Interview Nancy Brandt

by

Clarke Leeder

I recently had the opportunity to speak with Ms. Nancy Brandt concerning her new book, Fabric of Faith. I’d like to share that interview with you.

Could you tell us a little about yourself, Ms. Brandt?

Well, I'm a stay at home mom with a 14 year old daughter and a 20 month old son. I've been writing forever. I had a kidney transplant about 3 years ago and when our daughter was little, we lived in Germany for two years. That's where Fabric of Faith was written, when I couldn't speak the language of my neighbors and was pretty much confined to our apartment. I watched NBC Europe and listened to the BBC for English and wrote lots of pages every day.

Tell us a bit about the book.

Fabric of Faith is a special book to me because the plot came to me, pretty much complete, in one shot. It took a while to write, and I've made some changes to the original idea, but it was one of the easiest books I've ever written.

It's the story of unconditional love and forgiveness, both divine forgiveness and forgiveness of ourselves.

Mary Grace is a woman who knows the dark side of life and she tries to help others avoid it. One of the young women she tries to help is Ashley Meyers. Ashley's father, a widower named Chance, thinks he's doing everything he can to keep his children safe but he is blind to Ashley's anger and doesn't see what she's doing to herself.

Some writers say that in each book there’s an imprint of their own life experiences. Is this true of your novel, Fabric of Faith?

I think so. I've experienced some things in life I wouldn't want to repeat or wish on anyone else, but I haven't lived the kind of life Mary Grace has. She is a quilter as I am and she owns a quilting store, something that's a bit of a dream for me. I worked for a few years in a fabric store so I used that experience in the book, too.

Was any part of the book particularly difficult to write?

The only difficult part was when the book was first rejected because it wasn't really a romance. I had to go back and figure out where I could add emphasis on the romance part of the story.

Have you written any other books? And if so, are they of the same genre?

I've written a couple other romances, all sweet but not all inspirational. I also have a fantasy novel coming out with Wings in May.

What do your friends and family think of your writing?

My immediate family is thrilled. My husband is my biggest supporter and my daughter has even talked about becoming a writer herself. My mother is a little baffled, I think, but happy and supportive and the rest of the family are happy about my dreams finally coming true.

Many writers want to write a novel, but for a multitude of reasons, never quite accomplish the task. You have. Do you have any advice for these budding authors?

The only advice I have is if writing is what you REALLY want to do, make sure nothing stands in your way. I wrote for over 15 years before this book was accepted. I almost gave up a few times, but in the end, I realized that I can't not write. It's who I am.

When and where do you do your writing?

I write wherever and whenever I can get time alone away from the demands of being a mom. I have an AlphaSmart that I love and that allows me to write anywhere. I've written at my daughter's softball games and sitting on my bed next to a sleeping baby. Lately, I've been writing on my computer after 10 pm when my husband takes the baby upstairs.

Where do you get your inspiration for the subjects of your writing?

Boy, I wish I knew! Sometimes, something I read or see or hear will spark an idea. Not all of them are good, but some are. I try to watch people when I'm out in public and make up stories about their lives. I think everything is a potential idea.

Are there any publications that helped you when you began writing, perhaps a book or two you may want to recommend to a novice?

I couldn't write without Goal, Motivation and Conflict, by Debra Dixon. I've been known to go into a panic and race around the house if I can't find that book. It changed the way I plot my stories.

I also subscribe to Writer's Digest. That magazine has been a great help.

Belonging to Romance Writers of America is also a great help in my writing. Granted, they don't recognize me as being published, but that doesn't stop me from getting technical help.

Can we expect a sequel to Fabric of Faith?

I don't think so. The story ended pretty much where I think it should. I may someday write about one of the minor characters, but I don't have plans for that now.

Do you presently have a work in progress?

I'm working on a sequel to the fantasy novel that will be out in May.

What can we look forward to in the future?

I hope to concentrate on my non-traditional romances, fantasies, for example. I have a ghost story started that needs to be rethought, and I have an interesting idea about a Protestant girl who has visions of the Virgin Mary. I'm not sure where that will go, but I'd love to write it.