This week’s author is a person whose way with language is magical.
A dreamer, a story teller, and now a writer, Nancy O’Berry is doing what comes naturally. Born in Norfolk and raised in Virginia Beach, Virginia her love of horses and animals led to a move from her quiet neighborhood along the Elizabeth River to Suffolk where she resides with her husband, Lee and is surrounded by her three children and one adorable grandchild. No longer in the horse business, she and her son raise cows, dogs and cats.
Nancy writes for the Red Rose Publishing. 
Don’t forget to see her Character Interview at the end of this interview!
Where can we find you on the web?
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nancyoberryromance/
http://peanutgallery14.wordpress.com/
What’s your current project?
My latest project is a series of books centered around a fictional town in Wyoming, called Panther’s Landing. Here a group of Ladies from New Orleans set up their shop on the prairie. The shop of course is a high end brothel called Sweetbrier Academy. The house is run by Miss Opal Benedict and the stories are about three of her girls, Faith, Hope, and Charity. The first story Having Faith will be out in ebook on December 11th. The idea is centered around a high stakes card game between a Major in the army, a foreman for the railroad, his associate in accounting and another engineer. The highest hand wins Faith for the evening and can also become her paramour for a year. At that time, if he chooses not to continue the relationship, he must set her up in her own business.
What’s your genre and how did you choose it or have it chosen for you
I have always been a fan of western writers such as Louis L’Amour. Most of the HQN books I pick up are set in Texas or revolve around a cowboy theme. Having owned and ridden horses, it seemed like a natural thing to do.
Whose writing do you admire most?
I read lots of different genres. I enjoy Cathy Maxwell, Judi Mc Coy, Denise Jeffries, Aliyah Burke. I would love to be able to write like Debbie Macomber. Her writing style is very comfortable. It reminds me of someone sitting down and talking to you about friends and family.
What’s the worst piece of writing advice you ever got?
Put your pencil down and don’t ever write. You can’t do it. Perhaps I could have been much better at it, had that teacher given me a vote of confidence. I’m glad I didn’t listen to her.
Was there a special moment that told you “I’m a writer”?
Not one special moment but string of steps led me in that direction. Growing up there was nothing so special as going to the library. There sitting in the corner, I could read, visit, and plan adventures to faraway lands. My teacher often commented that “If I could put blinders on her and keep her mind focused in the classroom, she’s be a straight A student.” Now, I ask you where is the fun in that?
Dreaming often led to writing stories and keeping a diary. By the time I was in high school I had notebook upon notebook of “Adventures”. These stories were for my own entertainment at first, but I began telling those stories to my children a bedtime. It was in 2000 that I truly began pursuing writing. A friend told me that my stories were too good to give away. That’s when I began looking for local groups to associate with and learn the craft.
What is this romance writer’s idea of the “perfect romantic evening”?
A warm summer’s evening, walking along the beach just as the sun goes down. Listening to the waves rise and fall on the sand and feeling the warm breeze kiss your cheeks. You don’t have to talk, just hold hands and enjoy the fact that you are together.
(My toes are curling just thinking about it, Nancy!)
When did you attempt your first novel? What’s become of it?
I think my very first novel was written way back in 1973. It was scenes with dialog. I kept it in a notebook and later about 2000 I found it and played around with it. One or two lines from this manuscript gave me ideas for other stories that were much more flesh and bones. I still have it. I’ll keep it tucked in a drawer perhaps taking it with me when I die. I’m not one for sitting around doing nothing. It would give me something to read.
What one thing about writing do you wish other non-writers would understand?
Writing is not something that you can do and be done within an hour. I was once told I had to teach writing in fifteen minutes to a group of school children. That was crazy. Writing is a process that takes time.
The English language has only so many words. We all use words every day. It’s the arrangement and emotion that writers give to these words that make them stand out. When a writer does a good job, those words are memorable. They resonate with the reader; they send a verbal picture to his or her mind that can’t be erased. Sometimes you only have that one good line, or paragraph. Sometimes it takes days of working and re-working to get your point across. Writing takes time. You can’t turn it off or on at will. You can train it but in the end you have to have faith in your m use and let it go.
Here’s a fun addition from Nancy based on the characters of her soon to be released book.
CHARACTER INTERVIEW
It seems this article has now been turned in my direction. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Opal Benedict. I hail for the South, New Orleans to be exact. However do to the late great unpleasantness, I have been forced to relocate my business.
My business? Ah, I see, yes there is this bit about time difference. I provide affluent men with a chance at a diversion befitting their station. Out and about in this fair land, one travels either by coach or by train and this vast prairie can take days to cross in good weather. For this reason a friend of mine offered me a chance or rebuilding near the crossroads of Panther’s Landing and the Army fort which may offer a bit of protection. You see my ladies need not be disturbed.
Some may contend I run a house of soiled doves; however nothing can be further from the truth. My ladies have been educated, they are refined in every aspect of the term. Yet, they are free to choose or not to choose to exercise their talents in Cupid’s grove. Gentlemen come to play billiards, take a turn at the roulette wheel, or try their luck at a game of cards. Once a month we hold special balls which are by invitation only. In order to get an invitation, you must have at least five thousand dollars in your bank account or impeccable references.
Just this summer I held a card game. One of my ladies had a chance to choose her paramour. I hope you will read about her in Having Faith from Red Rose Publishing. I plan on taking pen to paper and writing the story of two more girls, Hope and Charity. I look forward to hearing from readers on http://www.myspace.com/lettersfromsweetbrier
Mark it!
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Pingback on Mar 12th, 2009 at 7:12 am
[...] Nancy O’Berry – Her way with language is magical. A dreamer, a story teller, and now a writer, Nancy is doing [...]
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Pingback on Apr 30th, 2009 at 6:06 am
[...] Nancy O’Berry A warm summer’s evening, walking along the beach just as the sun goes down. Listening to the waves rise and fall on the sand and feeling the warm breeze kiss your cheeks. You don’t have to talk, just hold hands and enjoy the fact that you are together. [...]
December 8, 2008 at 12:29 pm
I can’t wait, Nancy.