A Peek Into Your Life Nancy Wood

A peek into your life, is a segment spotlighting authors, specialists, and friends who brave my countless questions day in and day out. It's the best way I can share with you all, the many people who taught me the bizarre things I know, who satisfy my thirst for knowledge and adventure, and who keep me motivated.

I met Nancy Wood through a publisher we share and her mystery series intrigued me. You can visit her at her site HERE.

Her books Due Date and The Stork are about a woman who agrees to be a surrogate mother for cash, but soon discovers that something is amiss with the family she is carrying twins for. I have yet to read it, but am looking forward to diving into this one. I jumped at the opportunity to interview Nancy and find out a bit about her writing and her life.

Where did you get the idea for The Stork?

This book is the second book in a mystery series. I got the idea when I was attending a writing workshop. The idea I'd come with was a dud, and I came up with this idea while working in a group. That was over ten years ago. It took me five years to finish the first book in the series, Due Date, and six more to finish this one. Hopefully the third won't take as long! The character's name is Shelby McDougall. In Due Date, she's fresh out of college and decides to become a surrogate mom. But the intended parents are not who they seem, and have their own agenda. The second book picks up Shelby's story five+ years later. The third, the one I'm working on, will be set in the not-too-distant future.

 

Is there a message you try to pass on while writing? Or a theme that emerges naturally?

When I was writing this book, I realized that I always like to write about nature. I live in a beautiful part of the world (Santa Cruz, California) and I love to place my characters in the outdoors, so that I can write about what's around me.

What is the best thing that has come out running your blog?

Definitely my author interview series. I post an interview every week with an author. I love meeting other authors, learning about their books, and discovering tidbits about the writing process.

Where do you do your best writing?

At my desk, on my computer. My ideal writing time is in the morning, just after I get up, with my cup of tea.

What book would you recommend as "this is a book every writer should read”?

I really benefited from Your Book Starts Here, by Mary Carroll Moore. It's an excellent how-to book with sections on planning, writing, and developing the story. Her wisdom really helped me figure out the inner and outer stories and how to weave them into a coherent whole.

What one thing did you learn that you wish to pass on to other writers?

When you're writing, try to ignore that inner critic. I think everyone has one, and it will get you every time! I know from years of personal experience. My critic often perches on my shoulder as I write and I have to work really hard to not listen.

What is the best thing about where you live?

Access to the outdoors, with multiple places to go to get away from it all. I live close to several state parks that span acres and acres of land, encompassing coastal redwood forests and beaches along the Pacific Ocean. I love to hop on my bike and ride along the trails, or walk along the coastal path.

Based on your experience or research, what is a great place to travel to or visit? Why?

I was lucky to be able to spend last summer in the city of Ghent, Belgium. It has not been discovered in the sense of being on the heavily travelled tourist circuit. It's a university city, and is the second largest city in Belgium. The interior of the city, the ancient part of the city dating back to the middle ages, is a pedestrian zone, with only busses, trolleys, and taxis allowed. The city is crisscrossed by canals, and has retained its beautiful medieval architecture, including the Gravensteen Castle; St. Bavo's Cathedral, with the famous Ghent Altarpiece; three beguinages; and dozens of churches. I discovered the brand-new library, De Krook, and was in heaven. It was built on a curve (de krook) in the Scheldt River and is a real marvel.

Thank you so much Nancy for the peek into your life! That sounds like a place I for sure have to add to my travel list. Thanks for recommending Your Book Starts Here, that isn't one I read!! 

For more information about Nancy, or to check out her books you can find her at:

Website and blog: nancywoodbooks.wordpress.com

Twitter: @NancyWoodAuthor