Nancy LaPonzina- A Rebel Sister drops by!

I'm so glad to have Nancy LaPonzina stop by today.  First of all, she hails from one of my favorite places to visit and she has some amazing writing talent.
NLP: Hi Melissa! Thanks so much for inviting me today to talk about my newly released women’s fiction, Nardi Point! It’s from Rebel Ink Press so we’re Rebel sisters!

Nancy, please tell the readers about yourself.
NLP: I write minutes away from Raleigh, the North Carolina state capital, in the beautiful countryside of Franklin County, with dear husband Thom, and our rescue Maine Coon cat, Copy. Growing up I spent a lot of time thinking about organizing a newspaper with
neighborhood friends. We didn’t know much about how it worked. We thought we paid neighbors to take our newspaper. That’s sad! My first story,The Missing Desk Mystery was written in second grade and greatly influenced by Nancy Drew. But then I read a little golden book, Nancy Nurse, and that shaped my career choice. So, while I spent most of my career as a clinical professional, my true joy came from technical writing, and providing website content. I discovered all things writing were my touchstones. 

My women's fiction explores thoughtful characters involved in challenging situations, and braids in touches of archaeology, the metaphysical, and alternative healing modalities. I’m a member of Romance Writers of America, Heart of Carolina Romance Writers, Triangle Area
Freelancers, Friends of the Youngsville Library, General Federation of Women's Clubs of North Carolina, Youngsville Woman's Club, Holistic Nurses Association of America, and the Coe Foundation for Archaeologic Research. 

What television sitcom is most like your family?
NLP: Though not a sitcom, any TV interview format programming would be my choice: Regis & Kelly Live (no longer) and Ellen …shows like that. Why? Haha … because my husband and
I have host chat every morning over breakfast! And lots of laughs.

That sounds like a fun morning.  Too bad we can't come into your kitchen every morning. What’s your favorite thing to do to relax?
NLP: Reading and puttering in the garden.

Don't tell me that you are a gardener.  I can't seem to keep plants alive, so I leave that to my hubby. If you had to be one of your characters, which would you be and why?
NLP:  Hands down, Leyla Jo Piper. She’s Laurinda’s best friend and interested in alternative healing modalities and natural heritage folkways of North Carolina. Aware of synchronistic events, Leyla Jo taps her heart for
decision and direction.

Now on to some silly questions.  Do you prefer…
Beer or wine?
NLP: Wine
Exercise or watching tv?
NLP: Reading and writing over both. DEFINITELY not exercise!
Coke or Pepsi?
NLP: Pepsi was invented here in North Carolina!
Living without a car or living without your computer?
NLP: Computer. I can spend the entire day in “flow” busy on my PC. The hours shoot by!

Now let's find out a little about you as an author...Did you always want to be an author?
NLP: I wanted to see my name on a book, to write it, add an illustration, and tie it all together with pink satin ribbon. I even taught myself to touch type at about ten years old so my “book” would look like the real thing!

What authors had an impact on you growing up and as an adult?
NLP: A lot of the classics …Jane Austen, George Elliot, Allesandro Manzoni, then Sarah Allen Addison, Marilyn Brandt.

Did anyone in your life influence you or encourage you to be a writer? (teacher, family member, friend)
NLP: My sophomore high school English teacher, Mr. Henry Blair. He always seemed interested in my writing. He suggested I try poetry. When I did, my poem was selected for publication in a national teen magazine … twice! I was so excited!

Congrats on the poem!  I love writing poetry. I think it is the way pictures are created with so few words. What is your favorite aspect or writing? Your least favorite?
NLP: Starting a new story, getting together an outline … yes I’m a plotter … and even revision. I’ve found that’s where the magic happens! My least favorite is the waiting to hear from publishers and agents!

What aspect of writing would you most like to improve on?
NLP: My characters are thoughtful, so it’s sometimes difficult to have all their thoughts accurately portrayed from the point of view character.

Do you have any “must haves” with you while you’re writing?
NLP: I like quiet. I don’t snack. I have all my notes and resource material stacked on the floor beside my desk.

Do you have a common theme or item that appears in each of your books?
NLP: Alternative healing therapies. Also, I’d like readers to come away saying, “I didn’t know that before,” and be glad to have the occasion to learn something new.

What have you learned the most from being in the writing business?
NLP:  How different the business of marketing is from writing. It’s a 180 degree shift!

Tell us about your latest release: (blurb, excerpt, cover)

Should the past make way for the present
...

Stylish, brunette Laurinda Elliot is the type of accomplished business woman glossy magazines feature on their covers. Effectively managing a software product development team in Raleigh, North Carolina, Laurinda's drive and savvy delivers all the perks: an upscale
townhouse, Porsche Boxer convertible and designer clothing. Yet she now yearns for a different success—one that brings surprising first time experience with vulnerability. Her uber software code developer partner Dan Riser, can't buy into the new direction she leads them, but goes along to keep the peace, and more importantly, beautiful Laurinda. 

Or the present make way for the past—and love ...

When prehistoric Native American pottery artifacts are discovered on the couple's North Raleigh building site in the Nardi Point subdivision, the ancient past collides with the present and Laurinda and Dan's relationship hangs in the balance. Laurinda must trump construction economics and greed to preserve commitment to her dream, uphold her friendship with holistic healing practitioner, Leyla Jo Piper, and answer to a new romance, all while attempting to conserve North Carolina history. Will digging up the past, bury her future? 

Nardi Pointexplores the thread of life that blends past, current, and future to recognize the importance of knowing who we are in the story of life.



How did you decide on your story plot?
NLP: This idea about Native American artifacts and my work volunteering at the State Archaeologist Department came together in this wonderful story. I wanted to let readers know the importance of a responsible attitude toward archaeological resources. They are limited and irreplaceable. Nardi Point explores the importance of archaeological conservation.

How did you choose your characters names and location for your story?
NLP: I had to think about the names for Laurinda and Dan. But Leyla Jo just popped in one day. One of my editors thought Leyla Jo was a horrible name!

Do you have a favorite scene? Why?
NLP: I love the scene where Leyla Jo considers the land that’s been cleared for building. It’s very organic.

Do you have a character that you identify with? Who and why?
NLP:  Again, Leyla Jo. My holistic nursing background coincides nicely with her philosophy and intent.

Thank you for stopping by! I enjoyed hearing about your characters and your story. Let our readers know how they can get a hold of you…
NLP: Thank you so much Melissa! I’ve enjoyed it!

Purchase Link: http://www.amazon.com/Nardi-Point-ebook/dp/B007US8S0O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1335143858&sr=8-1

Blog: www.nancylaponzina.wordpress.com

Book Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4IvixrsfiE

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Nancy-LaPonzina/345726075455168

Twitter: @NancyLaPonzina

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