Where are you from?
I was born in Milford, Mass, but have lived most of my life in California. I currently live in the Bay Area.
Is your name a pen name? If so what inspired you to pick that name?
My name is really Wendy Spinale.
3 facts about yourself?
I know sign language.
I'm a former Disneyland character actress.
I taught group exercise classes and was a personal trainer for 15 years.
What are some of your favorite things in general?
I love Indian cuisine. My favorite movies and tv shows are comedy (we can all use a good laugh these days).
Now let's talk about you as an author...
When did you start writing and what was the first thing you ever wrote?
I've always written. In fact, when you think about it, nearly everyone has been a writer since they put pencil to paper. Professionally, I was an online journalist for a few years before I delved into writing fantasy fiction. EVERLAND was my second completed project. My first is still waiting to find a home.
What inspired you to start writing?
I injured my knee and was unable to continue my career in fitness. I was looking for something to replace my part-time fitness job and found a calling for writers for an online news source. Without much experience I applied with no response. Determined, I wrote up a restaurant review and sent it to them. They called me within hours and hired me. I loved to write, but never really understood the potential in writing until I that day.
What is your writing process? Do you make a timeline first? Or just write what comes to your mind? Do you do a lot of research?
I always research. Most good writers do. My writing process varies with the project. I've plotted out, done character sketches, and have been surrounded by piles of paperwork before I started a project. I've also just sat down and wrote. Often times I find that if I just sit quiet and listen, the words come to me naturally as if they characters are driving the story.
What are some of your favorite authors/favorite reads?
I'm big into YA fiction. Some of my favorites are Marissa Meyer, Veroica Rossi, Adam Silvera, Cassandra Clare.
What do you have planned for the future? Any other book or series ideas?
I'm currently trudging through another project. I'm not sure whether or not it is a stand alone or series yet.
I absolutely loved Everland, I haven't had a chance to read Umberland yet, but I'm dying to. Anyway! Everland is such an interesting twist on Peter Pan.
Where did you get the idea for Everland?
As a former Disneyland actress I knew I wanted to write about the fairytale stories I loved as a kid, but I wanted to make it dark and gritty. When I thought about some of my favorite stories, I realized that they all had a few steampunk elements to begin with (flying ships, clocks, pocket watches, hot air balloons). As I researched, things started to fall into place. Umberland's setting is based in the real Northumberland in England. Alnwick Castle does exist along with it's Poison Garden. In fact, many of the scenes at Hogwarts were filmed at Alnwick Castle. Ozland was a little much of a stretch, but I came up with the idea of placing its setting on the Emerald Isle (Ireland) in place of the Emerald City.
What is your favorite "fairytale" type story? (Peter Pan, Alice in Wonderland, etc.)
Peter Pan will always be my first love.
Which book was your favorite to write?
Interestingly enough, I was going through a personal loss while writing the series. When I look back, each book seems to represent a theme that I was struggling with in my own life. I was a Lost Girl in so many ways during the creation of the books. The EVERLAND series taught me to be brave, to hope, to never give up, and to never surrender to evils of this world. Because of that every book has a unique and special place in my heart.
Do you have any favorite characters?
I can't give you my reasons why since you're only through book one. My son Riley was my inspiration for Gabs, so he was fun to write. Hook is by far my favorite character as far as character development and where his story ended up.
Is there any chance that this book would become a movie? Or a tv series?
There has been interest showed both for movie and tv options, but nothing is decided at this point.
About Wendy as found on her website:I must admit, I have lived an extraordinary life and will forever be grateful for the opportunities I have had.
I was the middle of three kids, my older brother being deaf for as far back as I can remember. At the time, I didn't realize how much that would later impact my life. I was a sign language interpreter for a short time (although I'm extremely rusty now) and taught my kids signs when they were little. Growing up with a hearing impaired brother planted a seed of compassion in me for those with handicaps.
During college I was living in southern California working for Disneyland as a Cast Member in the Entertainment Department. I met my husband there who was also a performer. After four incredible years working with the Mouse, we moved to his hometown in the Bay Area and married.
I eventually got my Bachelor's in Kinesiology and worked in the fitness industry for ten years before a knee injury ended my career. Not sure what to do with my time, I applied to job posting to be an online journalist. I loved writing, but had no experience. I didn't hear back so I wrote up a review about a local restaurant and sent it to them to prove I could do the job. Twenty-four hours later, I was a journalist with AOL Media/Pleasanton Patch.
I spent three great years with them before cut backs forced me without a job again. That's when I started writing my first novel, which went nowhere. Dozens of rejection letters later. I started a second book. A year later I was offered representation by Thao Le from Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency and within another six months I was offered a book deal. Everland (Scholastic) debuted in the Summer of 2016!
Today I live in the Bay Area with three sons who are my biggest fans. While they're off at work and school, I bounce ideas off my four-legged, furry family members, Odie and Alex.
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