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An Interview With Nancy Christie

Tell us a bit about yourself. What would you like us to know about you?

I spend my days doing what I love best—writing. And when I’m not writing, I’m reading, or, in the summer, gardening. I love being outside and do as much of my work (and workout) in the outdoors as I can.

What are you doing now? (Career? Married? Single? Children? Pets?)

I am a “working writer”: I write just about every day, either on magazine or corporate projects or just writing because I love to write. I am also planning a relocation to California which will be a huge change for me! I have two adult children and one wonderful grandson, Zachary—and three cats who all think my desk is theirs!

What is your favourite food?

I love yogurt but it vies with gooey, cheesy pizza for the number one spot!

What is your favourite colour?

Purple—in all its shades and gradations.

What is your favourite sound?

The sound of water—the ocean, a river, even a small stream—any sound of flowing water.

Who is your favourite person?

Can’t possible answer that—too many are in the top spot!

What is your favourite place?

Anywhere outside by the water.

What is your favourite memory?

Walking through the woods as a child, hearing the animals, feeling the breeze, smelling the greenness that is nature.

What is your favourite article of clothing?

Any pair of jeans that fits and is super comfortable!

What is your favourite word?

Possibility

What is your favourite writers' quote and why?

Too many to choose from

What is your most favourite quality about yourself?

I don’t give up

What is the least favourite quality about yourself?

I’m stubborn and tend to be bossy (but then I am right so often…)

If you could go anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?

Greece. I have always wanted to visit the country and meet with the older generation to hear their stories.

What inspires you to write and why?

Writing has been a part of my life from childhood. Everything inspires me—bad experiences, wonderful experiences, sounds and scents—life itself inspires me.

What is your favourite book and why?

For fiction, anything by Shirley Jackson. My favorite non-fiction book (among a list of top favorites!) would be The Writer At Her Work—Volume 1.

What is your favourite genre and why?

Don’t have a favorite. My tastes run from espionage to self development to memoir to cozies to almost anything as long as it isn’t violent, obscene or involving acts of brutality toward the defenseless (which I know is a totally subjective judgment).

List your three favourite authors (any genre) and why?

Shirley Jackson—for her incredible ability to turn reality off balance.
Mark Helprin—for his wonderful writing ability. He uses words like threads to create a wonderful tapestry.
Agatha Christie—her autobiography showed me that writing could be a legitimate form of employment, even during the war years.

What do you think makes a writer successful?

Commitment to the craft and a dedication to hard work as well as an understanding that writing is a business.

Whta is it that makes you successful as a writer?

I’m committed, business-oriented, creative—and a little crazy at times...

What are your goals as a writer?

To use all my writing forms—fiction and non-fiction—to encourage people to look at life a little differently.

What is the best tip you can give to fellow writers?

Be willing to work hard, learn from your mistakes, and treat it like a business.

What do you hope to provide your readers with through your writing?

The confidence that they can make the changes they need to make if they just believe in themselves—and that they all have "gifts" hiding deep inside just waiting to be opened.

List your three favourite online writer-resource sites and why (include URLS).

Too many to pick although Profnet (profnet3.prnewswire. ... /index.jsp)is absolutely invaluable to me as a magazine writer

If you have published a book, tell us about your publishing success (title, publishing date and company, where it is available to purcahse).

The Gifts of Change (www.giftsofchange.com) is my first published book. Published by Beyond Words Publishing in 2004, it is available online at Amazon, Barnes & Noble and other online sites as well as in stores—and of course, my publisher’s web site (www.beyondword.com)!

How long did it take you to write your book(s)?

Just a year or two—but then, I thought I was just journal writing. I never planned to write a book—it just happened.

What would you do differently if you could repeat the same publishing experience?

Take a much more aggressive role in the marketing of the book—both before and after publication.

What have you learned about the publishing world?

Don’t assume anything, don’t take anything for granted, be willing to spend money to make money—hmm, sounds like starting a business.

This is your chance to 'Talk Back' to your readers. What would you like to say to them?

Believe in your own ability to make changes and improve your life. Never say “It can’t be done.” Anything can happen if you want it badly enough.

What's the one thing that you want them to know about your writing?

My writing comes from my heart.

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