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Karmic Debt

What the Living Do follows a woman navigating the wreckage of her past, a harrowing cancer diagnosis, and the line between self-destruction and redemption, all while searching for meaning and healing. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?

I have been curious about what happens to the animals hit on our roads and wondered about those who had to dispose of them. If it was a woman doing that job, what would she be like? What would make her want a job that would bring her so close to death? She would have to be tough or want to be bullet-proof, and she would need a history that caused her to be so tough. Most stories begin with the question, “What if…?” So I asked, “What if she was diagnosed with cancer?” Well, maybe she thought she deserved it, and maybe she believed she didn’t deserve any of the good things in her life… hence, Brett was born.

How did Brett’s character evolve during the writing process?

For the most part, Brett is frustrated and frustrating. She pushes back against the good in her life and seriously considers running away to die. Through her encounters with animals—ones she hits, ones she finds, and her sweet dog, Beckett, she starts to pay attention to what is true. Even though she doesn’t seem to be listening to anyone, she actually hears everything. Most readers want to give her a wake-up slap but ultimately find they can understand and relate to her character.

What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?

The misguided idea that illness or disease is somehow deserved was the underlying theme. How we ask ourselves, “What did I do wrong?” when faced with a grave diagnosis, having an accident, suffering a loss, etc. From believing that God is punishing us for our sins to imagining we must repay a Karmic debt to what we ate or drank… many of us experience guilt when misfortune falls. We assume it must be our fault.

I also wanted to highlight the exploitation of sexual pleasure in children, and how those experiences can have damaging and lasting repercussions on one’s sexual attitudes.

Grieving is a long, long process, and everyone’s process is their own.

There’s also a nod to how difficult it is to adopt when one isn’t able to birth one’s own.

What do you hope readers take away from Brett’s story, especially those who may see parts of themselves in her struggles?

That it’s not your fault! Shit happens. And to find comfort in the goodness in one’s life, whatever form that might take.

Sex and death consume much of thirty-seven-year-old Brett Catlin’ s life. Cole, ten years her junior, takes care of the former while her job disposing of roadkill addresses the latter. A cancer diagnosis causes her to question her worth, suspecting the illness is payback for the deaths of her father and sister. Thus begins a challenging journey of alternative healing that she doubts she deserves. Just as Brett surrenders to the prescribed cure, a startling discovery sends her on a more profound exploration of cause and effect. Encounters with animals, both living and dead, help her answer the question: who is worth saving?

Posted in Interviews

What The Living Do

Feb 3

Posted by Literary Titan

Susan Wadds’ debut novel, What the Living Do, is a haunting exploration of Brett Catlin’s life—a woman grappling with the echoes of her traumatic past, a devastating cancer diagnosis, and the delicate balance between self-destruction and survival. Through Brett’s introspective journey, Wadds crafts a story that is both raw and beautifully poetic as Brett navigates her relationships and the fragmented pieces of her past to find healing.

Wadds has a way of weaving words that feel like they’re sinking straight into your bones. Early on, Brett’s job handling roadkill becomes a visceral metaphor for her internal state. I couldn’t shake the image of her burying a young dog in the hard-packed dirt, her thoughts unraveling like the rib bone poking through the carcass. These moments, uncomfortable yet profound, bring Brett’s pain and search for meaning to life.

Wadds isn’t afraid to show us the beauty and brutality of survival. Her conversations with Mel, who teaches her to pray for animals rather than to them, are some of the most grounding moments in the story. These exchanges are a quiet counterpoint to the chaos of her dynamic with Cole, her younger lover. The contrast between Mel’s stoic spirituality and Cole’s boyish longing for stability highlights Brett’s own turmoil. I also appreciated Wadds’ portrayal of Brett’s past trauma and how it reverberates into her present.

The novel doesn’t shy away from difficult topics—childhood abuse, survivor’s guilt, and the weight of familial expectations. Yet, Wadds handles these with sensitivity and grace. The recurring motifs of fire, ash, and the lingering scent of smoke are haunting reminders of Brett’s unresolved grief. They mirror her struggle to reconcile the ghosts of her family and her own self-worth.

Wadds writes with a compassion and honesty that is rare and deeply moving. What the Living Do is perfect for anyone who isn’t afraid to confront the messiness of life, grief, and the hope of healing. Fans of literary fiction with emotional depth will find much to admire in Brett’s journey.

Pages: 253 | ASIN: B0C1P62CS5