I’m pleased to introduce Nancy Curteman, author of three novels and two children’s musicals.  He latest book, Murder Down Under, is available now as an ebook and the print book will be released by Solstice Publishing shortly.

1.         Where are you from?

I’m a transplant from the beautiful state of Idaho and have lived most of my life on the majestic Pacific coast. After graduating from San Francisco State University with a major in history, I studied at the University of Nice in France and have a Masters in French Literature and in School Administration. I have had a career as school principal and taught college French. I currently live in California.

2.         Tell us your latest news? 

I’m excited to announce that Solstice Publishing has just released my third novel, Murder Down Under, set in Australia. The ebook is available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble. The print version will be released soon.

3.         When and why did you begin writing?

I first started writing in seventh grade at St. Mary’s Cathedral School under the tutelage of Sister Delores Marie who told me I had talent. I believed her and have been writing ever since. I began writing my first mystery novel about fifteen years ago. I had so much fun creating my characters that I decided to write a series of mysteries that included some of those characters. The other thing that figures in my writing is travel. I love to travel and I love to read mysteries so I now set my mystery novels in the places I’ve visited.

4.         When did you first consider yourself a writer?

I believed I could be a writer at a young age when I received praise from my parents and friends for my efforts. I became more confident in my skills when I started writing nonfiction pieces as a young adult. I didn’t consider myself a real writer until I published my first novel.

5.         What inspired you to write your first book? 

That’s a good question. Inspiration can come from the strangest places. I decided to write my first mystery novel during my tenure as a school principal. A school environment consists of parents, kids, teachers, and district office personnel. All I had to do was observe the idiosyncrasies and intrigues that abound in a school environment, pick a couple of them, expand and embellish them then wrap a story around them. That’s how I came up with my first novel, Lethal Lesson.

6.       Can you share a little of your current work with us?

I’m writing a mystery novel set in South Africa. The story takes place in both Cape Town and a nearby Township I call Ikhaya. The novel continues the Lysis Weston mystery series and includes three of my best-loved characters from previous novels. The plot, while it revolves around a murder, allows me to share elements of South African Township life and Xhosa tribal culture.

7.       Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?

I learned several things writing my first book. I learned that I enjoy rewriting as much as writing and that the real polishing of the novel occurs during rewriting. I discovered it’s true that your characters can sometimes influence the outcome of your novel. For example, in two of my novels I had decided who would commit the murder only to have my characters point me to a different villain with a different motive. I guess one of the most important things I learned is that you must be very careful about reviewing final proofs sent by a publisher. I’ve found several proofing errors that had to be corrected before the book went to press.

8.       Do you have any advice for other writers? 

Be patient. Agents and publishers receive thousands of query letters a year. Most agents will get to yours, but it may take more than six months.  Don’t feel rejected by rejections. There are hundreds of reasons your novel may be rejected. Realize that most of those reasons have little to do with the quality of your story.  Be persistent. If you are writing because you hope to be published one day, don’t give up. Keep sending queries out on a regular basis. I set a standard of sending out 5 queries every week. Send your queries to agents and small independent publishers. Mary Higgins Clark, the queen of mystery, was rejected 40 times before she was finally accepted for publication. These days writers should also consider self-publishing. Why not follow in the footsteps of authors like John Grisham and Tom Peters who self-published their first books.

9.       How many books/stories have you written?

I’ve published three novels and two children’s musicals. One of my musicals, A Musical Salute to America was presented on KQED Public Television. I’ve written several plays for school productions.

10.       Do you have any suggestions to help others become a better writer?

I have lots of practical suggestions for perfecting writing skills. In fact, I have a blog that is largely dedicated to strategies for improving writing. I address development of main and supporting characters, plot, voice, theme, editing, writing query letters and synopses, marketing—I could go on but it would be best for your readers to visit Global Mysteries.

Nancy’s ebook is available at Solstice Publishing, Smashwords, and Amazon.

How often have I heard this lament from my fellow writers?  Maybe you need to get away, but you don’t have the money?  Here’s a helpful website that lists some sample opportunities, everything from money to cover a simple conference fee to help with a six-month retreat.   We all have to find a way.

More than forty writers braved the torrential rain this morning to pitch their projects in hopes of landing an agent or publisher.  I was proud to chair the event with the help of the officers and volunteers of the Women’s National Book Association – San Francisco Chapter.  Our keynote speaker, Zoe Carter, read from her novel Imperfect Endings, and shared her journey to publication.

Just got word that my editor’s new novel, Pictures of You, has been chosen as the January book selection at all Costco stores. Check out her interview in the Costco Connection.  If my book wasn’t chosen, I’m happy that her’s was.

Members of WNBA with Joyce Maynard

Book Passage, Corte Madera, October 14, 2010 — Enjoyed a delicious lunch and listened to famed author, Joyce Maynard, (far right) talk about her writing process.  Can’t wait to read her new book, “The Good Daughters,” which she graciously autographed for each attendee.

I joined a group of dynamic women yesterday in Tiburon at the home of Lynn Henriksen, President of the San Francisco Chapter of WNBA, for the purpose of planning the fall schedule of exciting events.  WNBA is a non-profit organization with some 800 members across the country with a mission to promote reading and support the role of women (and men) in the community of the book.  If you live in the Bay Area and would like to join us, you can get more information here.  Hope to see you at one of our upcoming events soon!

Linda Lee, owner of Askmepc-webdesign, Allegra Harris, Sales and Marketing Manager at North Atlantic Books, and Glenda Ewing, Poet and author of MIRROR OF MY SOUL, shared their knowledge of online marketing, book promotion, and computer skills at the East Bay Mixer.  The next WNBA event will be “Speed-Dating” by the Bay, on March 27th, 9-12:30 p.m. at Sinbad’s Restaurant, Pier 2, San Francisco.  If you live in the SF Bay Area, don’t miss this exciting event.  I know I won’t.

Today I’m happy to feature fellow author Micki Peluso, from Staten Island, New York.  After a tragic accident, Micki wrote …AND THE WHIPPOORWILL SANG as a catharsis for her grief, salvation and for her sanity, as she and her husband learned to weep . . .to laugh . . .to grieve . . .to dance.  This funny family memoir of love, loss and survival, can be purchased or ordered at any bookstore, on Amazon and other online bookstores.

I love to find out why other authors write.  Below is Micki”s poignant essay on why she writes. 

ESSAY ON WHY I WRITE
AKA
“A ROSE BY ANY OTHER NAME”

Writing is how I express the emotions not exposed through any other outlet. All the feelings that encompass my psyche, subconscious mind, and yes, even soul, must be written down on a large yellow legal pad with an Erasermate pen. This most sacred experience allows me to examine my feelings, to cope with the school of life. To pass the test.

Who and what I am and hope to become are evident in my stories. In romance, I am the character searching for love, in paranormal, I am the character facing his/her demons, real or imagined. Humorous stories disguise me in my character’s blase’ take on the foibles of daily living. In every story that I write, I am there.

My losses, sorrows, joys, loves and dreams are forever etched in print. They cannot exist without me, nor me without them. Yet, I do not write to live, or live to write. Writing helps me make sense of the drama called life. Writing soothes my soul, heals my sometimes broken heart. I will one day pass on to another realm, but my writing will be my epithet.

It is an avenue of escape in an uncertain, sometimes frightening world – where love is fragile, dreams shatter, hope is dashed, then renewed. Writing takes me through the dark tunnel to the awaiting light. Writing is not what I do . . . It is who I am.

Find out more about Micki and her writing here.

Celebrating National Reading Month on October 15th with fellow WNBA members, plus food, wine and readings by local authors Kathi Kamen Goldmark, C.W. Gortner and Tanya Egan Gibson.

Enjoying a moment with Vice President, Allegra Harris, and President, Lynn Henriksen.