Friday, September 4, 2020

AGAINST THE ODDS. Nancy Cole Silverman on writing through tough times

HALLIE EPHRON: One of the things we can all agree (rare and precious right now) on, is what a lousy year it's been. On so many fronts. Nancy Cole Silverman had a double whammy. 

The good news is she has a fantastic new book,
THE HOUSE OF THE SETTING SON, a fitting capstone to her Misty Dawn mystery series.

NANCY COLE SILVERMAN; For me, 2020 started off as a challenging year. After completing book 2 of the Misty Dawn Mysteries, and the eighth book in as many years, my husband and I took a much-needed vacation, an Egyptian river cruise, from which I returned with a case of what I call, Corona-lite. While my doctor wasn’t able to test for the virus, as testing was still not easily obtained, I didn’t need a test to tell me I was sicker than I had ever been and down for six weeks. On top of that, I received an email from my publisher informing me they were canceling my contract for the third and final book in the Misty Dawn series.

Ouch!

Coronavirus sucks. Social distancing makes me cranky. And an unfinished series was driving me from my death bed back to my computer—if for no other reason than because my characters were haunting me, and wouldn’t let me die in peace.

But how was I going to publish the last book in the Misty Dawn trilogy by myself? I felt as though I was facing an uphill battle against odds I had no idea about or even counted. First off, let me say that I adored my publisher, and I will be forever thankful they plucked me from a pile of unpublished authors and gave me a platform from which to launch both The Carol Childs and Misty Dawn Mysteries. I hold no ill feelings. After a career in broadcasting, I had worked for enough radio stations in my life to know things happen. And when they do, just like the song says, it’s best to—Pick Yourself Up...and start all over again.

And so I did. I can’t say it was easy. Having a publisher gives a writer a certain sense of worth, and to suddenly find myself sans publisher did play mind games with me. But I pushed through. Fortunately, I had enough positive reviews like one from Steve Steinbeck with Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, who said he found my work “charmingly entertaining,” and wondered if I was channeling the creator of the Topper TV series.

I was channeling something that’s for sure because the series felt like it was writing itself, which was one of the reasons I felt compelled to complete it.

Often, there’s a sense of relief when a writer comes to the end of a book and can write those two sweet little words; The End. Usually, by this time, the writer has developed both a love/hate relationship with their work and their characters, and while they’ve become old friends, it's time to say goodbye.

I had completed the series. I had made a commitment to my characters and my readers, made a lot of new friends, and grown as a writer. As I said, it’s been a tough year, and there were times when I was blurry-eyed from the virus, and in doubt about what I was doing. But I did it, and I think it’s some of my best work.

As for what’s next? If it’s one thing I’ve learned, writers write. I’m already at work on a new manuscript. The story’s picked me, and soon I’ll be on the search for an agent and a publisher. I hope you’ll follow.

How about you? What hurdles have you overcome that required your full commitment?


THE HOUSE OF THE SETTING SUN: When Misty Dawn, the former “Hollywood Psychic to the Stars,” receives a phone call in the middle of the night, she knows it can’t be good news. Dorine Witherspoon, an actress and former client is in town for the opening of her touring musical and tells Misty the show’s leading lady, Cassie Marx, has disappeared, and the understudy had to go on for her on Opening Night! Misty immediately suspects foul play and when she and Wilson, Misty’s psychic shade, arrive at the theater the next morning, they discover LAPD’s Detective Cesar Romero meeting with the cast and crew. Events on both sides of the veil take a dark turn when Romero asks Misty off the case, and Wilson appears out of his depth with ghosts who want nothing to do with him. Death, close calls, and forces on both sides of the veil threaten to undo Misty and destroy her relationship with Wilson unless she can find Cassie and restore order to the show.

NANCY COLE SILVERMAN spent nearly twenty-five in Los Angeles Talk Radio. She began her career on the talent side as one for the first female voices on the air, and later on the business side, where she retired as one of two female general managers in the nation’s second-largest radio market. Leaving her successful radio career behind in 2010, Nancy began to write fiction, and her crime-focused novels and short stories have attracted readers throughout America. Her Carol Childs Mysteries series (Henery Press) feature a single-mom whose "day job" as a reporter at a busy Los Angeles radio station often leads to long nights as a crime-solver. Her most recent series features Misty Dawn, an aging Hollywood Psychic to the Stars, who supplements her day to day activities as a consultant to LAPD and the FBI. Nancy lives in Los Angeles with her husband and a thoroughly pampered standard poodle

“Silverman’s storytelling in charmingly entertaining.” - Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine

27 comments:

  1. Congratulations on your new book, Nancy. It sounds as if Misty’s gotten herself involved in quite a mystery. All of us Misty Dawn fans are looking forward to reading the story . . . .
    It’s good to know that you’ve beaten the virus [a genuinely positive note in this truly rotten year] . . . .

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    1. Thank you, it’s good to have this behind me, and I’m excited about what lies ahead. Misty was a gift to write. I’ll miss her, but I take so much of what I learned with me.

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  2. Nancy, I'm so glad you've recovered AND that you've been able to wrap up your series. I have the same feelings toward our publisher as you. Hugs, my friend!

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  3. Congratulations on completing the Misty Dawn series against all odds and on recovering from the virus! That's a heck of a souvenir to bring back from Egypt. As with you and Annette, I too am grateful to our publisher for all that they did. I'm looking forward to more new Nancy Cole Silverman books.

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    1. Thanks so much, Kait. I've never been one to look back and I'm convinced experience is a good coach for the future. I think Malcolm Gladwell said it best, it takes 10,000 hours to perfect a skill...whether this is true or not, it certainly doesn't hurt. Write on!

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  4. Go Nancy! You are amazing, and an inspiration! Standing ovation. xxx

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    1. Thanks, Hank. I always look to you and think how amazing you are, and what a role model! You're an inspiration.

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  5. Congratulations and standard poodle kisses from Jazz and Louie!

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    1. Right back at you with those standard poodle kisses. Ali keeps me constant company. How lucky is that?

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  6. Welcome back Nancy and congrats on powering through a terrible time. I've lost contracts 3 times over the course of my career, which taught me that surviving writers write, and the bottom line for publishers is always money. so glad you're feeling better!

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    1. Thank you, Lucy, and I agree; writers write. And I'll add a note of optimism; one door closed is another door to open.

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  7. Nancy, good for you for maintaining such a positive outlook. Not everyone would!

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    1. Thanks, Liz. I have such belief in the series, I couldn't not finish it. It had to be done, and now that it is, I'm clear to go onto something new. A new genre and new venture.

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  8. Good for you, Nancy! Your books have an audience, and there are many ways to find new readers these days. You've already beaten Covid-19. You can lick this publisher problem with one hand tied behind your back. You have all my best wishes for continued success.

    SONG OF THE WEEK: This year, and this week, have been hard on all of us. Sometimes we have to make a conscious effort to step back out of the fray, take a deep breath, and let it all go. In that spirit, I offer my Song of the Week. This is "Sheltering Sky," by contemporary American composer John Mackey. Enjoy! https://youtu.be/YdvWLo9x3e0

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    1. Thanks so much, and what a lovely piece of music to share.

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    2. Thank you, Gigi, that was absolutely lovely. I literally took a deep breath as I listened. Just beautiful.

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    3. Nancy, I'm glad you liked the music. A few weeks back Deb asked me to contribute a Song of the Week, so I do.

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  9. Nancy, welcome to Jungle Reds!

    I'm so glad that you recovered from your COVID virus and good for you for maintaining a positive outlook and Not giving up! I have one of your books. It was a challenge to find and luckily I was able to order it online from an independent bookstore. I hope that you find another publisher.

    The pandemic has been challenging for us all in different ways. We just got lovely letters from our doctor about maintaining my health (both mental and physical) during the pandemic.

    What big hurdle have I had to overcome that required my full commitment? I would have to say that the biggest hurdles were several. First, learning how to walk again and everything after I recovered from meningitis. After seven weeks in Children's Hospital, I came home with a profound hearing loss. Luckily, my hearing loss was tested within a few months, which was unusual. Many of the Deaf kids in my classes, if they were NOT born to Deaf families, did not have their hearing losses diagnosed until after the window of language closed when they were Five years old. Some had their hearing loss diagnosed at age 3. My hearing loss was diagnosed before I was 2! It took my full commitment to learn how to walk again. Lots of rigorous exercises! The hearing loss affected my balance significantly.

    Another big hurdle was learning how to hear again after my Cochlear Implant surgery. I had the responsibility of finding a Voice teacher in addition to an Auditory trainer. After interviewing several SLP, I found an Excellent teacher who is one of my Biggest Boosters. We worked on learning how to listen for different syllables. I heard a lecture by Heather Whitestone who talked about listening to books on tape. It took me a full commitment to take the time to listen to an unabridged book on tape and read along! My Voice teacher would go with me to my appointments with my Cochlear Implant team.

    Now unfortunately my "improved" Speech Processors broke after all that hype about how wonderful they are. They lasted less than 4 years. I am glad that I kept my old Speech Processors that I can still use.

    Diana

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  10. You are an inspiration. Thank you for sharing this. I can imagine reading has given you a great sense of peace and direction. It’s a gift to us all.

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  11. Nancy, I am so glad that you've recovered. Congratulations on finishing your book with such obstacles--you are truly an inspiration. Your series covers, by the way, are wonderful! I'm looking forward to the new Misty Dawn and I can't wait to find out more about your next adventure!

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    1. I love the covers as well, and I was pleased to find an artist would could match the third cover with the series. As for what's next, I'm enjoying a new genre, and fingers crossed, will have something out next year. Stay tuned.

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  12. Congrats on getting book three into the world. I'm glad you pushed through what has been a rough year.

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    1. Thanks, Mark. Hope you're staying well and in the comfort of good reads. We all need them.

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  13. This post speaks to me on so many levels, Nancy. Cruising up on writing "The End" this weekend. Congrats on your book release!

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    1. It's always exciting to feel the end approaching. Best of luck with your work. Write on!

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