By Deborah Reed
WKTV Managing Editor
Award-winning local author Susie Finkbeiner wrote her first novel in secret.
“I would sneak out and go to a coffee shop and write for an hour,” said Finkbeiner. “Nobody knew I was writing a novel. Not even my husband.”
Since that first novel, Finkbeiner has written several more, with awards following close behind.
Two-time winner of the Michigan Notable Book Award, a Christy Award Nominee and Selah Award Finalist, Finkbeiner is making waves in the historical fiction genre.
Stories = Love
The Wyoming author is more thrilled to have the opportunity to be a full-time storyteller than she is by awards.
“My family is very story-centric,” said Finkbeiner. “My dad is also a novelist, and he would always tell us stories. My mom would read to us all the time, and do the voices of the characters.”
One of Finkbeiner’s earliest memories is of her big sister reading a story to her.
“When [my siblings] had to practice reading, my mom would send them to read to me,” said Finkbeiner with a laugh. “My big sister reading a story to me, I felt very loved.
“That is the feeling I associate with that memory. So in my mind, sharing stories equates to sharing love.”
That value of books and stories is something Finkbeiner tries to instill in her own children.
Writing in the margins
Finkbeiner was writing plays for a local church and blogging snippets about life when a friend said she should write a novel.
At first, the idea seemed crazy to Finkbeiner. Then… “That little seed of a thought kept growing.”
Chasing after three young children and being employed didn’t leave a lot of time for writing. That time was carved out in quiet moments at coffee shops and while her children were sleeping.
“I would write when they were napping, I would write when they went to bed,” said Finkbeiner. “I really wrote in those margins.”
After finishing the first draft, Finkbeiner thought it might have some potential.
“I never knew if it would go anywhere,” said Finkbeiner. “I got a lot of rejections.”
After several of those rejections, Finkbeiner decided to change course for bit.
What did I get myself into…?
Finkbeiner posted on Facebook, committing to writing as many short stories as she was given ideas for during the month of September.
“I thought I would get three or four,” Finkbeiner said. “I got 32.”
With each story 1,500 words or less, the process taught Finkbeiner how to get to the point, characterization, and about working toward a deadline.
“It stretched me,” said Finkbeiner. “They would paint me in a corner and I had to find my way out. I learned so much.”
But Finkbeiner has no plans to repeat that challenge.
“I don’t know if I could ever do it again. Now that I write such long pieces, 1,500 words sounds like a sprint.”
While Finkbeiner was posting 32 stories in 30 days, an editor was paying attention. Shortly after that short story challenge, Finkbeiner received a request for her novel.
The rest, as the saying goes, is history.
History? No, thank you!
While Finkbeiner’s novels are centered around historic events and times, it took some time for her to embrace the genre.
“My first two novels were contemporary because I didn’t think I could write historical fiction,” said Finkbeiner. “It seemed too daunting to me. In my mind, historical fiction was the 1700s, 1800s, the Civil War. I just didn’t want to reach back that far, so I thought [that genre] wouldn’t be for me.”
Another deterrent was that most historical fiction Finkbeiner saw was centered around romance – a genre she was not comfortable writing.
After reading a novel set in the 1930s, however, Finkbeiner realized she could write a Depression Era book.
“It worked,” said Finkbeiner. “And I realized how much I love the research. The 20th Century is fascinating. So much happened in this very condensed amount of time. And the research is a lot easier to access.”
The author especially enjoys talking to people who have lived experience in certain time periods.
“My dad wrote his memoirs of his time in Vietnam for me to use as research,” said Finkbeiner. “[I talked] to my mom about how she straightened her hair. It helps me feel connected to my grandparents and my parents in a way that I don’t know that I could otherwise.
“It makes me feel empathy for them. You grow to understand what they lived through.”
Anything is possible
“The ideas come in different ways every time,” said Finkbeiner. “It’s the most exciting part.”
The All-American, Finbeiner’s latest release, was inspired by two separate books that she read simultaneously.
“One was about [the author’s] father being accused of being a Communist, and the other was about women playing baseball,” said Finkbeiner. “Then I realized that the timelines met up between those two historical events.
“What’s less American than being accused of being a Communist, and what’s more American than baseball? What would happen if I put those two together?”
Written over two years, The All-American is a coming-of-age novel about two sisters in the 1950s. Finkbeiner’s relatable characters create a moving novel that inspires readers to dream big and believe anything is possible.
A literary legacy
The Library of Michigan Association hailed The All-American as one of 2024’s Michigan Notable Books.
Finkbeiner considers the award a great honor.
“I’ve been the recipient twice, which feels like getting struck by lightning twice – in a good way,” said Finkbeiner. “I think that one is so important to me because I love being a Michigander.”
That the recognition came from the Library of Michigan, and knowing she is part of the literary legacy of Michigan, is also meaningful to Finkbeiner.
“The library, throughout my life, it’s been one of those constant presences,” Finkbeiner said. “Sometimes during difficult times in childhood, I would go to the library and grab some books. Being honored by the library that made me who I am, it’s encouragement to keep going.”
Messages & Misconceptions
The misconception of writers not having contact with people is damaging, said Finkbeiner.
“I’m a noisy introvert,” said Finkbeiner. “I love public speaking. My favorite speaking events are at libraries because you get to meet readers. We really need to know who our readers are, because they are who we’re serving.”
“My novels aren’t just happy and fluffy,” Finkbeiner continued. “Things happen to the people in them. But through it, I always want the reader to know there is hope, that we are not left to despair. We all suffer, we all struggle, but there’s hope in the people around us, in faith, in the way that we can overcome.”
Any messages in Finkbeiner’s novels come organically, and tend to surprise her.
“That’s the beauty of writing and telling stories. Once it’s out there, it’s not mine anymore. It’s the reader’s. That is another reason why I like to meet readers; they always have insights that I would not have thought of.”
Words of wisdom
“There is a lot of rejection,” Finkbeiner said in advice to other writers. “When those rejections come, don’t quit. Sometimes it means it’s provoking them in a way that makes them uncomfortable. That can be good, because they will think about it later.”
Finkbeiner also gives writers permission to not write every day.
“You’ve got to let your mind rest,” said Finkbeiner. “You’ve got to let it wander. You’ve got to take in other art. Writing every day is not good for us. It’s too much hustle, and I don’t think art comes out of hustle.”
No guilt here!
“To readers, I would say that there is no guilty pleasure in reading,” said Finkbeiner. “Don’t let anyone judge you for it. If you like to read many things, go ahead. That’s what the library is there for. And if you don’t like a book, stop reading it.”
Next up: Joy of writing
Finkbeiner is busy writing a novel that is not currently under contract.
“I don’t have a deadline, so I feel a kind of freedom and space to breathe a little bit,” said Finkbeiner, adding that she is simply enjoying the process of writing right now.
Learn more about Susie Finkbeiner and her novels by clicking here.
