Nancy Sartor is a Nashville born writer, a charter member and current president of Word Spinners, Ink, a member of RWA, a current Board member of KOD and SEMWA; a member of MWA. She is an enthusiastic graduate of Don Maass’s workshops (nearly all) and the Writer’s Police Academy. She and her husband, nationally known award-winning classical composer and conductor, David Sartor, live in Rural Hill, Tennessee with a Maine Coon Cat named Autumn Fire who really runs the place.
How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?
Three. Bones Along the Hill and Blessed Curse tie as my favorites
Can you tell me about your book(s) or series?
Bones Along the Hill is a suspense. Blessed Curse and Christmas Across Time are paranormals. Bones skates the dark side of human trafficking and explores healing and regeneration; Curse connects two women across time to heal one and free the other; Christmas romps between the Opryland Hotel and the Two Rivers Mansion in a ghost story about possession, compassion, forgiveness and love.
What do the Titles if your books mean?
Bones Along the Hill’s Neva Oakley is a facial re-constructionist for her father’s funeral home. The bones are along the hill in the Oakley cemetery. Blessed Curse deals with a significant life event that is seen as both a blessing and a curse; Christmas Across Time deals with ancient lovers who’s love has persevered across centuries of time.
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
In grammar school
What inspired you to write your first book?
From a trip to Rugby, TN. Although Bones Along the Hill was the first published, Blessed Curse was written first.
Where did you get your inspiration for your stories?
A trip to Rugby for Curse; For Bones, I woke at 3 a.m. to use the facilities. As I crossed the bedroom floor, a voice said, “Hi. My name is Neva and I fix the faces of the dead.” From that the novel was born. For Christmas, my publisher asked for a Christmas novel. “Two people wind up in the same place,” she suggested, “and then there’s a ghost.”
How long does it take you to write a book?
For freakin’ ever, particularly for suspense. The paranormals go a little faster.
What is your work schedule like when you’re writing? How do you balance daily life with writing?
I don’t which is why it takes forever. I work part-time and now with COVID, I work from home. The good news is, I don’t have to get dressed or drive. The bad news is the work day never actually ends. At least when I was going to the office, I had work time and me time. Now, it all seems to be work time.
What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
I write in silence. Fortunately, my award-winning composer husband also needs silence, so our house is very quiet when we’re writing.
How do your books get published?
Through Boroughs Publishing Group
What does your family think of your writing?
Most of the have liked them.
What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?
That getting the first draft written is just the beginning. The magic happens during the 500 edits it takes to make my first drafts good books.
What is the first book that made you cry?
I honestly have no idea
Do you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things do they say?
They have so far made encouraging and complimentary comments.
Do you listen to music when you write? If so, do you create a Playlist for your books?
No. I must have silence.
Who are your favorite authors?
Alix E. Horrow is a new fave. I’m reading her Once and Future Witches right now and losing myself in her prose. I’ve enjoyed books from all the big name authors and many of the mid lists, but lately, I’ve enjoyed checking out those whose careers have just begun.
Not all writers write all the time. Do you have favorite movies or TV shows?
Yes. We just finished binge-watching Evil. We generally spend a couple of hours watching moves and Netflix originals every night before bed time.
Any hobbies?
Reading, of course, knitting, herbs, gardening, swimming, weightlifting
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