Best-selling author Lisa Wingate speaks at Woman’s Forum
Author Lisa Wingate spoke at the December meeting of the Breckenridge Woman’s Forum, discussing her career and what she enjoys about being a writer.
Wingate’s son and daughter-in-law, Shane and Jenny Wingate, and her only grandchild, Rynlie, live in Breckenridge.
Author Lisa Wingate
She said she was inspired to become a writer by a first-grade teacher, who said she expected to see Lisa’s name in a magazine one day. Wingate also entertained childhood dreams of being an Olympic gymnast and winning the National Finals Rodeo but was stalled by a mental block against backflips on the balance beam and by parents who stubbornly refused to finance a rodeo career.
Wingate told the Woman’s Forum members that she was lucky enough to marry into a big family of Southern tall-tale enthusiasts who never let the truth get in the way of a good story. She writes her novels at home in Texas, where she is part of the Wingate clan of storytellers.
Of all the things she treasures about being a writer, Wingate said she enjoys connecting with people, both real and imaginary, the most.
She is the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller, “Before We Were Yours,” which remained on the bestseller list for over two years and has sold over 3 million copies, and she has penned over 30 novels and co-authored a nonfiction book, “Before and After,” with Judy Christie. Her award-winning works have been selected for state and community One Book reads throughout the country, have been published in over 40 languages, and have appeared on bestseller lists worldwide.
The group Americans for More Civility, a kindness watchdog organization, selected Lisa and six others as recipients of the National Civics Award, which celebrates public figures who work to promote greater kindness and civility in American life. Booklist summed up her work by saying, “Lisa Wingate is, quite simply, a master storyteller.”
More information about her novels can be found at www.lisawingate.com.
The Woman’s Forum members were captivated by Wingate’s story and career history and look forward to her next book, “Shelterwood,” to be released in June 2024. She ended her time with the club members by answering questions from the audience and signing books.
Author Lisa Wingate, right, visits with Maretta Wulfjen of Breckenridge, after her talk at the Breckenridge Woman’s Forum earlier this month. (Photo courtesy of Mary Quinn Griffin)
Cutline, top photo: Best-selling author Lisa Wingate spoke at the Breckenridge Woman’s Forum’s December meeting. Afterwards, she answered questions from those in attendance and signed copies of her books. (Photo courtesy of Mary Quinn Griffin)
Information and photos provided by Mary Quinn Griffin with the Woman’s Forum.
