Interview With Author Blaize Nolynne
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Thirteen under three pennames
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Racing the Golden Hour: Flame and Cancer
Racing the Golden Hour: Flame and Fire is based upon an experience inspired by the author’s grandmother. Her grandmother battled many different cancers, ending in her brain. A year later, in February, the doctors found that the cancer had returned and was given one year to live.
During the time the author was given with her grandmother, there were many deep conversations, including her grandmother asking, ‘What would you do with one year to live?’ a question that inspired the whole book. The answer in the book was based on the author’s own list of she was given a year to live. Her grandmother spent her year much differently and spent it with her family. However, just like the main character, Steven Williams, the author’s grandmother did not end up with the whole year. She was diagnosed in February 2013 and passed away in July of the same year.
Blaize was, at the time, twenty-five years old and life seemed to pass by fast. She had seen breast and lung cancer, ended up with brain cancer, and then returned the following year. However, one thing that Blaize in her grandmother had done since the original brain cancer diagnosis was to make cancer baskets and chemo baskets for the cancer centers. Blaize states that was an inspiration which she continues to do each year.
Blaize obviously couldn’t fit twenty-five years’ worth of memories into what she was trying to capture or her grandmother’s memory into a fictional story. So instead, she put a ‘firefighter’ twist on it since her firefighter series ‘District One Stand By’ was one of her grandmother’s favorite books. Unfortunately, she didn’t realize that when the book was initially published as ‘The Captain’s Last Year,’ her grandmother would not see it published.
Devastated by what cancer took, Blaize continued to write the manuscript into a book. She tried hard to put in the lessons her grandmother tried to install into family members and what kind of impact she held in the community.
Blaize recalled a conversation she had with her grandmother asking her ‘What she would do with one year to live?’ which inspired a lot of what the main character, Steven Williams, does in the book. She stated she wanted to change the community and leave it a better place before departing. Blaize would like to bring it back to people talking to one another and knowing their neighbors. That heart would want to give back, no matter how sick she was. Inspired by hearing about ‘barn raisings,’ she was inspired to incorporate that piece of the older stories of her community back into the book.
Although her grandmother’s journey with cancer stretched out for twelve long years beginning with cancer, it also was twelve life-changing years. The last portion of that journey went way too fast. Even if it were watching someone you love have cancer and trying hard to take the pain away, it would change you for life.
In 2013 Blaize decided to go into the medical profession to help others, as she didn’t want them to suffer and endure what her grandmother had to take. She continued as an author as she began facing what patients struggled with and holding the hands of strangers.
Blaize continued in the medical field for nine years and then returned to being an author full-time. She has been blessed to have such memories.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Yes, I get up around 2 am and start to write. I usually start writing way before breakfast. I also keep a notebook near my bed.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Nick Vuijick, Life without limbs. He inspired me with the fact you can do anything, even with the situation is not favorable.
Dan Brown, James Paterson and many more.
What are you working on now?
Rereleasing my firefighter series as well as ‘Shades of Pink, Shades of Hope’ a fictional story about the journey with cancer.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I do social media, websites, ads and interviews
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep writing! No matter how bad the first draft is KEEP WRITING!!! You can always readjust!
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
‘Stop and smell the roses’ as funny as it is, my husband often tells me to stop and slow down and enjoy life.
What are you reading now?
Life without limits by Nick Vuijick
What’s next for you as a writer?
I will continue to write
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Dr. Vincent Peale ‘The Power of Positive Thinking’
Nick Vuijick ‘Life without Limits’
Nicholas Sparks ‘The Notebook’
Author Websites and Profiles
Blaize Nolynne’s Social Media Links