Why do you write the genre that you write?
First, I simply love the genre. I love the intellectual exercise of figuring out a puzzle along with the protagonist of the story. But I also write mysteries and thrillers because it offers me the chance to explore themes of hope and redemption through the inhumanity of criminal behavior. I enjoy delving into the human psyche and how it motivates people — who otherwise may be kind, decent and intelligent — to do things that amass pain and trauma on another person.

What’s the quirkiest quirk one of your characters has?
Ellice Littlejohn from All Her Little Secrets HATES chicken and dumplings. Read the book to find out why.

Tell us how you got into writing?
I think I’ve always been a writer and just took the circuitous route to become a novelist. I’ve always journaled and still do every morning before I start my writing day. As a lawyer, I always wrote–memos, briefs, summaries, etc. But I’ve never enjoyed writing as much as I do when I am creating stories in my head and bringing them to life on the page.

What jobs have you held before, during and/or after you became a writer?
My very first job was working in a convenience store as a clerk when I was 13 years old. I was too young to get a work permit so the store owner paid me under the table. During college and summer breaks, I held jobs such as a receptionist, an administrative assistant (we were called secretaries back in the day!), lab tech, and working retail in a women’s clothing store. Professionally, I’ve worked as an accountant, a lawyer and now a full-time writer. My current job is the best one!

Where do you write?
I write in a small room off my living room. I have library envy when I look at other people with large, impeccably decorated rooms with wall-to-wall bookshelves that they modestly call their “study.” #Goals

What is your favorite deadline snack?
I can’t eat when I’m on deadline. I’m too nervous.

Who is an author you admire?
There are too many to name here and I don’t want to leave anyone out because my brain glitches. They already know who they are!

What’s your favorite genre to read?
Of course, mysteries and thrillers. But I read all different genres. I just love books.

What are you reading now?
The Nigerwife by Vanessa Walters, coming out later this spring. It’s an atmospheric mystery about a woman who goes missing in Nigeria and her surrogate mother sets out to find out what happened to her.

What is your favorite beverage to end the day?
Lavender Chamomile tea

What is next for you?
I am working on my third book that is currently untitled. It is about a young woman who returns to her hometown in coastal Georgia after suffering a devastating loss. When she learns that a Black landowner is missing and his very valuable property is being redeveloped, she makes a desperate search to find out what happened to him and others like him. The book deals with themes of Black land ownership and generational wealth and what it means to have a home.

Where can we find you?
Website: wandamorriswrites.com | Twitter: WandaMo14 | Instagram: wandamowrites | Facebook: Wanda Morris Writer

Now to have some fun . . .

Chocolate or vanilla:
ALWAYS chocolate!

Cake or ice cream:
Ice cream

Fruits or vegetables:
Fruit

Breakfast, lunch, or dinner:
Breakfast

Dining in or dining out:
Out (I’m not a very good cook!)

City life or country living:
City

Beach or mountain:
Beach

Summer or winter:
Winter (I like the snow, when there isn’t too much of it!)

Short story or full-length novel:
Full-length novel

Extrovert or introvert:
I’m an extroverted introvert

Early bird or night owl:
Early bird

And even more fun . . .

What is your favorite movie?
I, Voyager. It’s an old 1940s movie starring Bette Davis. The transformation she makes in that movie from timid introvert to a strong capable woman is incredible. It’s a masterclass in characterization.

You are stranded on a deserted island. What are your three must-haves?
My glasses, a great book and a way to get off the island! LOL

My bio:
Wanda M. Morris is the acclaimed author of All Her Little Secrets, which was named as one of the “Best Books of 2021” by Hudson Booksellers and selected as the #1 Top Pick for “Library Reads” by librarians across the country. All Her Little Secrets won the 2022 Lefty Award for Best Debut Mystery Novel. Her new book, Anywhere You Run, was named as One of the Top Ten Crime Fiction Books of 2023 by The New York Times. It has received starred reviews from Kirkus, Publishers Weekly, Booklist and Library Journal. Wanda is a member of Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, Crime Writers of Color and serves on the board of International Thriller Writers. She is married, the mother of three and lives in Atlanta, Georgia.