BOOKS BY MY FRIENDS: WENDY HINMAN

Tightwads on the Loose: A Seven-Year Pacific Odyssey

Jun 01, 2023

Welcome to BOOKS BY MY FRIENDS, Wendy! You have a nonfiction book that could also be classified as a memoir to share with us today. Let’s set sail and chat about Tightwads on the Loose: A Seven-Year Pacific Odyssey.

JH: What’s the blurb for your book?

WH: Imagine spending 24 hours a day with your spouse in 31 not-so-square feet . . . for years; crossing the Pacific Ocean on two gallons of fuel; and tossing spaghetti marinara around your living room, then cleaning it up while bouncing like ice in a martini shaker. Tightwads on the Loose tells the story of Wendy and Garth, lured to sea by the promise of adventure. They buy a 31-foot boat that fits their budget better than it fits Garth's large frame and set sail for an open-ended voyage, never imagining they'd be gone seven years, or cover 34,000 miles at the pace of a fast walk. They live without most “necessities” and learn that teamwork and a sense of humor matter most as they face endless "character-building opportunities." "Tightwads on the Loose offers a fun read to the armchair adventurer -- or anyone afflicted with wanderlust." A readers favorite.

JH: What inspired you to write this book?

WH: I grew up a voracious reader. I devoured books and immersed myself in stories to explore and understand the world and to soothe me when I didn’t. A school project in which we assembled our writing into a book left a strong impression on me at a young age. I always enjoyed writing and secretly yearned to be an author of a story that moved people as books have moved me. Before I wrote my first book, I was a magazine editor, but our voyage gave me a clearly defined story with broad appeal and provided a perfect springboard for my writing career. During our voyage, I shared our adventures with friends and family and discovered the audience kept growing as people shared my posts and updates with friends and family. Upon our return from our voyage, I kept getting invitations to do presentations. Many people who’d read my updates urged me to write a book about our voyage. As I wrote it, I imagined bringing joy, laughter, and insight to people as they read my stories. I initially wrote my book for fans of my blog and my email updates not knowing whether it had a broader appeal. People have fallen in love with the narrative voice, which is full of humor. It has been described as a "cult classic" among sailors but reaches far beyond that audience to dreamers of all sorts, to those in need of a little escapism.

JH: What one thing do you love most about writing?

WH: I love sharing my discoveries and brightening someone's day through my stories.

JH: What’s next for you in the way of writing/publishing?

WH: I am working on historical fiction and editing for a couple of other authors.

JH: How can readers contact you?

WH:

www.wendyhinman.com

BIO:

Wendy Hinman is an adventurer, speaker, and the award-winning author of two books: Tightwads on the Loose and Sea Trials: Around the World with Duct Tape and Bailing Wire. Tightwads on the Loose tells the story of her 34,000-mile voyage aboard a 31-foot sailboat with her husband. Sea Trials details the harrowing round-the-world voyage of a family who must overcome a shipwreck, gun boats, mines, thieves, scurvy and hunger to achieve their dream. It’s a timeless story of grit and resilience. Sea Trials was named a Kirkus best book. Both titles are now available in audiobooks. Hinman is a sought-after speaker who gives entertaining presentations throughout the country at libraries, community centers, conferences, and private clubs (as well as online). She writes articles for a variety of publications and reviews books for Foreword Reviews Magazine. She is currently at work on a historical novel. You can find her books and audiobooks at the library and through booksellers. For more information, please visit: www.wendyhinman.com.

JH: Thanks, Wendy. This book sounds like it tells a unique story. Yours! Wonderful!

All good things,

Joy