Liza Wiemer
Liza Wiemer is an award-winning educator with over twenty years of teaching experience. Her second young adult novel, The Assignment, was published by Delacorte Press on August 25, 2020. To date, The Assignment will also be published in Russia, Poland, Italy, and South Korea. Hello?, her debut contemporary YA novel, was named a Goodreads Best Young Adult Novel of the Month. In addition, Liza has had two adult nonfiction books published and several short stories included in the New York Times bestselling Small Miracles series. She has had articles published in various newspapers and magazines. A graduate of UW-Madison, Liza has two married sons and lives in Milwaukee, Wisconsin with her husband, Jim.
Twitter: @lizawiemer
Instagram: @lizamwiemer
Is there a particular film that influenced your writing?
As part of the research for my novel, I watched HBO’s 2001 Conspiracy with actors Kenneth Branagh and Stanley Tucci. Syracuse University professor emeritus and Holocaust expert, Alan Goldberg, told me that this is an accurate depiction of the January 20,1942 Wannsee Conference where fifteen Nazi leaders discussed the implementation of the "Final Solution of the Jewish Question.”
What is your favorite non-reading activity?
Nature hikes. Being in nature fills me up like nothing else can. Whether I’m trekking through the woods or walking on a beach, I love it. Living in Wisconsin, however, is challenging because I don’t like cold weather. This means the vast majority of my hiking is done in the spring, summer, and fall. I would love to live in a place where I could hit the trails year-round.
Does food inspire my writing?
Most definitely. I love to cook, and even during this pandemic I prepare Shabbat meals for others, then deliver them without contact. Under normal times, we would fill our home with guests. This way, they’re still our guests, but we’re enjoying the meal in a safe and healthy way. For me, food is so much more than satisfying hunger. It’s a way to nurture the soul as well as an expression of my love. I know people’s favorites, what they’re allergic to or their dietary needs. So, I can’t help but incorporate food into my writing. In my latest novel, The Assignment, one of my main character’s family owns an inn. Cade's nana is the baker and people rave about her cooking. My inspiration was my own grandma. I have so many fantastic memories of watching her cook and cherished eating the food she prepared. I have no doubt it tasted so much better because she always added that special ingredient: love.
Not all books are for all readers….when you start a book and you just don’t like it, how long do you read until you bail?
Honestly, if I’m not hooked right away, I will set the book aside and pick up another one. There are so many books that I want to read that if I’m not drawn in I look for something else. Occasionally, I’ll go back to a book that I set aside because sometimes my mood is what impacts my decision and not the writing or story.
What period of history do you wish you knew more about?
I would love to delve into the world of Impressionist art: Monet, Renoir, Sisley. What would it have been like to paint with them? I’m fascinated by the art. Whenever my family goes to art museums, I’m drawn to their paintings.
