Interview Nancy Minnis Damato

by

Neal Sillars

1) What made you want to write?

My entire life I was always the child with the imagination, considered a little ditzy, somewhere in never-never-land. My friends grew accustomed to poking me when my face showed that faraway glazed look, then teasing me into telling about my thoughts. Writing, fantasizing, daydreaming come as second nature to me, and I have never known a day or situation without experiencing at least a snippet of a story. It would feel unnatural to not be thinking about plots, characters and settings. I finally said, “I have to have the time to write, that’s what I’m all about and, what I want to do for the rest of my life.” And so... I do.

2) The Pawn is set in Illinois and Arizona--are these states that you know well?

I grew up in Illinois, married and returned there for a short while. My people come from the area of the setting for The Pawn. It wasn’t until 1994 that I even tendered the idea of living elsewhere. Arizona is such a departure from the Midwest and has it own stunning, dramatic austerity and beauty. The states foster different types of people, too. Settled, rooted, solid Midwesterners opposed to more adventurous, less encumbered, relaxed westerners. All likeable for their uniqueness. The Pawn explores these differences and the underlying connections that cause all people to act within or outside of their particular peculiarities.

3) Josefina Taylor, the heroine in The Pawn, is a strong, willful woman--do you see part of yourself in the character?

Don’t I wish. No, I’m reserved, timid, a “people pleaser” which is what makes Josefina so fascinating for me. Although I’ve held several responsible positions and worked all my life, Josefina’s passion is to satisfy her ambitions, follow her heart’s desire, and nothing stops her. Not until late in my life did I risk “my folly” and begin a new career in writing.

4) As an avid reader, do any particular authors influence your work?

A Woman Of Substance by Barbara Taylor Bradford is the all time favorite of mine. Detailed and evocative settings along with brutally challenged characters turned a familiar storyline into a new best seller. When I studied how she did this, the craft of writing took on a new importance. As is said, there is no new plot, no story line that has not already been done. It’s the duty of the author to make us believe it’s all new.

5) How do you write?

The computer’s steady green “on” button stays lit about eighteen hours a day. I love to write--and to rewrite. I usually have breakfast, exercise (ugh) to loosen my arthritic joints, do errands and have fun before settling into tornadic writing marathons. Because of a full calendar penciling in the priorities of my friends and family, nights are the only hours I find solitary quiet time. I seldom go to bed before 1:00am and usually it’s closer to 2:30. I sleep in, then sit at the computer early in the day if an idea that germinated in my dreams demands instant attention or the answer to a problem bursts into my sleep--which happens often.

I write without outline, knowing the beginning, the ending and my purpose in writing the story. Fragmented sketches of scenes arrive fully developed onto my mind’s screen. But in every novel, a stranger, an unknown, walked onto the stage of the storyline and had to be dealt with. What fun that is...

6) What does your family think of your writing?

My family will read The Pawn the same day as my readers. Isn’t that a kick? Although my husband cooks, does laundry, cleans house and takes messages to give me more free time, he wants the book in his hands before he’ll feel free to celebrate. My children are curious, but seem afraid they might have to avert their eyes, avoid answering my questions or lie about what they think. I’m confident all six of them will be pleased, shocked, proud, amazed, astonished, and unbelieving. And in order for them to appreciate the value of my work, they’re buying their own books just as they would any other author.

7) How do you come up with ideas for your writings and why do you feel you choose some over others?

Josefina Taylor’s story had to be written, I had no choice. She popped into my mind and wouldn’t let go until her story was told.. Much of the background, both setting and the sense of community of 1880 has been repeating since for a great number of women and their families. Not the historic incidents, but the overall tale of love, betrayal, ambition, greed, and revenge and how these emotions scar or free people and how one survives. It’s not about male bashing, making excuses, or blame. It’s about taking the cards we’re dealt and winning the game.

Belonging, a Feb 2006 release, came as the natural follow-up to Josefina’s story. It opens the wounds and feeds the festering that is born in The Pawn.

8) Do you belong to any writers' groups and do you find them valuable?

Romance Writer’s of American, although my novels are not classified as romances. These local organizations share the best information available to learn the craft of writing, have great networking, and, best of all, happily celebrate your success. If there’s a mean body in any of the local clubs, I have yet to find it. Also, Arizona Authors and Northwest Valley Authors, like other local writing communities, offer lots of helpful information about publishing, marketing, research, etc. A band of skilled and willing helpful writers are an invaluable resource.

However, my critique group of seven that gathers once a week to praise, shred, explain, dissect, and dig into my “whys” and “what fors” can’t be done without. It’s amazing how much is in the writer’s head that doesn’t find its way onto the paper. If you don’t have a “good” critique group, create one. Be courteous, kind and honest. Make rules and become friends. Our group writes fantasy, paranormal, romance, inspirational, historical, and literary books. We learn from each other and are the first to shout “well done” when the work deserves approval.

9) Have you written any other books?

The Pawn is my first novel. I’ve had several short stories and a travel column published prior to this, but this is the “baby”. My public writing background began when I worked for the state government drafting legislation which is a substantially different type of writing. What freedom the world of fiction gives to our imaginations and what fun.

10) What attracted you to Wings e-Press?

Like all authors, my manuscript, The Pawn. was sent off to a number of agents and publishing houses. It came home with glowing rejections, interest, solid support, but, “not for us at this time.” Meanwhile, Wings kept coming up in the conversations at various meetings. I interviewed about a dozen Wings authors and they all impressed on me how cordial the staff is, how supportive, doesn’t take everybody, working toward an exemplary stable of authors-- nothing negative. That’s a dream come true for a writer if they can get accepted. Their letter offering a contract for The Pawn is framed and in my entry, the letter for Belonging hangs in my office, and I still have space for more. I will “second” every word of praise I heard. Right from the start they were professional and welcoming. What a welcomed combination.

11) What are you working on now?

The third book of the legendary Taylor family saga, Separate Worlds, has finished edit, and I’m preparing it for submission this month. The core of the story begins the summer before World War I. Three siblings are caught behind the lines in France, Belgium and Italy where they find themselves scheming against each other. Then another single title, which follows somewhat my father’s life as an orphan during the depression, boasts three chapters complete. And lurking somewhere in the vacant canals of my mind is a dark tale about an ordinary woman who lives two lives--the facts and the rumors--which is the truth and who can prove it.