ask what sort of writing space I have.

My present space has windows in front. On a clear day, I can rest my eyes by looking over my external computer monitor to view a sliver of ocean and a lot of sky. Even on cloudy days, I rest my eyes every ten to fifteen minutes.

I also have computer glasses that reduce glare from the screen’s blue light. I arrange my monitor so I can look straight at it rather than having to bend my neck down. (Read more: 7 Easy Ways to Protect Your Vision from Damaging Blue Light.)

If I Don’t Take Walking Breaks, My Hips Get Stiff

I’m a stickler for sitting up straight with my hands at the proper keyboard position. I use an ergonomic chair most of the time.

I try to get up about once an hour to walk around, though sometimes I get absorbed and forget. This is always a mistake, because if I don’t take walking breaks, my hips get stiff.

In the morning, before I go to my writing space, I do some sort of exercise. If it isn’t raining, I take an exercise walk for half an hour. I practice yoga four to five times a week, and lift small free weights a couple times a week.

This may sound like I’m an exercise fanatic which isn’t the case. My routine simply keeps my body and mind fit.

As an added bonus, the answer to a problematic plot point often makes an appearance while I’m absorbed in an activity. Thank goodness for voice memos.

Writers Are In It for the Long Haul

Writing is hard, joyful work.

It happens every day until the research is done, the story works, and the last edit is made. It happens in solitude. And it happens when the writer doesn’t give up on herself or her characters.

Writers are in it for the long haul. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

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Sandra Wagner-Wright holds the doctoral degree in history and taught women’s history at the University of Hawaii for over twenty years.

She lives in Hilo, Hawaii with her family. She enjoys travel almost as much as writing and returned from a safari in Rwanda the day before lockdown.

For more information on Sandra and her work, please see her website and Amazon author page, and connect with her Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Goodreads.

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Saxon Heroines:

“…dramatically gripping novel…A captivating account of the lives of extraordinary women in perilous times.” — Kirkus Reviews

Seventh century England is a hodgepodge of warring Anglo-Saxon states filled with shifting alliances and treacherous grabs for royal power.

Kings rise and fall, depending on Woden’s Luck.

Northumbria, the damp kingdom north of the River Humber, is a state riven with rivalries and kings determined to expand at any cost. Women have no obvious role in a warrior society, but by using their wits, four women—two queens and two abbesses—make monumental changes.

Available at Amazon.

Two Coins

Recognized by Kirkus Reviews as one of the Best Books of 2019.

After ten years of hard work growing the mission, raising funds and educating women, Mary’s career is now in ruins.

With nothing to lose, she takes her case to the Calcutta High Court and sues Hastie for malicious libel. A woman publicly suing a man! It’s just the type of scandal that sells lots of newspapers.

Based on actual events, Two Coins takes readers into Justice William Norris’ steamy courtroom in the middle of monsoon season. The scandal engulfs the entire missionary community, destroying almost everyone involved. Will Mary prevail?

Available at Amazon.