Interview with Sandra Wagner-Wright, Author of The Life & Times of Sarah Good, Accused Witch

What’s the story behind the story? What inspired you to write The Life & Times of Sarah Good, Accused Witch?

Books 1 & 2 in my Salem Stories series focus on the Derby & Crowninshield families in Salem, MA. But finishing Book 2, I realized that a series called Salem Stories could not ignore the witchcraft frenzy. So, I began looking at the many people affected by this tragedy. Ultimately, I found Sarah Good’s experiences to be the most compelling story I could tell.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of The Life & Times of Sarah Good, Accused Witch, what would they be?

“Nobody Knows the Trouble I’ve Seen” for Sarah Good.

What’s your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

I enjoy reading well-researched historical fiction by authors like Philippa Gregory, Stephanie Dray & Hilary Mantel. I’m also intrigued by the world-building found in fantasy fiction.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

“All the Light We Cannot See” by Anthony Doerr; “The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America’s Great Migration” by Isabel Wilkerson; “Boleyn Traitor: A Thrilling Story of Ambition, Power, & the Dark Side of the Tudor Court” by Philippa Gregory

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

The scene I most enjoyed writing is the first scene in Chapter 17. Constable George Herrick’s assistants woke him in the middle of the night because they believed their prisoner had escaped while they were sleeping. So they return to the barn only to discover Sarah Good nursing her infant. When confronted, Sarah says she let herself out while her guards slept. But she had nowhere to go, so she returned to the barn. Humor can often be found in the midst of tragedy.

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

When I lay out a story, I am obsessed with timelines in the historical record & the life arcs of my characters.

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

“Sometimes your joy is the source of our smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.” –Thich Nhat Hanh

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

Fear & ambition can quickly merge into a mob frenzy that destroys lives.

Sandra Wagner-Wright is the author of the new book The Life & Times of Sarah Good, Accused Witch

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