Interview
Thank you again for choosing to spend the day the world ends with me on The Lindsay Show! Hopefully we'll be able to finish the interview before the end ;) When did you know you wanted to be a writer?
I won a writing contest in 7th grade and have always been good at storytelling. Even while pursuing other careers the idea never left, and I have many workbooks full of story ideas from as far back as the 1980s.
Oh yay, congrats on winning! That's so awesome :) What has been the most difficult part about being a writer?
Balancing all the various hats I wear: business owner, wife, mother, friend, and writer. When I am in full on writing mode, everything and everyone else tend to disappear. I know it makes me appear uncaring at times, but that’s not true.
Yes, I've learned it can be so hard to keep everything separate. As indie authors, we must truly be jacks of all trades. Who are your favorite authors?
It depends on the genre. For Science Fiction and Fantasy I love J.R.R. Tolkien, Robert Heinlein, Stephen R. Donaldson, and Terry Brooks. In adventure Clive Cussler’s heroes are sexy and daring.
Those are some great authors and a few I don't recognize but will definitely check out! :) What authors inspire you?
All authors inspire me in one way or another. People don’t realize how hard writing really can be. It isn’t just banging away at a computer keyboard. You have to think farther ahead than the next paragraph.
I couldn't agree more. It is so much more than putting words on a paper and I admire everyone who undertakes this challenge! Do you like to plan your scenes out or do you just wing it?
I plan out the long range goal of the scene in relation to the storyline, but typically let the action develop as the scene unfolds in my mind. Luckily I ‘see’ words as pictures and that makes it easier.
I think that's a great way to approach it. Too much planning and you end up fighting with your characters in my opinion. What type of books do you like to read?
Just about anything. My mother was a librarian, and I grew up pulling books from every area when I was bored. I can be just as comfortable with a history of the world as with a romance novel. I don’t read hard core erotica however.
I love that diversity in interest! It certainly makes it easier to find a book to read ;) What do you like to do in your free time?
What’s free time? LOL, I like to garden or spend time with my family doing something outdoors. I like to play golf and ride horses; my interests are varied.
Hahaha I know right? Who has free time?! Where is your favorite place to vacation?
Across the bay from Puerto Vallarta city there is a small beach sheltered with palm trees and with the clearest blue water. The trade winds blow and a hammock between two trees has my name written all over it. Closer to home, we love the beach and the mountains.
Oo that sounds gorgeous. I wonder how hard it'll be to talk hubby into taking me to visit there :) Do you have any special holiday traditions?
We all gather together on Christmas night with our closest friends to enjoy prime rib and the works. No turkey or ham, and we play board games or watch movies, a nice relaxing end to an otherwise frenetic day.
Oh, that's lovely. My husband would love to get together with you since prime rib is one of his favorite foods lol. Why did you choose to write fantasy romance?
Oh, that's lovely. My husband would love to get together with you since prime rib is one of his favorite foods lol. Why did you choose to write fantasy romance?
I have always loved fantasy stories, especially epics. When I finally began putting words to paper, fantasy seemed the natural genre. And of course, no epic story is complete without an epic romance! Mine is a little more tame than most, but with a 15 year old daughter, I wanted to write something she and her friends could read without hesitation.
Love it and love that you wrote it so your daughter could read it too. My daddy will never be able to read my books because I can't imagine him reading the more intimate scenes lol. What has been the most fun about working on your books?
The most fun about working on my books would have to be seeing the story come full circle. I see these people in my head, and watch their lives unfold, and to have the ability to transfer that to paper and let other people enjoy the action is wonderful.
I agree, that's such an awesome feeling when it all comes together and everything unfolds! What has been the hardest scene for you to write?
Without a doubt, the hardest scene to write would have to be Vivienne’s rape. I wanted to make it clear what was happening without sacrificing the emotional crisis she is going through. My editor, the fabulous Greta van der Rol, really beat me up on that chapter.
I can only imagine how hard that scene would be to write! *hugs* Do you have any favorite characters?
Well, I love all my characters, even the villains. But my favorite would probably be the hero’s brother Theirran. He is a tortured middle child, handsome and a complete rogue. Guess it’s true what they say about liking the ‘bad boy’!
Theirran sounds great! I can't wait to read this :) Tell us about your hero and heroine please.
Vivienne is an only child, daughter of kings. Her life has been hard, due to the strange circumstances surrounding her birth when her mother died, and her future was cast by an enemy druid. She is quiet, shy, insecure and unsure she is ready for the fate suddenly thrust upon her shoulders. Vivienne is a Mystic, gifted with the ability to control fire and electricity. Devon is a Blood Warrior, a man born to fight. Her strength comes from her Protector, our hero Devon. Present at Vivienne’s birth, he is older but their relationship is unique, bound together by magic. His love for Vivienne is deep and strong; he waits for her nineteenth birthday before marrying her, despite knowing the hard road ahead of her. They are two parts of the same soul.
You do realize that now I really want to read your book right? Your characters sound amazing. How did you come up with the premise for the Guardian Trilogy?
I have always been a student of history, and I worked with computers for many years. After hearing a story about the Seed Bank Project, where seeds from all plants are being saved against any apocalypse, I began to think about how other forms of history, art, science, etc. could be saved for future generations; and what information would we not want future humans to know or emulate. That led to thinking what might happen if we were charged with creating a future better than our pasts. Soon Vivienne and Devon appeared in my thoughts, and the story developed from there.
I've just recently heard about that project! That's it, I'm running out and snagging your book right now lol. Can you tell us more about the world in which Catalyst is set?
Catalyst is set more than five thousand years into the earth’s future. Man has already destroyed most civilizations with nuclear weapons. But some people were saved in Sanctuaries, self-contained centers created by scientists and engineers to protect a remnant of humanity for repopulation when the earth was ready. The stories are set in the Five Kingdoms: geographic areas named from the centers from which they are descended. These are the Northern Kingdom, Western Kingdom, Southern Kingdom, Central Plains, and the Eastern Empire. Druids are the scientists of this world, protectors of nature against future destruction. However, constant exposure to various levels of radiation has changed humanity, given them powers of various types. There are three main talents: Healers, Warrior, and Mystics.
Your world sounds so rich and diverse. Love it! Tell us about the future books and when can we expect the next one?
Catalyst is the first of a trilogy, The Guardian Stories. Book Two has just been submitted, and should be out sometime next year. Another novel, set in the world of Catalyst, part of a series called “The Five Kingdom Tales” is also underway. Book Three is in the outline stages at this time.
Squeeee! I will have to be sure to get cracking on Catalyst so I'm ready for the next books! We are just about out of time, but can you tell us what's next for you?
Lots of writing! I have a short romance, set in the stables of international show jumping, which has been submitted but not yet accepted. I also am planning a children’s book, based on the rescue horses I work with, telling their stories and explaining about responsible pet ownership, no matter the size of the pet!
Always love hearing an author friend say they're up for lots more writing! Well Nancy, we made it through the interview without the world ending! Happy dance time!! Anything else you want your readers to know?
If you liked Catalyst – hang on! It’s going to be a bumpy ride through Book Three!
I, for one, cannot wait to read this trilogy! Thank you so much for coming by Nancy!
I, for one, cannot wait to read this trilogy! Thank you so much for coming by Nancy!
Thanks so much for the interview Lindsay, and good luck with your new book, “Breaking the Nexus”
Aww, thank you sweetie! *big hugs*
Catalyst...Buy it Now!
In a post-apocalyptic future, the fate of the rebuilding world hangs in the balance. An unknown power seeks the forbidden knowledge needed to unleash total devastation once more upon a fragile Earth. It falls to one woman to safeguard the future of the Five Kingdoms.
Princess of the West, Vivienne has been plagued by nightmare visions of past and future since the moment of her birth. Now, to save all she loves from destruction, she must rise above the crippling self-doubts that have assailed her since childhood to become the prophesied Guardian—because the enemy is moving, and the world will soon plunge into a war of sword and sorcery.
But who is the enemy? And who is a friend? Can Vivienne trust anyone apart from her sworn protector, Devon?
The answers lurk in the past—but should the past be destroyed to protect the future?
Buy it Now:
Meet Nancy!
Nancy Reece won her first writing contest in seventh grade, with an Optimist Club Award on "What's Right About America", and a life long passion was awakened. Born in Pennsylvania, but raised in the South, Nancy studied Psychology at Wesleyan College in Macon Georgia and Computer Information Systems at Southern Polytechnical College. She is married, and lives in the Atlanta area along with two children, two dogs, and a cat. In her spare time she is very active in animal rescue, especially horses, and is on the Board of Directors for Blue Skies Riding Academy, a 501c3 equine rescue dedicated to rehabilitating and retraining horses which have been redeemed from slaughter pens and other abusive situations.
Connect with Nancy:
Awesome interview! I really enjoyed reading it. Her book Catalyst Guardian Rising looks very interesting.
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