The Physicality of Fiction: Susan Wiggs on Wayward Girls, Handwriting, and Processing Hard Truths

In this episode of Chapter Chat, we sit down with bestselling author Susan Wiggs to celebrate the paperback release of her deeply resonant novel, Wayward Girls. Susan opens up about the passionate, specific feedback she has received from readers and shares her unique creative process, from the grounding ritual of handwriting her first drafts to how she physically transitions when writing about traumatic themes. We also explore the striking parallels between how novelists and journalists decompress and process the heavy, emotional stories they are responsible for telling.

Sit back, relax and enjoy Chapter Chat. Hosted by news anchor and avid reader Jessica Foster, Chapter Chat explores the inner workings of the literary world. Episodes will have a combination of best-selling author interviews and discussions of trending literary topics.

Whether you love to read a good book or aspire to write one, you'll find these discussions enjoyable. The Chapter Chat Podcast is an expansion of a WJHG/WECP-TV initiative to share the love of reading with the community. Chapter Chat was awarded the prestigious National Association of Broadcasters Service to America award in 2023.

The initiative began as a monthly book club that encouraged viewers to read along with a selected book and then meet up at the local library to discuss with the news team. Reporters and anchors also visit schools to read to children. The idea is that if children see the adults around them reading, they will learn to love it as well.