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Local award-winning author Susie Finkbeiner gives a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the literary world

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Local author, Susie Finkbeiner, shared literary insights with WKTV Managing Editor Deborah Reed on WKTV Journal Soundbites (Courtesy, WKTV)


By Deborah Reed

WKTV Managing Editor

deborah@wktv.org


(Courtesy, Susie Finkbeiner)

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.

Finkbeiner’s first novel began in a coffee shop (Courtesy, pxhere.com)

“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.

(Courtesy photo)

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.”

Author Susie Finkbeiner on WKTV Journal Soundbites (Courtesy, WKTV)

“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.

Giving your mind rest is necessary for creativity (Courtesy, pxhere.com)

“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.

All the Write Stuff

How-To's, Local Faces, Our Cities, , ,

by Kathryn Gray

 

Have you ever considered the idea of writing an article, a short story, or the Great American novel?

Susie Finkbeiner
Susie Finkbeiner

 

I believe that for many of us there is a writer inside just dying to come out. For many, however, the idea of putting pen to paper remains just that…an idea. Susie Finkbeiner is a local author who followed her dream, having had her first novel “Paint Chips” published in January 2013, who is eagerly awaiting the release of her second book”My Mother’s Camomile” on February 15 this year.  I met with Susie to discuss her path to authorship and the secret of her success.

 

When I think of the word “author” it conjures up images of a wizened old Ernest Hemingway, a primly dressed Jane Austen, or an eerily smiling Stephen King. The image includes the person in a locked office, hunched over a desk with an overflowing ashtray, pounding out page after page on an old typewriter. As a modern writer, Susie Finkbeiner is able to write practically anywhere her laptop can travel; everything she “pens” can be edited and submitted quickly electronically. You will usually find her daily at a local coffee shop, at which she has earned Gold Card status, researching, blogging, or writing her next book. She is disarming with a heart-shaped face, striking blue eyes, and a welcoming smile.

 

Susie Finkbeiner has always had a love of reading and writing. She began writing children’s plays and adult drama skits in her spare time for her church while serving as the Children’s Minister. Finkbeiner had one of her plays “Merry Chrismukkah” published in 2006 by Eldridge Plays. The impetus for writing her first book evolved from life experience. Through her work with groups like Better Way Imports and the Michigan Abolitionist Project, Finkbeiner became passionate about the young women caught up in the world of human trafficking.

 

“I didn’t set out to write a social issue book, “ explains Finkbeiner. The story evolved from being educated about sex trafficking as well as meeting and working with women who had first-hand experience with this modern form of slavery.

 

“Paint Chips” deals with the issues of abuse, betrayal, abandonment, and ultimately redemption. Her extensive character development gave a face and a voice to the manyPaint Chips cover anonymous victims of this crime; exposing this crime takes place not just in far off lands but many times in the community in which we live.When asked if she wrote her first book to evoke a response from her readers, Finkbeiner shakes her head. “I don’t want people to react; I want to encourage thoughtful response and start a dialogue.”

 

After being published by WhiteFire Publishing in January 2013, first as an electronic book, then as a paperback , it seemed that Finkbeiner’s love of writing as a hobby was becoming something more.

My Mother's Chamomile Front

 

Finkbeiner’s second novel, “My Mother’s Camomile ,” was born out of the death of her husband’s grandmother. For Finkbeiner, the entire small-town experience of her husband’s grandmother being ill in the hospital, coming home to die, and the rituals of the whole funeral process were a “growing experience.” Unlike the trafficking issue, everyone has to deal with death. Her research into the life and commitment of funeral directors captured her mind.

 

“These men and women are so caring. They work very hard, in most cases 365 days a year, 24 hours a day on call, to ease the pain of each family’s experience.“ It is not a usual job. Even on a social level people shy away from morticians. They are reminders of the fact that death exists. They see people at their worst, both physically and mentally. Even they see themselves as “different” or “other.”

 

Finkbeiner is a self-described idealist and an eternal optimist. She explains that it comes from her upbringing and the experiences her own family lived through. Her Christian faith plays a strong role in dealing in subject matter that may be challenging or evoke a negative response.

 

“I write from a position of what is and what can be. I am training myself to see hope and beauty in what is,” she explains. Her philosophy is much like that of author Luis Alberto Urrea which is to “find God in the muck and mire.”

 

“You have to look for sweetness in the bitterness. In situations that leave you dry and parched, God will provide an oasis of water; just enough to get you through when you again face the dryness that surrounds you.” Mercy, Finkbeiner believes, is the comic relief that enters no matter what the situation or issue. As with her bright personality, Finkbeiner’s writing does include humor, emotional breaks, and human foibles woven through well-thought out characters.

 

Susie Finkbeiner is a large supporter of others who enjoy writing. She is a founding member of the Kava Writer’s Collective; a group of writers of various backgrounds, ages, and genres who meet to share works in progress and encourage each other. She also has a blog that she contributes to on Tuesdays and Thursdays. She is the first to admit that her path to getting published was unconventional . After sending manuscripts to many publishers and suffering the multiple rejections that many new authors face, it was her blog that actually attracted WhiteFire Publishing. “I was actually contacted by WhiteFire.” says Finkbeiner, “They have a wonderful staff that helped me immensely.” With two books under her belt Finkbeiner is now better equipped to help others approach a career in writing.

 

As a modern day writer, Susie Finkbeiner wrote her first novel as a stay-at-home mom with 3 children under the age of six. “I would just write while they were playing. When it was nice out I would take the laptop with me when we went outside to play.” While writing “My Mother’s Camomile” Finkbeiner took on the task of home schooling her children. An admitted coffee snob, she would grind her own beans, make a pot of coffee, feed the kids, and start their school lessons. With the little ones set up with their assignments and projects, Finkbeiner would go to her office to write. With the full support of her husband, Finkbeiner laughs as she describes her writing as a family effort. “My kids are my biggest cheerleaders!” Today’s authors come from many walks of life, some with busy careers, some who can devote large chunks of time to their craft.

 

When asked if she has advice for others who would like to write, Susie smiles like the Cheshire Cat.

 

1. Read. Read a ton. Read your genre. “If writers don’t read, our craft becomes flabby. Nobody wants flabby prose. Chubby poetry. Muffin-top essays.

 

2. Write. Get it out! Write something every day, even if it is just the word “something.”

 

3. Join a writing community. There are many on-line or in-person.

 

4. Go to conferences. Network with publishers and other writers.

 

5. Research the market. Find out who publishes your genre.

 

Susie Finkbeiner acknowledges that she has grown as a writer exponentially in the past several years. She has also gained valuable insight into the publishing industry. Her confidence is evident in her frank discussion style and her passion to do her best. When asked if the she has another book in the works, Finkbeiner is purposely coy. “I do have a book that was partially written before I started to work on My Mother’s Camomile, but I am not mature enough as a writer to do it justice quite yet.” It is this sense of professionalism and patience that impresses me the most. For Susie Finkbeiner her writing is a continuing journey. From the success of Paint Chips to the anticipated release of My Mother’s Camomile it is clear that writing is no longer a hobby for Susie Finkbeiner, it has become a vocation.