House Of Mystery Interview: Deborah Wilde
- Jun 8
- 3 min read
By Alan R. Warren and Michael Hawley
Q: Welcome to the House of Mystery. Who’s joining you today?
A: I’m Alan R. Warren, and my co-host today is Michael Hawley.
Q: Michael, what’s new with you?
A: I’ve gotten into astronomy again. I bought a Celestron telescope, and I’m excited to start taking pictures of space.
Q: What sparked that interest?
A: It was my first love as a teenager. Now that I’m retired, I’m getting back into it.
Q: Let’s introduce today’s guest. Who are we speaking with?
A: We’re joined by Deborah Wilde, author of the Magic After Midlife series. Her latest book, Aces of Shades, is book seven in the series.
Q: Deborah, have you always been a writer?
A: I’ve always written, but I didn’t think it was a real job. I actually started as a screenwriter and did that for about 12 years in Canada. When the industry changed, I pivoted to novel writing—and my first urban fantasy book became an Amazon bestseller.
Q: What advice would you give to new writers?
A: Finish your first draft—that’s the most important thing. Also, focus on the joy of writing and the connection with readers. Even with challenges like AI, there’s still a lot of opportunity in the industry.
Q: How do you classify your writing?
A: I’m an urban fantasy writer. My stories involve magic, mystery, and romance, with a humorous tone inspired by old Hollywood banter.
Q: Do you follow traditional fantasy rules or create your own?
A: I honor genre conventions, but I also make sure I’m adding something new. I won’t write about something—like vampires—until I feel I have a fresh take.
Q: What’s the premise of Magic After Midlife?
A: It follows Miriam Feldman, a 42-year-old woman who suppressed her magic after her parents were murdered. When her best friend goes missing, she’s forced to embrace her powers again and reclaim her strength.
Q: Where did the character of Miriam come from?
A: She was inspired by a conversation about women in their 40s being seen as less desirable. I wanted to challenge that idea and create a strong, compelling heroine.
Q: How did this genre come about?
A: Around 2020, a group called the Fab 13 created “paranormal women’s fiction,” which features heroines over 40. It resonated strongly with readers, especially Gen X.
Q: How do you structure your series?
A: Each book has a self-contained main plot, but there are ongoing subplots—usually a romance and a personal storyline—that span the entire series.
Q: Do you plan everything?
A: A bit of both. I know the major arcs, but individual books evolve as I go.
Q: Are there deeper themes in your books?
A: Yes, themes like grief, forgiveness, and personal growth. But first and foremost, the goal is entertainment.
Q: How violent are your stories?
A: Not very. They’re fairly PG in terms of violence.
Q: How do you approach writing villains?
A: I see them as the hero of their own story. I try to make their motivations understandable and relatable.
Q: Does humor come naturally to you?
A: Yes. I grew up in a household that used humor to cope with everything, so it’s a natural part of my writing style.
Q: How do you experience your characters?
A: I hear their voices very clearly, and they often surprise me or go off script.
Q: Do you ever act out scenes while writing?
A: Apparently, yes—I talk to myself and make faces when writing in public!
Q: Do you draw inspiration from real people?
A: Absolutely. I love people-watching and eavesdropping. I also borrow traits and dialogue from people I know.
Q: How long did it take to write this series?
A: About two years for all seven books.
Q: Does writing a series change you?
A: Yes, while I’m writing it. I experience the emotions deeply. But once it’s done, I tend to move on and let it go.
Q: Do you miss your characters after finishing a series?
A: Not really, but I still care about them. I feel their story is complete.
Q: What happens to your characters after the series ends?
A: I like to think they go on living their best lives.
Q: What’s next for you?
A: I have a new series coming out in October called Golem for Broke, about a woman running a magical fixer agency.
Q: Where can readers find your books?
A: On my website, deborahwildebooks.com, as well as major retailers like Amazon, Kobo, Apple, and Barnes & Noble. They’re also available in ebook, paperback, and audiobook formats.
Q: Any final thoughts?
A: Thank you for having me—it’s been a pleasure.
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