Happy 65th Birthday, Susan Wiggs!

May 17, 2024 · by Anne Caroline Drake · in Book Review. ·

Y’all know that Susan Wiggs is my most favorite author. Her books take up two shelves in my library. It all started with a sticker on Enchanted Afternoon at Costco indicating she was a local author. I was immediately hooked because she writes about intelligent, self-sufficient, empowered women who aren’t waiting for a knight on a white horse to rescue them. Ironically, the book was about a group of women who pooled their resources to create Moon Lake Lodge for women fleeing domestic violence.

Just Breathe is about how Sarah Moon left her emotionally and financially abusive husband and decamped to Drake’s Bay near San Franciso to cobble back together the shattered pieces of her life. It is one of my many favorite Susan Wiggs’ books.

The first time I met Susan was at the Field’s End writing conference on Bainbridge Island which is home to many NYT best-selling authors who generously shared their secrets. She inspired me with her generosity, wit, charm, and brilliance.

In 2009, I started this blog to assess whether there was sufficient interest to market a book about the best practices of people who had survived violence against women or child abuse and gone on to thrive and find joy. Field’s End taught me how to write a book proposal. Sadly, I realized that I didn’t have the resources or energy to get it published. Last month, my blog which was started with a $15 investment in WordPress reached the one million international visitor milestone. We aren’t alone, eh?

Meanwhile, Susan got married to the wonderful Jerry Gundersen after writing How I Planned Your Wedding with her lovely daughter Elizabeth. I was thrilled when I heard that Hallmark planned to introduce the movie The Secrets of Bella Vista based on her books The Apple Orchard and The Beekeeper’s Ball. By this time, Susan was grandmother to Clara Louise.

Four generations of amazing women: Lou Klist (Susan’s mother), Susan, Clara Louise, and Elizabeth

The Oysterville Sewing Circle felt like it was my story. It was written in the era of #MeToo and featured hero capes which were designed by her husband Jerry. Susan coined #WithYou and kicked sand in the judge’s eyes. Loved it! Although I rarely write posts now that I’m retired, I’m still reading and loving Susan’s brilliant books.