Meet an Award-Winning Author

Today I have a guest with me who is a brilliant, award-winning author and just happens to be a member of my NC Scribes writing group. I am pleased to introduce you to Nancy Wakeley. Nancy's first fiction novel, Heirloom, is the one we'll be talking about today.

Hi, Nancy.  Have a seat and tell us a little about yourself; where do you live and what do you do besides write great books?

I live in Apex, North Carolina, a little town near Raleigh, with my husband, Dan.  We have one daughter and son-in-law and two grandsons and our “extra” son, too.

I like to do volunteer work through the Peak City Exchange Club, a local civic group.   

That's so nice. How long have you been writing?              

I've been writing for over 20 years but only published my first novel, Heirloom, in 2020.  

What type of writing do you normally do?                 

Novel length fiction but I write poetry too.  

Interesting. Can you give us a brief synopsis of your book, Heirloom? 

"Heirloom (A Kate Tyler Novel") is about a young woman who is already in a life crisis when she inherits Howard's Walk in Eden Springs, North Carolina, after the sudden death of her twin sister, Rebecca.  The last thing she wants is to be tied down to an abandoned estate and its neglected once-famous gardens.  She vows to sell it as quickly as possible.  But on her first visit to Howard's Walk, Kate finds a family heirloom, an embroidered tablecloth, that Rebecca had left behind.  That connection, and the deepening sense of loss Kate is feeling, convince her to stay--at least for a little while.  Secrets begin to surface within the old house and she questions the connection she feels with a mentally challenged young man from the farm next door.  But there is someone in the town who is determined to take Howard's Walk from her and Kate must decide what Howard's Walk means to her and whether she has the strength to battle for its survival as well as her own.  

What prompted you to write the book?               

I have always wanted to write a novel,  just to see if I could do it!

Well, obviously you can write a novel and it's one that kept my interest from start to finish. Your descriptions and imagery are spot on  and leave lasting impressions. How long did it take you to write Heirloom?

I worked on it off and on for over twenty years!  But I finally finished it after I retired.  

 Do you have a favorite line from the book?             

"She opened the French doors and let in the mist so that the outside was inside, and she dreamed and listened to her heartbeat and the distant rumble of thunder and the sound of water dripping from the eaves onto the slate below.  She smelled the damp bark and the soil that was constantly grinding the leaves back into itself.  She could almost hear it."

 Is it published?                 

Yes, it was published in July 2020 by Torchflame Books in Durham NC

How can my readers get a copy?              

Both of my books, Heirloom and its sequel, The Legend, are available on Amazon, Kobo, Target, etc.  but I am happy to provide a signed copy of the book simply by contacting me at nancywakeley2@gmail.com

Do you have any advice to would-be writers?           

Just start!  Find a subject that you are passionate about and write a few chapters and see how it works for you. If you are able, attend writing workshops, online courses, etc.  There are also many books on writing in your local library.  I still keep favorite books on writing close at hand and refer to them often.  

What do you wish you knew when you started your writing career?             

I wish I had known more about the business side of publishing a book and marketing it but I am learning all the time.  

What’s next for you?             

I am writing the third book in the Kate Tyler series.  The second in the series, "The Legend", was published last April.  

Nancy, it certainly was a pleasure to sit and talk with you. I am half-way through The Legend, and loving every minute of it, especially the line, Large stone churches stood guard over the people of the town, both living and dead. Such a picture you create! 

So to my wonderful readers, I highly suggest you get Heirloom and then The Legend. Snuggle up with a blanket as you read, or go to the beach, soak in the sun, and immerse yourself in a darn good story.

Quote of the day:  I don’t read in order to study the craft; I read because I like to read. Stephen King

  

Books, Flu, TV, and Eyes, Oh My!

Happy Mid-March everyone! I apologize that it’s been three months since my last blog. I have no excuse except I’ve been trying to stay warm this winter. We’ve had a few nice days in the 70s, but a LOT of COLD days in the 30s. And I thought this was the sunny South! I guess I haven’t moved far enough south yet.

Now that I’ve made my apologies, let me bring you up to date.

1.      Testing Michael, my seventh novel about children in the Civil War, is going to be taught in the history class of a private school in St. Augustine, FL this semester. I am thrilled beyond belief. If all goes well, I’m planning a trip down there this spring to meet the students.

     2.  My eighth novel, Restoring Simon, is finally finished, other than some last minute editing and designing a cover. Hurray! This story is about Simon Epstein, from Buffalo, NY, who goes to France to join the fight in WWI. If you remember, and I don’t blame you if you don’t, Simon is the father of Danny in my book, Remaking Danny.

  3.      Six members of my writing group, NC Scribes, have had a combined total of 56 stories published in various Chicken Soup for the Soul books, so many that the publisher calls us The Chicken Coop. Last month we met at a member’s house for a TV  photo shoot for a local television show, The Tar Heel Traveler.  The five-minute show was recently aired. Two years ago, the NC Scribes published an anthology called 9/11: That Beautiful Broken Day, about our reminiscences of the day the towers came down. We were on The Tar Heel Traveler at that time, as well.  So, I’ve been on television twice! The line forms at the left for my autograph. 😊

 4.  I received word recently that I may have a third story coming out in Chicken Soup for the Soul, this time for the Out of Your Comfort Zone edition. I’ll let you know if I make the final cut.

.      5.  In January I had cataract surgery on my right eye. The next day I got the flu, the regular kind people have been getting for ages. That laid me up for a week or more. In May I’m having my left eye done; hopefully, without the flu or any other disruptions.

I hope you all had a productive winter, in addition to trying to stay warm. This has been an unusually bad winter all across the country.

I’m open to any suggestions for my next novel; the only rule is, it has to refer to someone in one of my other books, as they are all connected to each other in one way or another. All are available on Amazon in print, digital, and audio. My books have all been about young boys, because I find boys to be more interesting and way more daring. However, gulp, I may consider doing a girl this time. 

I plan on getting back to you sooner next time. Until then, Happy St. Patrick’s Day. 

Quote of the Day: The sun did not shine. It was too wet to play. So we sat in the house. All that cold, cold, wet day. Dr. Seuss, The Cat in the Hat