The following is an interview with Carter Wilson regarding the upcoming release of the thriller novel, The Father She Went to Find. In this interview, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief Barbra Dillon chats with Wilson about his creative experience in bringing the world and characters to life on the page, what he hopes that readers may take away from the story, and more!
Barbra Dillon, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief: Congratulations on the upcoming release of The Father She Went to Find! For those who may be unfamiliar, how would you describe the book’s premise?
Carter Wilson: Absolutely. The year is 1987 and the story follows 21-year-old Penny Bly, who became a savant through physical trauma at the age of six. She has incredible mental abilities and has spent most of her life living at an institute where they study her brain and provide schooling. Penny’s father left the family at the time of her accident, and his only contact is an annual birthday card he sends to her (with no return address). On her 21st birthday, he sends Penny one last card, telling her he won’t be writing her anymore. But this card does have a return address, and Penny sets out to find him on her own, even though she’s never ventured into “the real world” in her life.
BD: How would you describe your creative process in crafting each new psychological thriller? It’s always thrilling to follow your stories as the reader, but I would imagine that crafting the narrative and staying 3 steps ahead of your reader is quite the challenge!
CW: I don’t think too much about the plot as I’m writing; in fact, I never outline. I begin with a scene that I find interesting, then see where it takes me. The story simply unfolds to me, one chapter at a time, and I don’t worry much about structure. Once the first draft is done I take it all in, and then the real work begins in the editing. In short, I simply hope my subconscious is working as I write the draft, and then I get technical about the story and structure in the editing. The thing about not outlining is that the surprises are always surprise to me, as well!
BD: At Fanbase Press, our #StoriesMatter initiative endeavors to highlight the impact that stories can have on audiences of various mediums. How do you feel that Penny’s story may connect with and impact readers?
CW: Penny is one of the most original characters I’ve ever written, and, in fact, she’s one of only 75 people with acquired savant syndrome in the world; however, in many ways she’s highly relatable. She’s insecure, has a profound fear of abandonment, and simply wants to be loved by her father. I’m hoping readers will connect to Penny’s struggles and joys, her humanity, despite the fact she can come off as almost robotic with her extreme mental capabilities and lack of social interactions.
BD: Are there any upcoming projects on which you are currently working that you would like to share with our readers?
CW: My next book releases January 2025 and is titled Tell Me What You Did. It follows two weeks in the life of Poe Webb, a successful true-crime podcaster who is being hunted by a man claiming to be responsible for her mother’s murder seventeen years earlier.
BD: Lastly, what is the best way for our readers to find more information about The Father She Went to Find and your other work?
CW: Yes, thank you, the best way to find information from me is at carterwilson.com.
