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On The Table Read Magazine Get an Interview Author Nancy Chadwick The Wisdom Of The Willow, “the best entertainment Ebook magazine UK“, author Nancy Chadwick shares what inspired her to write The Wisdom Of The Willow, and her creative writing process.
Written by JJ Barnes
I interviewed Nancy Chadwick about her life and career, what inspired her to start writing, and the story of her new book, The Wisdom Of The Willow.
Tell me a bit about who you are.
I am an author and essayist who writes stories of the natural world. I like to find the simple in a complicated world.
When did you first WANT to write a book?
I first wanted to write a book when I was fifteen and I wrote a poem, “To A Tree.” My mother followed up by giving me a pink hard-cover journal. I wrote on lined pages about the natural world and me trying to find my place in it. I believed there was a theme there to what I was writing. And it all started with a tree.
When did you take a step to start writing?
Shortly after I got married, I quit working full-time to write full time. That was twenty-seven years ago! While studying the craft of memoir, I wrote a first draft of my memoir. I had many more steps to take before I could call it a memoir.
How long did it take you to complete your first book from the first idea to release?
Under the Birch Tree took about twenty years to write, from conception to release. After writing my initial draft that took about a year, and another year of rewriting, I put the manuscript in a drawer to sit awhile before pulling it back out to submit for critiquing.
How long did it take you to complete your latest book from the first idea to release?
The second book took me about three years from the first draft to release. The book was completed before the pandemic. It took a while to get into my publisher’s queue (She Writes Press) post COVID, so I had to sit tight.
Focusing on your latest release. What made you want to write The Wisdom Of The Willow?
I thought of what the natural world has taught me. While out meandering through any forest or green space and facing life challenges, I came to rely on the peace, the solitude, the mind-clearing effects from being among the flora and fauna. I reasoned that if I was going through life challenges, that other women faced similar situations too. I wanted to write a book with a story that included relatable experiences.
What were your biggest challenges with writing The Wisdom Of The Willow?
The structure of the book is written with alternating points of view to ensure the reader would experience each character in the best, deepest, possible way. Keeping all the characters straight was a challenge!
Who or what inspired you when creating your Protagonist?
A willow tree. The willow tree is my main character as I am inspired by its symbolism of flexibility, adaptability, and endurance. The willow tree is a model for the sisters, as memories were made under the willow, and is a metaphor because of its symbolism.
Who or what inspired you when creating your Antagonist?
The common challenges women face in their mid-lives – finding their places in life – is what inspired me to create my Antagonist.
What is the inciting incident of The Wisdom Of The Willow?
Margaret Dowling, mother to four daughters, becomes inflicted with a terminal illness and she shares this with her youngest daughter, Charlotte, who must keep it secret.
What is the main conflict of The Wisdom Of The Willow?
There’s a lot of conflict going on! As each sister faces her individual life challenge, they don’t want to lose the collective sisterhood they share. With the impending death of their mother, who hopes she has instilled wisdom to carry them through, they grapple with her loss.
Did you plot The Wisdom Of The Willow in advance, or fly by the seat of your pants and write freely?
I fly. I am a declared pantser.
Did you get support with editing, and how much editing did The Wisdom Of The Willow need?
Yes, I did get support from a developmental editor. The book did not require any major editing, but because I tend to overwrite, and The Wisdom of the Willow leans toward literary fiction, it needed tightening.
What is the first piece of writing advice you would give to anyone inspired to write a story?
Read many, many stories. Do you ever finish reading a story and think how you didn’t expect it to end that way? Or you wouldn’t have made the main character so understanding and . . . nice. Focus on what you liked and didn’t like about the story. And then write the one you think should be told differently, using those reasons you cited, to make it your own.
Can you give me a hint about any further books you’re planning to write?
My next book, Mercy Town, is a novel that continues a published short story I wrote a few years ago. It’s about an accidental shooting, an unforgiven killer, ten years later, a divided small town finds mercy.
And, finally, are you proud of your accomplishment? Was it worth the effort?
It was definitely worth the effort!
Pop all your book, website and social media links here so the readers can find you:
Apple Books: https://apple.co/3SKxsf0
Kindle: https://amzn.to/46DXjex
Paperback: https://amzn.to/3yzWg2A
https://nancychadwickauthor.com/
https://www.facebook.com/nancychadwickauthor/
https://www.instagram.com/nanceepics/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancy-chadwick-burke-32814867
https://linktr.ee/nancychadwickauthor
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