Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Nancy Segovia is many things to many people. To her husband she is friend and prize winning cook. To her five daughters she is mom a sometimes inspiration and an all the time pain in the neck. To her grandchildren she is “Totally awesome!” -their words, not hers. And, to her students she is a hard task master who encourages them to excel and browbeats them into mastering the concepts of proper paragraph construction.
Nancy, herself, returned to college at the tender, young age of 49 and graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Art’s Degree in Religion. She then continued on with her education and pursued and achieved two master’s degrees – the first from Northwest Nazarene University is a Masters of Arts in Religion and the second from the University of Denver is a Master of Liberal Studies in Creative Writing. She drew from this advanced education the skills and knowledge she used to write Shine: How To Walk the Talk which is scheduled was released in May, 2013.
Prior to returning to college, Nancy achieved publishing success in many areas with successful publishing credits in poetry, children’s literature, short stories and full length novels. She has worked as a newspaper journalist, a managing magazine editor and currently teaches English Composition for several universities.
Of herself she says, ” When not writing or teaching, I like to take online classes in a variety of areas including history, education, religion and philosophy. I also read and watch TV. Much to my shame, I really enjoy reality TV shows like “The Bachelor” and “Survivor.” When not doing any of those things, I play with my three dogs and five cats as I love animals. In the past, I have raised and cared for horses – quarter horses and Thoroughbreds – geese, chickens, fish, birds, roosters, hamsters and once a pot-bellied pig.”
Nancy believes that creation and all its beauty, grandeur and diversity is a direct reflection of God’s majesty and power. One of her favorite quotes reflects this philosophy. It is:
“There is not one blade of grass, there is no color in this world that is not intended to make us rejoice.”
John Calvin
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is Shine: How to Walk the Talk, and it was inspired by my own personal search to become holy and perfected, and the realization that it not only was it impossible, but that giving up was unacceptable. This book describes that search and it is my hope it will inspire others to seek their own perfection and holiness.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I simply cannot listen to music while I am writing. I love, love, love music and I know many writers receive inspiration from listening to music while writing. I simply cannot do that because I get too distracted by it. My mind starts to drift away with each melody and I completely lose the train of thought I was riding/writing.
Also, when I am in the middle of writing a novel, it is like having a baby in the house. The novel calls to me at 3 a.m. demanding attention, demanding to be released from my thoughts and given a place of permanence on the written page (computer file – nowadays).
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Aldous Huxley, Anne McCaffrey and Frank Peretti, and a couple of writers who are fairly new to the publishing scene: Elizabeth Hunter and J.R. Rain.
What are you working on now?
A young adult fantasy novel titled: Dragon Tears
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
You know, I honestly don’t know yet. I’ll tell you that in a few more years when I have it figured out.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write, write and then write some more, and when you are not writing read about writing, and then write some more. Never give up on yourself or your dreams. If you can conceive it, then you can accomplish it. However, don’t let your ego get in the way. Be willing to learn, to take advice, to get help and critiques, and to start over as many times as necessary to get the job done correctly. Remember, there is always a better word, a better phrase, a better sentence, so don’t fall in love with your “babies” because sometimes they have to be sacrificed for the better good of the finished work.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
To Thine Own Self Be True – Hamlet
What are you reading now?
J.R. Rain – Vampire Games; Elizabeth Hunter – Blood and Sand; A Contrarians Guide to Christianity; Chicken Soup for the Dog Lover’s Soul; More Glimpses of Heaven
What’s next for you as a writer?
More writing and more publishing
What is your favorite book of all time?
That is impossible to answer but…my standard answer to this question is: Exodus by Leon Uris
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