Many successful people reinvented themselves in a later period in their lives. Jeff Bezos worked on Wall Street before he reinvented himself and started Amazon. Sara Blakely sold office supplies before she started Spanx. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson was a WWE wrestler before he became a successful actor and filmmaker. Arnold Schwarzenegger went from a bodybuilder to an actor to a Governor. McDonald’s founder Ray Kroc was a milkshake-device salesman before starting the McDonalds franchise in his 50s.
How does one reinvent themselves? What hurdles have to be overcome to take life in a new direction? How do you overcome those challenges? How do you ignore the naysayers? How do you push through the paralyzing fear?
In this series called “Second Chapters; How I Reinvented Myself In The Second Chapter Of My Life ” we are interviewing successful people who reinvented themselves in a second chapter in life, to share their story and help empower others.
As a part of this interview series, I had the pleasure of interviewing Lorraine Devon Wilke.
An accomplished artist in a wide range of creative mediums, Lorraine started her career as an actress and rock & roll singer/songwriter, finding success in both arenas well into the 2000s. While she continues to perform whenever opportunities present themselves, she’s designed a second chapter built around photography and writing. Currently, she has three award-winning novels in the marketplace, hundreds of essays and articles in media, literary journals, and books, and has recently signed on as the in-house “LA Life” photographer for the national digital lifestyle magazine, The Three Tomatoes.
Thank you so much for doing this with us! Before we start, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you tell us a bit about your childhood backstory?
I’m originally from the Midwest; born in Chicago, grew up in small towns in northern Illinois; third oldest of eleven kids in a family that required we learn responsibility, engaged in great dollops of fun, and held creativity in high regard. Both my parents grew up in the city, which nurtured their love of music, art, theater, and books, and they were committed to raising kids with an appreciation for the same. Music was everywhere, we read voraciously (even spent a decade or so without TV), put on basement shows and backyard carnivals, and, given our embrace of all things artistic, each of us emerged from our childhoods with creative proclivities of one kind or another. I majored in theater at the University of Illinois, then hit the road with a rock & roll band, ultimately landing in Los Angeles where I happily remain.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
It’s a very simple one: “Express yourself.” When I was a kid, there was an R&B song with that title written and sung by Charles Wright, and I felt like that lyric was my mantra. I was never someone who could sit quietly and keep my thoughts internalized—in fact, I can picture anyone who knows me laughing out loud at that notion! I was a person who was driven to express myself, in myriad ways, but mostly through singing, acting; comedy, even early writing efforts. But singing was my greatest Muse, and still, to this day, one of my very favorite ways to “express myself.”
You have been blessed with much success. In your opinion, what are the top three qualities that you possess that have helped you accomplish so much? If you can, please share a story or example for each.
1. The ability to determine my unique, specific talents. That may sound obvious, but as I was coming up in the world, I knew so many contemporaries who were vague about what, exactly, they wanted to do, even less clear on what they were good at, where their particular talents and abilities lay. For some, that led to a lot of meandering and disappointments careerwise, with paths too often taken that proved pointless because they ultimately discovered they, “didn’t really like dancing,” or “don’t have the stomach for the competition.” I felt fortunate to be crystal clear about both elements of that equation, and that clarity led the way for me.
2. The ability to objectively assess my viability in the career I chose. This is a companion piece for #1, but equally important to my mind. A career in the arts is attractive to many people, and dreams of fame and fortune abound in every medium. I’ve had people tell me that if they could pick any career, any dream, it would be singing, music, and I get it… I felt the same! But all artistic industries, bar none, are staggeringly competitive, profoundly challenging, with much more supply than demand, and to be successful by any metric, you not only have to be dogged, determined, and indefatigable, you have to have the goods. And you have to know you do. Honestly. Not arrogantly or narcissistically, but with complete candor.
I knew people who were passionate about acting, but lacked the innate talent to compete, leaving them frustrated and disappointed. Others who loved the idea of getting a book published but didn’t have even one story idea in their head. Some who dreamed of rock & roll stardom but weren’t exceptional in any of the ways required for such a result. I quickly learned that I had to be acutely honest and aware of what my strong suits were (or weren’t!), and smart enough to get the kind of feedback that kept me current with that assessment. That ongoing analysis prevented me from wasting/spending time in arenas where I didn’t excel or wasn’t competitive, keeping me focused on where I could compete, where I was viable, an effective tool in any competitive industry.
3. Having the drive and determination to pursue every useful opportunity that presented itself. So much of being successful in any field is paying attention to the opportunities that arise, assessing when those opportunities are specifically useful, and, when they are, jumping at the chance to take advantage of them. The biggest regrets in my career were always the ones where I didn’t leap at useful opportunities because I was convinced (or sometimes told) that a better one was just around the corner… then that “better one” never materialized. A few of those mistakes were all it took for me to wise up. I’m now eagle-eyed about such things, and there are few—I’d even say no—useful opportunities that evade my awareness and attention.
Let’s now shift to the main part of our discussion about ‘Second Chapters’. Can you tell our readers about your career experience before your Second Chapter?
As mentioned above, music and acting were my first loves, and as a theater major, lead singer in bands, and later, when I moved to Los Angeles to pursue both, I was laser focused on building a successful career as a performer. During the 80s, when the New Wave movement and MTV emerged, I was fully on board with it all, choosing, in fact, to backburner acting to dedicate my time and effort entirely to rock & roll. I met a group of exceptionally talented musicians who worked with me in building an original band called DEVON (my last name at the time), and with that group I began writing lyrics and melodies for the first time in my life.
It was a heady, exhilarating, extraordinary time. I had financial backers, management, top producers in the rock world, and the requisite big hair (come on, it was the 80s!). We played the best clubs in the Los Angeles area, built a huge following, recorded some amazing records, and were seconds away from the big, coveted, dreamt-about record deal when… as is wont to happen in that unpredictable business, it just somehow didn’t happen. When the band broke up, I spent the requisite time mourning the loss, then moved onto another original project, which, given the rock & roll bona fides of key members and the great tunes we wrote, appeared even more commercially viable. But again, for reasons unknown, the record deal didn’t materialize.
Having two major original projects—both so good and so positively supported—not crack the code devastated me. My entire identity was wrapped up in being a successful singer-songwriter and I couldn’t imagine who I was, who I’d be, without that. But I had to keep on, so during the 90s, I co-wrote a screenplay (To Cross the Rubicon) with a good friend named Patricia Royce, who happened to have a film production company with her director partner, Barry Caillier, in Seattle. A “relationship film” compared (favorably, I might add) to Cameron Crowe’s Singles, we were crafty enough to write great lead roles for ourselves. Again, hopes were high: it was an amazing experience in which I not only co-starred, but provided three original songs for the soundtrack, performing one as my character in the film. Famed singer-songwriter, J.D. Souther, was the male lead; Billy Burke, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, and David Crosby all appeared. It won awards on the festival circuit and did well overseas, so how could I not think, once again, “here’s the ticket to my dreams”? But when I got back to LA and started pounding pavements again, convinced this particular calling card would surely open some new doors, it turns out… it didn’t. The most frequent response was, “Is it playing in any big theaters around town?” and since it wasn’t, it seemed to have little impact on moving my music or acting careers forward. Which was inexplicable to me, considering the achievement it was, but that’s how very capricious and humbling the creative industries can be.
I was out of ideas careerwise. But, as it happened, I was simultaneously, and very happily, entering into a new phase of my personal life: love and marriage. The film company’s attorney and I had fallen in love, were married eight months later, and a year after that had a beloved son. And as with everything else in my life, I leapt in full bore…
And how did you “reinvent yourself” in your Second Chapter?
Now a full-time mom and wife, I put music and acting aside for a moment to discover the wonders of PTA, afterschool programs, and how to keep a little boy from falling from his treehouse. I also had to face the fact that my rock & roll dreams, especially in an industry that values youth as a most coveted currency, were aging out of reality. Still, in the early 2000s I tried again with an original project that emerged from a blues band I sang in, which happily resulted in one part of my dream—a produced CD of eleven original songs—coming to beautiful fruition. It garnered amazing reviews and even some radio play, but sadly, shortly after it was completed, my partner left the project and the band collapsed. Without being able to properly support it with live gigs, CD sales floundered, but it remains a great record I’m very proud of and still have copies of… let me know if you’d like one!
So there I was: My movie didn’t move mountains, I’d played out my last rock & roll dream, I loved being a mom and wife, but… what was left for me as an artist, a creative; someone who needed to “express myself”? That’s when the Second Chapter emerged, defined by two salient events:
First: my son got a camera, and I started taking pictures with it; discovered I had both an eye and the interest. I went out and got my own camera, took classes, worked with a mentor, and started formulating an actual mini-career shooting and selling fine art photographs, learning the art of digital restoration, and taking portraits for actors, families, etc.
Second, I stumbled upon a powerful idea for a novel, something I’d always wanted to do but never felt I had a story with enough gravitas to merit the medium. Now that I had one, I started writing…
Can you tell us about the specific trigger that made you decide that you were going to “take the plunge” and make your huge transition?
The trigger was that resonating mantra, “Express yourself.”
For the longest time, my whole life, really, I’d believed that the only way, or at least the main way, I was meant to express myself was as a singer/songwriter. That was me, that was my identity. When that began receding as a viable path, I was fairly lost and undirected, which was both foreign and painful to me. But as my son got older and I got back to having more time for my own pursuits, I realized I simply needed to find another way to express myself. I had to go back to those three qualities spelled out earlier: assess what creative skills I had left in my tool kit, get bracingly honest about which ones could be pulled to the forefront, then jump at the opportunities that arose out of those discoveries. And that’s what I did.
What did you do to discover that you had a new skillset inside of you that you haven’t been maximizing? How did you find that and how did you ultimately overcome the barriers to help manifest those powers?
Perfect next question. Frankly, it was terrifying, that process of reinvention. I struggled with a persistent case of “imposter syndrome.” As a photographer, particularly one who’d learned the craft mostly on the street, innately, with trial-and-error as my most reliable teacher, I sometimes felt undeserving of the attention or commerce that came my way, even some embarrassment at not having the technical, schoolbook knowledge that many photographers I knew did have. But still… it turns out I was good at it! I had to acknowledge that and understand that while some measure of technical expertise is essential—and I availed myself of enough formal schooling and tutorship to grasp those essentials—we all learn in different ways, and I was learning in mine. I was also fortunate to spend three years assisting a very successful, famous photographer. Through the process of completing the tasks he demanded of me, I learned an amazing array of skills. When the restoration work I did for him made it into gallery shows, when my own work won awards; when I successfully competed in tough markets to get exhibited, I had to accept that I did, truly, have a skill, and I was, authentically, viable enough to pursue it. So I did. I do. And despite my somewhat unconventional path, I can now comfortably call myself a photographer.
As for the author part… that was an even bigger commitment. I was confident I could write the book. I’m a deep researcher, I did my homework; took deep dives into form, format, and how to do what needs to be done, and ultimately trusted my “voice” to tell the story I wanted to tell. That was the easy part. The hard part was when the book was done… the “now what?” The self-publishing industry was in full bloom by this point (my first book was completed in 2013), but I wanted to see if I could get an agent and go the traditional route—getting published by a notable publisher. I studied the art of “querying agents,” sent out countless letters, had a few manuscripts requested, got endless rejections, to the point that, after a year of “auditioning,” I realized, if I ever wanted this book to see the light of day, I was going to have to give myself the job: I was going to have to self-publish.
But again, HOW? I had to go back into “education mode.” Research, study, talk to successful self-publishers, learn best practices, and get my book whipped into shape with a tight, cogent narrative, perfect copyediting and formatting, and a brilliant cover. I accomplished all that, not without some bumps in the road, and what evolved was a book I was proud of. The next steps were challenging, often incredibly frustrating, but my first book, After the Sucker Punch, was self-published in May of 2014. And while I didn’t have the budget to hire a publicist, I did my best with self-promotion, and it won several awards, garnered enthusiastic readership, and got enough reviews to not embarrass itself. It still sells today at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
How are things going with this new initiative? We would love to hear some specific examples or stories.
It’s actually going very well, thanks! In the photography world, as mentioned in my bio, I was just invited to become the in-house “LA Life” photographer for a national digital lifestyle magazine, The Three Tomatoes. Every issue of their “LA Life” segment will feature one of my photographs with its story and origin, with links to my website. Given the popularity of The Three Tomatoes, it will put my work in front of thousands of subscribers, so it’s a really nice bump in that arena. I’ve also sold a number of pieces via my online portal at Fine Art America and am currently submitted to several contests and exhibition opportunities. All around, I’m pleased with the progress.
As for the publishing industry: after putting out my first book in 2014, I wrote my second novel, Hysterical Love, which I self-published in 2015 without even tracking down the agent/publisher route… I think the first time just exhausted my patience too much to try again so soon! Hysterical Love has done very well with readers who’ve enjoyed its mix of humor and heart, and I’m hoping to get it optioned as a film, which I’ve had some interest in. Given my background as a screenwriter, my novels tend to be cinematic, so, frankly, any one of them would, I believe, make a great film.
My most recent and third novel, The Alchemy of Noise, published in 2019, was a departure of sorts for me. Refreshed after years away from the process, I once again sought literary representation, querying agents for over a year as I continued to fine-tune the manuscript. Not only is querying a difficult task under any circumstances, but in this case it turns out I’d written a story that was considered controversial, which only added to the level of difficulty.
Loosely based on my experiences in an interracial relationship during the 80s, I wrote a contemporary story set in Chicago that’s a frank exploration of police profiling, cultural bias, and white privilege, told through the perspectives of both the white and Black characters. And, quite unexpected to me at the time, this was met with resistance. Every agent I talked to, met with, or heard from told me that, “no publisher will take on a novel written by a white author with major characters who are Black.” Despite the fact that I’d done prodigious research, had lived my own experiences as the narrative foundation, and had Black sensitivity readers consult on the project (each giving it a resounding thumbs-up), I was met with brick walls. This was unbelievably disappointing, as I felt I had a book that was not only culturally resonating, but something that could open eyes and spark conversation. After over a year of trying, I finally gave up on agents and was able to garner enthusiastic support and invitation from a small independent hybrid publisher, She Writes Press, a company fantastically supportive of female writers who had no issues with the content. The book has been very positively received by readers and reviewers, winning a slate of literary awards.
I have now finished my fourth novel, a dark, creepy suspense piece titled, The Weight of Fables, which I’m currently (once again!) shopping for representation, and a fifth novel: Chick Singer, pulling from my experiences in the world of rock & roll. I’m excited to get both books out into the marketplace because I think readers are really going to enjoy them!
Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?
I can think of so many people throughout my life who encouraged my forward motion, helped me take necessary steps; supported my dreams even when they seemed fantastical, and showed up at all the right times and places to hoot and holler at gigs, plays, and events. It started with my family and extends to a long list of dear friends, talented collaborators, and dedicated colleagues. But the person who elicits my most enduring gratitude—in every way: personally, professionally, creatively, and emotionally—is my husband, Pete Wilke.
We joke about the fact that when we met on the film project, he negotiated himself into the “ultimate conflict of interest,” but from that moment forward, he has been so solidly in my corner I can’t imagine where my path would have gone without him. He’s helped with every aspect of my career from representing me to agents, casting directors, and producers, looking over my various contracts, offering feedback on screenplays and manuscripts, being an inspiration to various songs, even creating the most amazing role for me in a country musical he wrote and produced (which is being rebooted as we speak). He was right with me in finding the work/life balance after our son was born, supported the time and focus I needed to write, record, perform; ponder. He even sat with me when I cried over letting go of my rock & roll dreams or questioning the wisdom of completely changing directions. I risk sounding trite or sappy, but he truly is my rock, and I couldn’t have created the life I have without him. I always say, whatever prizes may have slipped from my reach in my career, in my personal life I won first prize. I’m grateful for that, for him, every single day.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started in this new direction?
After the tussle with trying to get The Alchemy of Noise published, I was emotionally exhausted by the time the book came out. Despite the publisher’s and publicists’ enthusiasm and hard work, I didn’t know whether to expect hissing negativity from the media, online cancellation, or angry pushback from Black readers; didn’t know if the heart and soul of the story would get lost in the politics of the thing. Then it started rolling out and I was delighted by all the positive, enthusiastic reception. Two particular points stand out:
- Almost a year after it published, another, much higher profile, novel came out that was bombarded with negative response in a similar vein: American Dirt, an immigration story written by a white author (albeit with a Hispanic relative). There was so much heat piled on this book—the whiteness of the author, the prodigious advance, the breathless applause from famous people, the Oprah push, the insensitive table decorations, the supposed “appropriation”—I couldn’t help but feel empathy for the writer (despite her pocketing millions!). Ironically, when NPR was producing a segment about this book on their show, 1A, they reached out to me to join the conversation. It seems they’d read articles of mine on the topic in general and my own journey in particular and wanted my perspective. So, in a wonderful boost for my book, I went to the New York NPR offices to participate in the show, discussing the issues around artistic freedom vs. perceptions of cultural appropriation. It was a very gratifying acknowledgement of my book’s value.
- The second, much smaller, but equally impactful event was an email I received from a reader shortly after the book came out. Again, given the aforementioned resistance, particularly in how it might hit Black readers, I was profoundly touched by this message: “I am a middle-aged Black man living in Flint, MI, so grateful that you wrote this story. I felt like I was finally ‘home’ as I read it… like I could have been reading about my own life. It’s a story that needs to be told. Thank you.” I don’t think I need to spell out how moved and gratified I was by that email.
Did you ever struggle with believing in yourself? If so, how did you overcome that limiting belief about yourself? Can you share a story or example?
My God, there were so many times, after so many rejections in so many different arenas, that I had to wonder if I just wasn’t good enough to succeed: to get that record deal, get cast in that show; interest the agent that I wanted. As mentioned earlier, imposter syndrome crept up over my shoulders from time to time to whisper in my ear: “No, you idiot, you really aren’t that special, unique, worthy, good, so hang it up and go get a waitress job!” That whisper could get loud, especially working in an industry where rejection is a routine part of the process. But somehow I knew if I honestly applied the “top three qualities to success” stated earlier, I could always “remember” who I was, and what I authentically brought to the table. Sometimes it took a simple action from a stranger to remind me. For example: I’d submitted a fine art photograph to a prominent gallery, and it was chosen for inclusion in a collectors’ event. Shortly after, the curator took it even a step further, selecting it as part of a major exhibition at the Griffin Museum of Photography, a renowned gallery near Boston. It was a spectacular vote of confidence, and, for me, the day I stopped questioning myself and accepted my status.
In my own work I usually encourage my clients to ask for support before they embark on something new. How did you create your support system before you moved to your new chapter?
As mentioned, I’m lucky to have a very supportive spouse who’s been a partner in every step of my evolving journey since we’ve met, certainly as I shifted career goals. I also have a loyal circle of close, creative friends who’d support any new direction I might embark upon.
Professionally, I was (am) very active on social media, and when I was shifting into my “new chapter,” I reached out to other photographers and writers on the various platforms who’d already been down the road, knew the steps, understood the language, and were willing to help me plot out my own course. Both the writing and photography communities are comprised of accessible, knowledgeable, generous and helpful people, and I found a handful who literally walked me through the process in both arenas, for which I was, and am, very grateful.
Starting a new chapter usually means getting out of your comfort zone, how did you do that? Can you share a story or example of that?
To be honest, there’s very little about being an artist that’s comfortable. In fact, some people think if art gets too comfortable, it ain’t art… or, at the very least, it needs to get shook up. I’ve always had plenty of that going on!
When I started my new chapter, I felt like an older student in a newer school and, yes; there was discomfort in that. I wondered if people might see me as having failed in my previous endeavors, as losing momentum, giving up. Nothing was further from the truth and there was, frankly, not one person in my life or surrounds who felt or thought that, but still… it crossed my very uncomfortable mind. But I’ve been blessed, for whatever reasons—likely the sum total of my life experiences and influences—to have a strong, enduring belief in myself despite defeats and disappointments. So I just had to shake off the internal noise in my head, dive into research and inquiry (which tends to focus my attention where it needs to be), and simply put feet on the ground in this new game and get hustling. Which I did. I’ve always found that comfort zones can be found in those actions.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me before I started” and why? Please share a story or example for each.
1. To know and trust my own voice. Not always easy, especially when you’re just starting out and so many others feel they know what’s better or right for you. Back in my early singing days, when I was bombarded by managers, producers, bandmates, boyfriends, etc., telling me how to sing, how to perform, how to dress, I actually wrote a song about it called “Somebody Said”; the first verse says it all:
“Everybody had a hand in the making
From the look of her face to the way her hair was combed
Everybody had a word, someone always had the answer
But the girl breathed a dream all her own…”
The lesson learned is in the chorus:
“Somebody said, somebody said
But the words that you hear don’t seem to take you nowhere
Somebody said, somebody said
Listen to the voice that’s your own.”
2. To always honor my intuition when it came to the people I encountered. I learned this pretty quickly through the process of “lessons learned,” but younger people, or people new to an industry, don’t always have the lay of the land, and as much as one might wish otherwise, there are predators, abusers, and manipulators out there. We can often sense that danger in someone, but too often dismiss or sublimate our own perceptions, usually to our own detriment. Lesson learned: Pay attention to that sixth sense you possess… it can save you a lot of regrets or unfortunate experiences.
3. To make sure my financial security was intact while chasing the dream. I was so confident of my success, so convinced it would happen quickly and afford me the life I dreamed of, that building a concurrent work situation that created security for me was a challenge. Sure, I always worked, but they were gigs—waitress jobs, catering, session work, more waitress jobs. They got the rent paid but didn’t contribute much to the accrual of actual wealth or security. I have to admit: my father tried to get that message across to me when I started, but somehow it didn’t sink in. I wrote that off to my unbridled self-confidence at the time, but it was more honestly a lack of self-preservation. Lesson learned: It’s important to take care of oneself financially even while reaching for the stars!
4. To never let anyone limit me or my expression. In my very early days I had a manager who insisted my identity as a performer be limited to “actress,” period. He felt if I presented as a hyphenate, an “actress-singer,” it would be distracting to casting directors, agents, directors, and producers (a weird trend of the time). Though I didn’t agree with him, I figured he knew better than me and I acquiesced. After a couple of years of working with him, and while he did bring many opportunities to the table, I realized how literally choked I felt not singing anymore, but when I talked to him about it, told him I wanted to explore singing opportunities, he just laughed. Really… he laughed. That was the tipping point for me. I ended our relationship, quit my acting class, and within a couple of weeks was singing lead in a band that traveled all over the west and in which I met the players with whom I later build an original project. Lesson learned: don’t let anyone limit you. Ever.
5. That not every dream comes true exactly as we imagine. This is a tough one. No one wants to hear this, especially not young people leaping into their futures with boundless optimism and endless expectations. But that’s the word right there: expectations. Too often we have such specific expectations about how a thing will turn out, how we’ll manifest our plans, how the dreams we lay awake at night imagining will spring to life, that we don’t leave room for the inevitable vagaries that pop up or the unexpected turns that will take things in different directions. I learned it through the course of my life, but it might be better to really get it from the get-go. Lesson learned: It’s good to have a plan; it’s better to have a plan and embrace the reality that the plan may have to change… which may actually deliver a better result than you imagined.
You are a person of great influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be?
As someone who’s plugged into our political culture, who pays attention to what’s happening in the world, and who rejects the notion that selfishness, dishonesty, narcissism, and lack of compassion are winning traits whether in politics or life, I’ve always pushed for art, education, and social programs to feature EMPATHY as a driving force.
If one looks at the ails of the world—bigotry, xenophobia, discrimination, hate, intolerance, racism, sexism, violence, etc.—it’s clear that each of these is sparked by lack of empathy, the unwillingness or inability to walk in another’s shoes, to live in another’s reality; to accept and/or embrace another’s individuality or experiences. Those ails tend to be inherited, passed down through generations, and upheld by small-minded, fear-based people who hide behind justification and illogic: Religion is used to promote intolerance. White superiority defends racism and xenophobia. Authoritarianism promotes lies, corruption, and greed. On and on. But the one element those human ills share is lack of empathy. Without empathy, they metastasize. With it, we teach and learn and propagate love, acceptance, and compassion. Everything we do should have empathy as a core goal, a defining principle. That would change the world.
We are very blessed that some very prominent names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this if we tag them with this!
Always a fascinating question to answer. There are so many prominent people I admire and would love the opportunity to meet that it’s hard to hone it down to one! There’s the first obvious choice of Oprah, who’s such a voice and advocate for writers, women, and those trying to create change in the world. I’d also cherish the opportunity to talk with Barack and Michelle Obama, to discuss how I might contribute to their Obama Foundation in Chicago, my hometown. I admire Melissa Gates and MacKenzie Scott (formerly Bezos), both of whom are doing amazing work in the arena of philanthropy. Hey, maybe we could all meet for lunch… that would be a powerful gathering!
How can our readers further follow your work online?
The best way to follow my various projects is via my website, lorrainedevonwilke.com.
My blog, Rock+Paper+Music is a good place for current articles, as is my Medium column.
And, of course, my social media: Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Thank you so much for sharing these important insights. We wish you continued success and good health
Thank you! I’m honored by your interest in me and my work, and appreciate the very interesting questions. Until the next chapter…
The Alchemy of Noise: a novel
May 2020: Lorraine was chosen as one of the five authors highlighted in this colorful and comprehensive “video wiki” feature:
5 Female Authors Crafting Compelling Novels
“With so much genre fiction in the marketplace, one can be forgiven for not realizing there’s anything else being put out these days. These authors all buck the trend, producing category-defying work that is insightful and touching, giving readers an experience they’ve never had before and won’t soon forget.” Wiki.ezvid.com
PRAISE FOR THE ALCHEMY OF NOISE:
Foreword Reviews:
“Part awakening, part trial by fire, The Alchemy of Noiseis a timely social novel that unfolds with tenderness and cruelty. A story on fresh beginnings marred by police brutality, The Alchemy of Noise tests the limits of love. Lorraine Devon Wilke’s sharp interracial romance strikes at the heart of contemporary race issues with thoughtful, vulnerable characters who excavate their own beliefs to reaffirm what’s worth fighting for… Between its heartfelt message for allies and its cautious navigation of what it’s like to be made a target, a profound optimism emerges. Love can’t solve everything for Sidonie and Chris, but it continually encircles them.”
Working Mother magazine:
10 of the Most Anticipated Books to Make Time for in 2019:
“An impactful story about race, equality and love, The Alchemy of Noise has quickly become a highly-buzzed-about read in the vast community of female writers.”
Publishers Weekly:
“Wilke’s rewarding novel (after Hysterical Love) follows the relationship between a black sound engineer and the white manager of the club where he works. … When Chris is arrested for criminal trespassing and resisting arrest, and brutally beaten by police, Sidonie supports him as he decides whether to go to trial or take a plea deal. But the possibility that he may be implicated in another, more serious crime causes a fracture in their relationship that may be irreparable. Wilke’s story will satisfy readers with its emotional depth and strong characters, making for a memorable novel.”
Kirkus Reviews:
“Wilke’s prose is cautious and empathetic, probing at the edges of politeness, taboo, and uncomfortable truth …the directness and openness with which the author explores the topic, as well as its continuing relevance, make this a novel that will still read as daring to many.”
Readers’ Favorite Reviews:
“5-Stars: The writing is emotive and highly descriptive, painting snippets of life for Chris as he struggles with the everyday racism and assumptions put upon young black men all across America, and Sidonie’s struggle to connect and understand is intelligently handled. Neither of them is perfect, but together they find something special of their own. Wilke’s superb pacing and frank dialogue guide us through every harrowing moment as they fight hard to protect it. Overall, The Alchemy of Noiseis a highly entertaining and engaging piece of drama which shines a light on pivotal issues of today.”
Brit + Co:
12 Can’t-Miss Books by Women to Read This Year:
“In this devastating and touching new novel from Lorraine Devon Wilke, two unlikely lovers find themselves in the middle of a corrupt investigation that will change their lives forever. Chris is a black sound engineer and when his path crosses with Sidonie, a white and successful venue manager, the two quickly fall into a whirlwind love affair. But everything suddenly changes when Chris is arrested and charged with horrific crimes that will show the young couple just how wicked the world can be.”
Barb Taub|Writing & Coffee:
“The writing of The Alchemy of Noise is hauntingly beautiful, shocking, and compelling. I feel like I know so many of the characters, that they are the family and friends and fellow students I knew in Chicago. And yet I don’t know them at all, can’t believe they would react as the characters did here. But, as Sidonie points out, I’ve read the papers, listened to the news, heard the casually racist and discriminatory remarks. And even with a love as big as Chris and Sidonie’s, I don’t know how you get past that. Maybe reading this stunningly well written book is a good way to start.”
Bookapotamust Blog:
“This book. Stop what you are doing. And read this book. It’s heartbreaking, it’s uncomfortable, and it’s daring in the most important way… This book haunts me – but it’s a good thing. I cannot stop thinking about it. I feel as if Sidonie and Chris are real people, and in a way, they are – as the gut-wrenching brutality, tension, and racism is entirely plausible in this day and age… I loved every minute of this story.”
Georgia Rose Books:
“The exploration of all the relationships in this novel is excellent. The characters rich and rounded, the way they react and interact absorbing. It is very well written. It’s intelligent, educational and eye-opening, though still easy to read, the prose flowing and drawing you in. The Alchemy of Noiseis an excellent novel I thoroughly enjoyed and don’t hesitate for a moment to recommend.”
Booked Up Girl Blog:
“I absolutely loved this book, and found myself engrossed in their story and journey. I felt a somewhat deep connection with Sid and Chris’ characters. The story is just heart wrenching – I really couldn’t put the book down, and it will stay haunting me for a long time to come. If you haven’t yet read this – it must be next on your TBR!”
Janni Styles1 Book Blog:
“From the challenge of loving narrow-minded relations to finding love without trust impossible, no matter your race or level of privilege, this book is rich with raw human experience. Deftly executed with grace and the author’s own keen sensibilities, the story left me wishing it would never end. It is well-paced with moments of epiphany that had me feeling I was not just a reader but part of the story. In some way, we all are. Every single one of us can take responsibility for changing history for the better, lessons of yesterday are a chance to improve, to hate less, love more and a chance to be at peace with all people.”
LATEST INTERVIEWS/PODCASTS/ARTICLES:
Iconic Chicago Tribunewriter and WGN Radio personality, Rick Kogan,sits down with Lorraine to discuss her latest novel, The Alchemy of Noise
“Empathy is the antidote to everything” when sparking a movement: an interview with authors Sara Connell & Lorraine Devon Wilke
PODCAST:A Conversation About Fiction, Culture, Stories, Imagination & The Alchemy of Noisew/ Debbie Zipp The Three Tomatoes
“As part of my serieson “How to write a book that sparks a movement,” I had the great pleasure of interviewing Lorraine Devon Wilke…”
EDITOR’S PICK, LITRO#174: FREEDOM: ALL THE FREEDOM PRIVILEGE ALLOWS by Lorraine Devon Wilke
“The Alchemy of Noiseauthor, Lorraine Devon Wilke,is on the podcast this week. We went deep on race, culture and politics. Buckle in.” Julie Walker Harris, the other 50%
Popular podcaster, Amy Beth Arkawy,welcomes back author Lorraine Devon Wilke: “We ponder weighty questions including: Is fiction friendly or dangerous terrain for social commentary?”
Author & podcaster Robert Batista brings Lorraine Devon Wilketo The Authors Labto discuss The Alchemy of Noiseand the power of stories to change culture.
MORE PRAISE FOR THE ALCHEMY OF NOISE:
“This is not a run-of-the-mill love story. But Lorraine Devon Wilke is not a run-of-the-mill writer. The Alchemy of Noise, a powerful interracial romance with rich, cinematic quality, is gritty, clever and superbly crafted, sustaining a gut-wrenching level of tension until the final page.” ~ Jane Davis, author of Smash All the Windowsand seven other titles; winner of the Daily Mail First Novel Award.
“Every character was authentic. Sidonie and Chris have great depth; they’re real-life people, and I wanted them to overcome, for their love to prevail. The plot line was great as well. The microaggressions, the hidden and overt racism, the passive-aggressive low-key racism—it was all in there, all very plausible and realistic. The book is a sort of Racism 101, an eye-opener for allies.” ~ Regina McRae, BLM activist, award-winning baker/owner of NYC bakery, Grandma’s Secrets, and author of Taking the Cake, Your Ultimate Cake Guide
“Beautifully written, perfectly balanced, and evenly paced, The Alchemy of Noise, Devon Wilke’s story of love, redemption, and racial conflict in the shadow of contemporary urban America, is a tour-de-force from an author at the top of her game.” ~ Mark Barry, author of The Night Porterand Carla
“A powerful novel that wraps the love story of a mixed-race couple in a ‘ripped from the headlines’ narrative, The Alchemy of Noiseis alternately touching, painful, sweet, and enraging. With its exploration of race and privilege, and stunning, unexpected plot twists, it demands your attention from beginning to end.” ~ Susie Singer Carter, award-winning filmmaker and screenwriter (My Mom & the Girland Soul Surfer)
“Reading this combination love story and page-turning legal drama, I was particularly moved by the exploration of the psychological and emotional impacts of racism on each of the characters. The Alchemy of Noisedives into those issues in new, unexamined ways, and as a professional working in the field of PTSD and family trauma, I found that element to be a powerful and authentic driver of this very topical story.” ~ Nancy Locke Capers, writer/producer, licensed psychotherapist
“Infused with beauty, humor and pain, The Alchemy of Noiseis a modern American love story that asks if love can bridge the distance between two Americas. Author Lorraine Devon Wilke writes with authenticity, insight, sensitivity. Her characters Sidonie and Chris (and the loved ones in their orbit) stayed with me like old friends whose success I am rooting for, but is in no way guaranteed in a world where skin color may be destiny.” ~ Laura Nicole Diamond, author of Shelter Usand Deliver Me
“The story of Sidonie, a white woman, and Chris, a black man, is a well-written and compelling tale of love that offers a glimpse into the unique experiences couples face in interracial relationships. When allegations of criminal activity are lodged against Chris, the two are forced into a confusing and frightening reality which shakes them to their very cores. The Alchemy of Noiseis an intense emotional journey, and Wilke masterfully guides us through it with laughter, tears, and thought-provoking insight.” ~ Kimberley A. Johnson, author of Peyton’s Choiceand The Virgin Diaries
“The Alchemy of Noiseis an honest, empathetic, and powerful look at racial tensions in modern America, explored through one interracial couple’s burgeoning relationship—and how it plays on the concerns and assumptions of their friends and families. The writing is excellent, the characters full and real and conflicted—just like life.” ~ Laurie Boris, author of The Call, a Baseball Novel and A Sudden Gust of Gravity
“Lorraine Devon Wilke’s The Alchemy of Noiseincludes brushstrokes of nightlife, music, the club world; true-ringing elements that too often in the lit-game are swung at and missed. Her portrait of Chicago as a representation of contemporary urban culture is so vivid it stands as a character all its own.” ~ Junior Burke, author of A Thousand Eyesand Something Gorgeous
Hysterical Love: a novel
• 2017 Solo Medallist in General Fiction, New Apple Awards
• 2017 Finalist in General Fiction, American Book Fest Best Book Awards
Hysterical Love @ Kirkus Reviews:
“Wilke is a skilled writer, able to plausibly inhabit Dan’s young male perspective… A well-written, engaging, sometimes-frustrating tale of reaching adulthood a little late.” (Read more…)
Hysterical Love: Judge; 3rd Annual Writer’s Digest Self-Published eBook Awards:
“The author has an incredible skill for storytelling and her voice is without reproach. The novel is well designed, well edited and of high production quality.”
Hysterical Love: reviewed by Charla White @ WordsAPlenty:
“Wilke is passionate about the development of her characters as they come to life with each word. The reader cannot help but connect to her characters. The plot is strong, fresh, balanced and delivered skillfully. It is a moving story and is a must read for anyone who has been, is, or thinks they may fall in love someday.
Don’t miss this book. It is a wonderful read. Wilke is a truly gifted writer and one to watch grow; she will continue to provide thought provoking stories based on real issues. WordsAPlenty gives this book a highly deserved 5 star rating.” (Read more…)
Hysterical Love @ Literary Fiction Book Review:
“The narrative is effectively told through first person, with Daniel candidly confiding his fears and confusion to the reader. Devon Wilke manages to convey the male psyche with a good-natured humor that seems eminently believable. Hysterical Love is a deftly told tale about not only the search for love in the 21st century, but about seeking a greater understanding of the intricacies of the human heart, about love in all its various forms and disguises: puppy love, lost love, emerging love, enduring love, and of course, hysterical love.”
Hysterical Love: review by ReecasPieces Book Blog:
“This is aptly named. This novel is HYSTERICAL! Fair warning….do not read this in public. There are places you will laugh out loud!” …This is a story about love. All kinds of love! Family, friendship, and soul-mate love…it’s all in here. It is told with such creativity and uniqueness.”
Hysterical Love: review by Tracy Slowiak @ Readers’ Favorite Book Reviews:
“Oh my, oh my! I just finished reading Hysterical Love, the newest novel by Lorraine Devon Wilke, and I must say, I simply adored it! Lorraine Devon Wilke’s writing style is witty, pointed and funny, even hilarious at times.” (Read more…)
Hysterical Love: Worth Reading This Summer @ WE Magazine For Women :
“If you are looking for book recommendations to take with you to the beach, on vacation or to read in your down time, these are the editor pics for Summer 2015: Hysterical Love…” (Read more…)
Hysterical Love: Review by Barb Taub @ Writing & Coffee Book Blog:
“I never found a writer who was as good as DH Lawrence, but who could also get into a man’s head and tell that story. Until now…Wilke combines humor, terrific writing, and some none-too-gently acquired truths into a different kind of relationship story.” (Read more…)
Hysterical Love: review by Ali Levett @ A Woman’s Wisdom Book Blog:
“This is one of those books which exceeded all my expectations. I was expecting a romance with a couple of twists to the tale but what I got was something far deeper and more satisfying…If you want a book with many layers and to be thoroughly entertained by a cracking story then this one is for you.”
Hysterical Love: review @ Brenda Perlin’s Book Blog:
“Unpredictable, fascinating and deep with laughable moments that I connected to. Reality built into a fictional story. The author knows how to write a real conversation piece. There is a depth that makes this a book I will be thinking about for a long time.” (Read more…)
Lorraine Devon Wilke Reviewed: by Mark Barry @ Green Wizard Publishing:
“Lorraine writes beautifully, flawlessly, with dialogue you can hear rather than read, that snaps and crackles and sometimes, when she pitches it perfectly, is like the resonant ping of a silver spoon tapping on Waterford Crystal.” (Read more…)
After The Sucker Punch: a novel
• 2015 IAN Book of the Year Award Finalist ~ Independent Author Network
• 2014 B.R.A.G Medallion Honoree ~ IndieBRAG
Publishers Weekly: First Lines, June 2017: After The Sucker Punch:
A look at some of the best opening lines from titles by BookLife authors….After the Sucker Punch by Lorraine Devon Wilke: “One is obligated by moral duty to love one’s child.”
Kirkus Reviews: After the Sucker Punch:
Wilke writes with razor-sharp wit and radiant flair, and the prose’s high quality is the novel’s principal strength. She also sensitively portrays how real love and affection can survive and even flourish in an otherwise dysfunctional family. [Read more…]
After The Sucker Punch: reviewed by Georgia Rose Book Reviews:
“I finished After the Sucker Punch a while ago and have been pondering on this review. Without going into detail this was a painful read for me but I don’t hesitate in highly recommending it because it’s thought-provoking and exceptionally well written. There’s also a wry humour throughout which I thoroughly enjoyed…This is an elegant novel with everything in balance, each word perfectly positioned to maximum effect and I don’t hesitate to recommend it.” [Read more…]
After The Sucker Punch: reviewed by Lisl Zlitni @ Before The Second Sleep book blog:
“Devon Wilke’s aptitude for shining light on human behaviors and what motives, conscious and not, often lie behind them, is stunning in its capacity, lyrical presentation and raw reality. It’s not often the latter two of this triad pair together, certainly not well at least, but Devon Wilke does it while avoiding the pitfall of a bitter sarcasm so consistent it becomes a turnoff. Instead, she captures the strength and fragility of the human heart, teaming it with a character readers feel they could be a friend to because the duration of the relationship—for us, the length of the novel—benefits all quarters and not just Tessa’s.” (Read more…)
After The Sucker Punch; Judge; 3rd Annual Writer’s Digest Self-Published eBook Awards:
“This is a top notch entry that only leaves you wanting more. From the opening line to the closing passage, I was drawn into this character’s personal journey. Both emotionally and actively engaging, the author has simply done a fantastic job here. The depth and realism that encases this character driven literary fiction is so authentic, I almost wondered if it really happened… Her writing style is quite promising and captivating.”
After The Sucker Punch: reviewed by UK author/blogger E.L. Lindley:
“After The Sucker Punch is an aptly named novel because it packs a mighty punch and raises so many questions, I was left literally reeling by the end of it. Lorraine Devon Wilke commands our attention with a splendidly dramatic opening and never lets us off the hook until the very last page. LDW has captured the spirit of family perfectly in that there is no perfect family. Her novel is funny, warm, tense, angry and ultimately shows us that life is to be lived and there’s no point in dwelling on the past.” (Read more…)
After The Sucker Punch: Reviewed by Mark Barry @ Rosie Amber’s Book Blog:
“A sweeping, seventies, old school family saga that’s also long enough to engage you for a good week on the beach. In fact, it’s made for the beach and the airport. Beautifully written, light, accessible, I have yet to come across a book as good as this in Indie. In fact, you genuinely would not know this is an Indie book. It is sublime and – like many books we write – underappreciated, especially over here.” (Read more…)
After The Sucker Punch: review @ Publishers Weekly
“A realistic and profound journey of realization and forgiveness…a solid novel that admirably explores the fragile, fraught relationship between parent and child.” (Read more…)
After The Sucker Punch: Review by Mark Barry @ Green Wizard Publishing:
“Four factors mark Lorraine’s brilliant debut as something special. Firstly, her characters. Each so individual, so distinctive and so well defined, you can tell who is talking without the character being named. That’s no mean feat. Secondly, the dialogue is crisp, sassy and real, patter so realistic, you can hear it taking place. Thirdly, the way Lorraine links and merges the historical comments Tessa reads in the journal into the real time narrative is shrewd and repays rereading.” (Read more…)
After the Sucker Punch: review @ Brenda Perlin’s Book Blog:
“Full of heart, the essence of life and still sheds enough light to find the message of hope. This is powerfully written and I ate it up. Sharp, cunning and real. Loved the bluntness in the authors writing voice and the honesty. This is a very good read that amused me, entertained me and pulled me in.” (Read more…)
She Tumbled Down: a short story
She Tumbled Down: review by Ali Levitt @ A Woman’s Wisdom Book Blog:
“This short story of just 7300 words is more than a little sinister as Lorraine Devon Wilke weaves two storylines together to a conclusion which leaves real moral connotations in its wake… Although it gave me a chill, it is something many people can relate to – making that split decision which changes your future forever and from which you may never recover. Haunting and vital.”
She Tumbled Down: review by Carol Moye @ Compelled To Write Book Blog:
“This is a very well written story of a terrible tragedy and how it affected so many lives. Lorraine Devon Wilke is an excellent writer. I finished the book in an hour or so, fully captivated-mentally and emotionally. I was really pulling for the characters. It was quite easy to understand the complexities involved.” (Read more…)
She Tumbled Down: reviewed @ Brenda Perlin’s Book Blog:
“She Tumbled Down pulls the reader in from the very first paragraph. The author has a fine gift of telling a story in a way that plays out in living color. There is an authentic life-force in her voice. Real heartfelt emotion that comes across as true as day. There is lightness and there is dark. The story travels around to both sides. As a reader I wanted, hoping to know everything would turn out okay but guessing it would not. I was left to guess as I read at a feverish pace.” (Read more…)
AMAZON REVIEWS:
INTERVIEWS:
Print:
Weaving Stories About Life: Interview with Lorraine Devon Wilke @ Many Books
Guest Post: “The Writer’s Journey @ Natasha Orme’s Writer, Reader, Lover of Words Blog
Interview with Lorraine Devon Wilke About Hysterical Love @ Layered Pages
Virtual Book Club: Lorraine Devon Wilke @ Jane Davis, Author
IndieView with Lorraine Devon Wilke, author of Hysterical Love @ The Indie View
Self-Publishing: Author’s Experience: with Stephanie Moore Hopkins @ Layered Pages
The Smashwords Interview with Lorraine Devon Wilke
The Multi-Talented Lorraine Devon Wilke – with author Mark Barry @ Around the Cauldron!
Fiona Mcvie: Here Is My Interview With Lorraine Devon Wilke
Awesome Gang: Where Awesome Readers Meet Awesome Writers: Interview with Lorraine Devon Wilke
Sonya Kemp – A Lover Of Books: Interview With Lorraine Devon Wilke
Radio:
The Funky Writer @ BlogTalkRadio; Robert Batista interviews author Lorraine Devon Wilke
Sharing ‘Matters of the Mind’ with Dr. Peter Sacco and Todd Miller on ListenUP!TalkRadio
Literary Diva Presents: Author Lorraine Devon Wilke @ BlogTalkRadio
AWARDS/HONORS:
• 2017 Solo Medallist in General Fiction, New Apple Awards; Hysterical Love
• 2017 Finalist in General Fiction, American Book Fest Best Book Awards; Hysterical Love
The 3rd Annual Writer’s Digest Self-Published eBook Awards honors After The Sucker Punch with an Honorable Mention.
2015 B.RA.G. Medallion Honoree: Hysterical Love
2015 IAN Book of the Year Award, Finalist – Independent Author Network: After The Sucker Punch
2014 B.R.A.G. Medallion Honoree: After the Sucker Punch
Chosen as “Top 50 Indie Books” June 2014: After The Sucker Punch: Indie Author News
Selected for Fran Briggs’ Best of Summer Reading 2014, Part III: After The Sucker Punch
A Minor Rebellion: Quarter-Finalist in the 2014 Final Draft Big Break Contest
The Theory of Almost Everything: Top Finalist in the 2012 Final Draft Big Break Screenwriting Contest
A Minor Rebellion is chosen as an “official screenplay selection” in the 2018 Beverly Hills International Film Festival.
OTHER MEDIA:
Eureka Times Standard Author Roundup, Hysterical Love; May 2015
Spotlight: Hysterical Love by Lorraine Devon Wilke (playlist, giveaway), Every Free Chance Books
4-Star #Review #Giveaway of Hysterical Love by @LorraineDWilke, Crossroads Review
Book Announcement: HYSTERICAL LOVE, Literary Work Weaves Bold, Humorous Tale, 2nd & Church
Visit www.lorrainedevonwilke.com for details and links to LDW’s books, music, photography, and articles.
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