I Pen Designs

Interview Questions Say What News- July 2010:

1)  Early morning to you Mrs. Buchanan.  I would like to thank you for taking the time out early this morning and interviewing with SayWhatNews.  First tell us in three words who is Nanette M. Buchanan?  Blessed, Encouraged and Inspired.

2)  You are an author of three volumes of poetry, "Thoughts", "Thoughts & Reflections" and "Quiet Times".  What inspired you to write poetry?  To be quite honest my writing began as personal notes.  Any words about my feelings at that moment, words to bring my thoughts and emotions together and simple script that sparks the thought of others began to be daily entries.

3)  Nanette, your love for writing poetry inspired you to write novels.  When and where did you start writing (novels)?  While writing poetry, I started writing children stories.  I love motivating and inspiring youth however, I don't draw and saw no avenue for a novice in the field.  In 2007, I decided to make an attempt at my first novel.  Everyone has a story that relates to them personally and my first story stirred me.  I found after the writing of my first book and the sequel there were many topics that sparked stories I would and will pen.

4)  "Family Secrets...Lies & Alibis" was your first published work and your debut novel.  Tell us about the book and its characters.  "Family Secrets....Lies & Alibi's" tells the story of D.Q. Mince after his burial. The haunting truths of his life uncover the secrets of his remaining family members. His wife Tonya must face his mistress of thirty years only to find that as his wife she has not been left any of his estate. Tonya Mince will stop at nothing to prevent Nikki Robbins, D.Q.'s lover, and their son Darrell Mince from inheriting D.Q. Enterprises. The haunting truth of D.Q.'s love for Nikki surfaces as his will is read with a confession of his undying love. Nikki is now the new target for Tonya's anger. Darrell and Dershai find they are not just lovers who didn't want to reveal their relationship or what they knew about the deceased. The haunting truth of their love must now become their secret.

5)  Nanette you then wrote the sequel to "Family Secrets...Lies & Alibis", "A Different Kind of Love", what inspired the sequel to your first novel?

The book was written as a complete work "Family Secrets..Lies & Alibi's, however, it was a long read.  I divided the book in two parts as the chaos continued with the full story being revealed in the sequel.

6)  Is there a message you want your readers to grasp from "Family Secrets..Lies & Alibis" and "A Different Kind of Love"? Yes, many times loving relationships and/or marriages bring about children.  The separation of the parents for whatever reasons brings about anger, hurt, misunderstandings, etc.  The parents go on their separate ways and whether they have a relationship with the children or not, drama creeps in.  Without hesitation they soon find love again and children are born into another relationship, but often the siblings never meet.  In today's society there are many siblings that don't know each other and some who don't know their parents have other children.  My book tells the "what if" story.  We can't continue to keep siblings separated because of lost relationships, not distant relationships, lost relationships.  Our bruised emotions can't interfere with our children knowing their family.  These are not secrets they are what connects family history.

7)  Do you have a specific writing style?  I don't know that I do.  I'm trying to find my niche.  My first two novels are fiction, drama with a bit of romance and suspense.  My third novel "Bruised Love" is a murder mystery.  I love reading these type books something that keeps you wondering, "What if".

8)  Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing? I often find the story unfolding as I am writing it.  It is hard to stick to the original outline that seems to have a predetermined number of chapters and what is covered in each of them.  I never end where I think I will.

9)  Nanette you have since written a murder mystery, "Bruised Love".  What compelled you to write a murder mystery? I love a good mystery.  I wrote this book to challenge myself. I want readers to enjoy the content and see the parallels to reality and mysteries have to be realistic for an avid reader to enjoy them.  So it was a personal challenge.

10)  How did you come up with the title "Bruised Love"?  Love leaves bruises when we allow ourselves to be hurt or allow pain to enter our relationships.  At times we tend to walk away from relationships without ending them with an understanding that we can't love that way again.  People love us the way we allow ourselves to be loved.  When we let people abuse us, use us, or ridicule us for what they claim is love we become bruised, and sometimes it never heals.  So the way we're loved by the abuser continues on to the next relationship.

11)  Tell us about this murder suspense novel and its characters. Cassandra Smith, who left home for love, finds herself accepting abuse.  She has returned home to find her internal strength.  Mary Smith realizes her love for her daughter, Cassandra, has been smothered by her hatred for Trevor Black, the lover her daughter chose.  She must rekindle their severed relationship before it's too late.  Lamont Dearling has been warned, "A woman who has been abused, can never understand real love.", but nothing including Trevor Black will keep him from pursuing his childhood sweetheart, Cassandra Smith.  Trevor Black, the abusive lover and part time father of Cassandra's four children, has found he is no longer on top of his "game".  His abusive dealings on the street, other women and now Cassandra has caused problems that bring deadly consequences. Cassandra Smith, Mary Smith, Trevor Black, Lamont Dearling and the others, take the reader through pages of a riveting story of love, betrayal and murder.

12)  Your book covers tell a story, who designed the covers? The covers were my designs.  My thoughts were that if you pick up a book as a reader, the cover should speak loud enough for you to want to read the synopsis.

13)  Tell us about your latest news?  Currently I am registering all my work for distribution and preparing the latest release "Skeletons, Beyond the Closed Door".  I am enjoying the literary season, the months filled with book festivals, signings and seminars.  I'm looking forward to launching the "Authors Den" a meet and greet for authors and readers to network .  This will be a first for New Jersey and I'm beginning the planning stages for this endeavor. 

14)  Do you have anything you would like to say to your readers? Thank you for your continued support.  I'd love to have you join my site www.ipendesigns.net and stay connected with my upcoming events.  I am available for book signings and chats.  I'd love to hear from you all.

15)  What's next for Nanette M. Buchanan?  I will soon start publishing my children stories and greeting card line. My future plans include film and plays.