In this episode, host Samantha Cieslinski interviews Stacey Willingham, a bestselling author of suspense and psychological thrillers. They discuss Stacey's writing process, her journey to becoming a published author, and the inspiration behind her books. Stacey shares her love for the thriller genre and her fascination with the psychological aftermath of a crime. They also explore the creation of strong female characters and the importance of not always taking one's own advice. Overall, this conversation provides insights into the world of suspenseful storytelling and the challenges and triumphs of being an author. In this conversation, author Stacy Willingham discusses various aspects of her books, including the challenges of giving and taking advice, the symbolism behind the titles of her books, the exploration of motherhood and sleep deprivation in her novels, and the unique elements of her upcoming book 'Only If You're Lucky.' She also shares insights into crafting an unreliable narrator, the influence of true crime podcasts, and the themes of memory loss and self-doubt in her work. Overall, Willingham's books offer psychological depth and explore the complexities of human emotions and relationships.TakeawaysThe symbolism in book titles can be inspired by various elements within the story.Exploring the emotional and psychological aspects of motherhood can create a terrifying narrative.Sleep deprivation can lead to memory loss and self-doubt, adding depth to a story.True crime podcasts can serve as a platform for storytelling and moral exploration.Crafting an unreliable narrator can create suspense and intrigue for readers.The upcoming book 'Only If You're Lucky' offers a unique take on the murder mystery genre.College experiences can be formative and nostalgic, making them compelling settings for stories.The fourth book by Stacy Willingham is currently in progress and promises to be different yet familiar to her previous works.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Stacey Willingham01:32 Wine and Whine of the Week06:38 Staying Active and Motivated08:49 Struggles in Staying Healthy and Fit11:19 University of Georgia's 40 Under 4012:28 Favorite Restaurant in Charleston15:21 Getting into Writing18:35 Debut Novel and Overcoming Rejection19:58 Love for Thriller Genre20:47 Creating Strong Female Characters22:47 Approach to Creating Twisty Plots27:39 Reception of Debut Novel28:45 Exploring Psychological Aftermath of a Crime30:54 Impact of Trauma on Main Character32:22 Importance of Not Taking Her Own Advice33:28 Giving Advice vs. Taking Advice34:08 Difficulty in Acting Rationally During Traumatic Events34:53 The Symbolism of Lightning Bugs in 'A Flicker in the Dark'35:22 Choosing the Title 'A Flicker in the Dark'36:14 Changing the Title of 'All the Dangerous Things'37:07 Exploring the Emotional and Psychological Aspect of Motherhood in 'All the Dangerous Things'38:29 The Inspiration Behind 'All the Dangerous Things'39:20 Crafting an Unreliable Narrator in 'All the Dangerous Things'40:19 The Influence of Sleep Deprivation on the Narrative of 'All the Dangerous Things'42:35 The Role of True Crime Podcasts in 'All the Dangerous Things'46:13 Memory Loss and Self-Doubt in 'All the Dangerous Things'48:37 Sneak Peek of 'Only If You're Lucky'54:37 What Sets 'Only If You're Lucky' Apart57:36 Upcoming Fourth Book