Meet Romantic Suspense Author Nancy C. Weeks

Awesome romance author Nancy Weeks writes passionate romantic suspense. Nancy writes about forensic detectives, cowboys, computer nerds, and more. But the one thing they all have is romance. Nancy has just a released her newest book The Eyewitness.

Here’s more about Nancy….

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

Someone very dear to me told me when I was only twenty-years-old that I was going to have the most amazing life, one I couldn’t possibly imagine. Dang if he wasn’t spot on. To some, my life may seem normal. I have been a wife for more than thirty-five years and a mother for twenty- eight, and each year filled with one adventure after the next. The moment my sweet hubby and I moved from Texas and settled in our first apartment in Maryland, we were off to Germany. Talk about a perfect 5 year honeymoon. My labor began on our flight back home, a little too early. That was fun. My hospital chart listed me: seven month pregnant paraplegic and husband-homeless. Well, it all worked out. My dear son went back to sleep for three months while we settled into a nice home. My daughter’s appearance into the world three years later was a little less hectic – well, except that I almost delivered her on the Washington Beltway.

I decided before having kids that I wanted to be home with them. It went against the norm in the late 80’s, the beginning of the era when women did it all. One hectic career in the family was enough. So I became a stay-at-home mom — the bag lady: bag for the cub scouts, girl scouts, softball, swim team, baseball, dance class, hands-on-science, PTA etc, and I loved my life. The moment my kids were off to college and living their own lives, my world began very quiet. I put the bags away and began to write. I’m now plotting my eighth romantic suspense novel.

Where is your favorite place to write?

One of the great things about being an author is that I can write almost anywhere. If this was a perfect world, I would write outside surrounded by forest on one side and the ocean on the other with a light breeze filling the air with scents like honeysuckle and rose. Maybe one day. For now, I love to write on my deck, especially when my flowers are in full bloom. When I get bored with the deck, you can find me writing on the docks of the Annapolis harbor or downtown on The Mall in DC. If there’s no surface available for my laptop, I park, roll down the windows and lose myself in my story.

When did you first start writing and when did you finish your first book?

I actually didn’t begin my writing career until 2010. I thought about it so many times over the years, but never gave myself the freedom to just sit down and write. The draft of my first book, In the Shadow of Evil was finished in 2011. I immediately started the second book, In the Shadow of Greed, and finished the first draft nine months later. They rested on my laptop while I learned what it really meant to be a writer. In the Shadow of Greed was picked up first and published in April of 2013. That was the beginning of my dream. I write everyday to keep that dream alive.

How did you choose the genre you write in?

I write romantic suspense because I love reading romantic suspense. The romance between my heroine and hero, their internal conflict, the reason they can’t be together is what drives my story. Tossing a sniper into the mix, or an evil-out-of-control drone, or even a nasty cyber criminal at my characters while they are working through their issues and seeking a much deserved happy-ever-after is just plain fun.

Where do you get your ideas?

The romance of my stories comes from my belief that love is the most powerful element we have in this universe. Love conquers all. I create situations for my hero and heroine that keep them apart – conflict. Since I know these two people better than I know my children, I allow my imagination to dream up what somebody in love would do for their soul mate. The suspense element in my stories comes from life, the FBI website, the nightly news, and the strange, bizarre things that have happened in my world.

Do you ever experience writer’s block?

I actually don’t believe in writers block. There are times when I write my characters into a wall. When that happens, it means one thing. I failed to develop real conflict in my story. Sometimes I have to go back to chapter one and start over. Being a writer is hard work, and something that I have to love. If I ever come to a time that I really have absolutely nothing else to say, that will be the day I stopped writing and find something else to do.

Can you tell us about your challenges in getting your first book published?

I think the biggest challenge that I had in the beginning was finding out where to begin. I checked out books on publishing from the library and scoured the internet. But the internet is so full of misleading information sometimes. What finally placed me on the right path was discovering the existence of Romance Writers of America. That first hundred dollar yearly fee was hard to swallow, but it was the best decision I could’ve made. I discovered the Romantic Suspense/Mystery Chapter, Kiss of Death.

I join their amazing critique group called Lethal Ladies. It took another year to get published. But I kept writing, registered for workshops out the kazoo and sent out query letters. Each letter came back with a rejection, some automated—which means it was rejected before anyone even read it. Others had good advice, and I listened to that advice. Those rejections made me feel I was part of the game, a member of a unique club.

If you had to go back and do it all over, is there any aspect of your novel or getting it published that you would change?

OH Geez…so many things. But the one thing that stands out is the promotional aspect of publishing. Even after seven books, I still struggle with what to do to get my books into the hands of readers. My publisher can only do so much. It’s my job to develop a strong social media presence.  So New Authors: get your name out there, now! Create a website, blog about your writing journey, and get to know bloggers who love books. Visit their sites often and comment—because your day is coming, and the relationships you make now will help get your book out where it belongs, into hands of readers.

Can you tell us about your upcoming book?

The Eyewitness is the first book in a new series. I decided to keep my characters in the same world as the Shadow series for one reason—it’s so hard letting go of my sexy, amazing McNeil brothers, and maybe, one of them will find time to pop into this new series.

I dipped my toe into the world of forensic science in The Eyewitness. Above, I mentioned that I get my ideas from things in my world. I took a page out of the tragic sniper attacks in Maryland in 2002, The Beltway Snipers. My villains—the way all three series are connected—copy-cat on that event. Here is a short blurb:

Fans of TV’s Blue Bloods will love this dynamic new suspense series.

Maryland PD forensic scientist Emersyn D’Azzo has an explosive past with her father’s younger, sexy partner, Detective Alec Pearce. Then an ill-timed kiss destroys the thin line of trust between her and her dad, just before tragedy strikes and someone guns down her father.

The fatal bullet turns out to be tied to the ongoing spree of random sniper kills across the state, but Emersyn knows this wasn’t a random act of violence and is determined to find the killer.

To do so, she’ll need to rely on help from Alec, whom she doesn’t quite trust but just can’t resist. When they discover a connection to a decades-old disappearance of a college student, their investigation takes a deadly twist. Can they learn to trust each other with their hearts to save their lives?

What was your favorite chapter (or part) to write and why?

From Chapter One to the dark moment was uphill all the way.  I struggled with each scene because it was so hard sprinkling in just enough backstory for this book and still have two more books to write. The dark moment brought me to tears. But once I was in those ‘everything-is-going-to-be-all-right’ chapters, the characters took over and gave me a wonderful happy-ever-after.

How did you come up with the title?

The Eyewitness is the fourth attempt. Coming up with a title to begin this series was a bear. It took the whole house, both my home and my wonderful Crimson Romance family to nail down this perfect title.

What project are you working on now?

I’m now working on book two and am already receiving complaints from readers that they want Tessa’s story NOW. I promise I’m writing as fast as my life will allow.

Do you have any advice to give to aspiring writers?

Just write. That’s the biggest hurdle. Seek out workshops and conferences in your genre where you can really develop your craft. The publishing world isn’t always a nice place. Rejection is real, hard to deal with, but part of the dream. Don’t allow it to stop you in your tracks. When you are ready to jump into the pool, feel free to seek me out. I’ll hold your hand through it like so many authors held mine. Here is what I had taped to my laptop. Improve. Develop a thick skin. Write through it all.

Is there anything that you would like to say to your readers and fans?

Yes, and I promise to make this short. I have launched a new closed Facebook page for readers who would like to have a more personal relationship with me. It’s called Nancy’s Corner. Please stop by and check it out. I would love to have you. Enter as guest, leave as friends.

Zara, thank you again for hosting me. If any of your readers have questions, please don’t be shy. Ask me anything.

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Read an except of The Eyewitness here.  EYEWITNESS

Buy links

AMAZON | B&N

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And don’t miss her special offer  to my readers. 

***GIVEAWAY***

ANY DIGITAL COPY FROM MY BACKLIST TO ONE LUCKY VIEWER WHO LEAVES A QUESTION OR COMMENT

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Find Nancy C. Weeks at:

 

Nancy’s Website

Facebook Author Page

Facebook For Readers NANCY’S CORNER

Twitter: @NancyCWeeks

Amazon

Goodreads

Pinterest

 

 

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