1. Tell me a about yourself. What got you started in writing?
I am naturally curious. I am drawn to exploring, it feeds my
curiosity. I sometimes stumble upon cultural artifacts and I long to know how
they got there, who they belonged to. This drives me to research and of course
from there I have to tell the story of what I have found. Biography takes me to
other times, not unlike a time machine. I love it.
I don’t really schedule my writing time. The beginnings are
usually an historic person, event or object. When find an idea or theme coming
to me and I jot it down. I explore further from that point and go with
research.
3. How and where do you write? Do you prefer a lap top or some
other method of getting your words down?
I write from my hand-written notes, usually to my laptop, but
can also rely on hand writing. A connection happens when I explore with my pen
or pencil.
4. What's your favorite part about writing? Your least favorite
part about writing?
Telling the story is my favorite part of writing. Finding a
thread that other folks will relate to, and then following that path that takes
them to another person’s life, that’s fun.
Nothing is least favorite. Nuts and bolts are all part of
writing and it can feel as though the mechanics are taking up time but it’s all
part of the work, and work it is. You must love your work.
5. How did you come up with your book idea? How long did it take
you to write your book?
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| Get the Book at Homestead Publishing |
My book subjects have literally found me. My first book, Mattie, A Woman’s Journey West, came
about from exploring and finding a gravesite in Yellowstone Park. A story just
shouting to be told. The words on a gravestone can speak loudly and straight to
you. Mattie’s life had twists and turns that only became apparent after my own
twists and turns of research. It felt like a miracle when home sources of
Mattie’s came to me. Nothing she had written, but much of what friends had
written for her in the form of a young working girl’s autograph book. Oh the
fun of detecting all the lives that intersected with hers. They told me
Mattie’s story.
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| Get Singing in the Saddle here |
Singing in the Saddle, The Life and
Times of Yellowstone Chip was quite the same—Chip found me.
Working on a renovation of an old Montana Dude Ranch I found a bit of
information from scribblings by Chip Samuell, an entertainer and wrangler from
the 1930s. After researching his life and then finding some of his own writing
and music, it was clear he had a story to tell, so I also had a story to tell.
6. What types of marketing do you do to promote your writing?
While my publishers do some of the marketing I find that it is
not enough. So, I research where my subjects would do well, make contacts in
historical groups, libraries, museums and book stores. I also us my website and
social media to promote signing and events.
7. What are you currently working on? Do you have a new book out?
My current book is a biography concerning the works of Utah
architect Richard Kletting. While he designed hundreds of buildings he is most
known for the Utah State Capitol Building. I am co-authoring with Salt Lake
architect and historian Allen Roberts. What a fabulous experience--to
co-author. Two minds working to create and share a life story.
8. Do you have a project on the back burner? Tell me about it.
Three different projects vie for my attention. There is another
biography that threatens to be told. It is still in the research stage but asks
the question, “Myth or reality.” A first-person theatre piece is just about
finished—all about an artist who broke with social norms to pursue her art.
Thirdly, there is a woman who was constantly in the limelight of the 1880s mining
towns because of her “profession.” She, and an adversary, have a brief and
violent story. This could be an article but also has potential for a book.
9. What would you tell a beginning writer who wants to publish but
doesn't believe he/she has enough talent?
Just make a beginning, don't hesitate. Words can always be written until they speak for you. "Talent" is a combination of imagination and hard work. Often, I am ask how I got the idea to write a biography. It is simple: with a person's life itself. Their life dictates my direction. And I say, be ready for anything, a life can take an unexpected turn.
Website:
http://nanweber.com/
Publisher website pages—
Mattie, A Woman’s Journey West:
Mattie, A Woman’s Journey West:
Singing in the Saddle, The Life and Times of Yellowstone Chip:
Facebook pages—
Singing in the Saddle, The Life and Times of Yellowstone Chip:
https://www.facebook.com/Singing-in-the-Saddle-The-Life-and-Times-of-Yellowstone-Chip-118811578203044/
https://www.facebook.com/Singing-in-the-Saddle-The-Life-and-Times-of-Yellowstone-Chip-118811578203044/
Book Trailers—
Mattie, A Woman’s Journey West:
Singing in the Saddle, The Life and Times of Yellowstone Chip:
https://youtu.be/TJkiHmy2jG0
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