Nancy Henderson - A New York State of Mind
I’m thrilled to have as a guest for my blog today author Nancy Henderson. Nancy has graciously agreed to answer my questions, silly and non. Sit back and enjoy my interview with Nancy.
And Nancy, thank you very much for the opportunity to interview you!
Where are you from?
I’ve lived in New York state most of my life. I’ve traveled through the east coast quite a bit, never been out west, but I’d love to travel to Arizona someday.
How long have you been seriously writing?
I wrote for publication six years before I first became published in 2004. I wrote all through high school and often got in trouble for daydreaming. I was really plotting novels in my head! LOL!
How many hours a day do you spend working on your stories?
It varies. I work full time, so I write nights mostly and sometimes on my lunch hour with my Alphasmart.
What is your self-editing process?
I write a really horrible first draft, then go through it five or six times before I send it to my editor.
What happened when you found out your first story was being contracted?
I first received “the e-mail” (instead of “The Call”) at about five o’clock in the morning. (The e-mail was sent at night, but I hadn’t checked it until morning the next day.) At first I thought it was a joke, then I thought it was a scam. Finally, the truth began sinking in. It was then that I started doing the Snoopy Dance. LOL!
What was the best piece of advice you were given in regards to your writing?
Don’t quit. Ever. I know that sounds cliché, but it’s so true. Keep writing, no matter what. The more you write the better you become. And read a lot. Read everything. Even outside the genre you write in.
Are you a plotter or a pantser? Why?
I’m a pantser. I love not knowing how the story will end as I’m writing it. That’s what drives me to keep going when I slagging through the middle.
How do you avoid interruptions?
I haven’t mastered this one yet. Life always interrupts. I work full time, so I rarely have an entire day to write. I write in small increments, ten minutes here, a couple hours there. Soon it adds up to an entire book. I just keep plugging away. That’s the only way I can get things done.
What organizations are you a part of and how have they helped you?
I belong to RWA, RWA’s From The Heart chapter, and a local critique/writers’ group. My local group has been invaluable to me. I love the fellowship they offer. Writing is so solitary. It’s wonderful to meet up with them and just talk about books, writing, whatever.
What have you found to be your most effective form of marketing?
Blogging. I think I receive more hits from my blog than my actual website. I also have bookmarks made for my books, as well as postcards, pens, etc. If you’d like any promo items, please e-mail me your snail mail address at: nancyhenderson2004@yahoo.com
If you could do one thing different in regards to your writing career, what would it be?
I wish I could write faster. I’d really like to be one of those writers who crank out ten books a year. I’m currently writing two books a year. Oh well, someday…
What is one problematic area you have with your writing and how do you fix it?
Finding time. I’ve learned to write in little bits of time. That really adds up after awhile.
Do you have critique partners or beta readers? Why?
I have a critique group I meet with once per month. It’s great, we all write in different genres so I can have a mystery or a science fiction writer critiquing my work. It really adds perspective to what I’m working on at the time.
Were you always a writer? What did you do before you started earning money as an author? Do you still do this?
I work in an office. I still work there. I work with mostly men so it’s nice that I can bounce “hero” advice off them at times. The other day I asked a male coworker “would this hero think this way?” He told me I was way off and steered me back on track on how men think. LOL!
Who has given you the most support along this creative path?
My family. They are so supportive of my writing. My mother is another great one to talk out plot problems with. She writes children’s books.
What piece of advice would You give to aspiring writers?
Never quit. Ever. And read everything you can get your hands on.
What do you do to refill your creative well?
I read a lot. Visiting museums and forts inspire me, as do movies. I’m a hopeless movie buff.
Just for fun, what or who is your favorite:
Drink: coffee
Movie: Last Of The Mohicans and Titanic
Actor: The late Heath Ledger, and Sean Connery
Actress: Meg Ryan
Book: Soul Song by Marjorie Liu; Bag of Bones by Stephen King
Color: green
Holiday: Halloween
Season: summer and fall
Saying: “Cool beans!”
Historical person: John Butler, Joseph Brant, Thomas Jefferson, Crazy Horse to name a few (can you tell I’m a history buff???)
Nancy loves to hear from readers. Leave a comment here or drop her an e-mail. Her e-mail address is: nancyhenderson2004@yahoo.com