Author Interview ~ Nicole Seitz, Part I

Nicole Seitz is a South Carolina Lowcountry native and freelance writer/illustrator published in South Carolina Magazine, Charleston Magazine, House Calls, The Island Packet, and The Bluffton Packet. A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s School of Journalism, she also has a bachelor’s degree in illustration from Savannah College of Arts & Design. Seitz is an exhibiting artist in the Charleston, South Carolina, area where she owns a web design firm and lives with her husband and two small children

What book or project is coming out or has come out that you’d like to tell us about?

The Spirit of Sweetgrass

Tell us about your journey to publication. How long had you been writing before you got the call you had a contract, how you heard and what went through your head.

I have a background in journalism and non-fiction writing, but had never attempted fiction until I was expecting my daughter in 2003 when I penned a middle grade novel which is still unpublished. My next work of fiction was The Spirit of Sweetgrass which I began in October 2004 and completed just 5 months later. I contracted with an agent then in March 2005 and the book sold to Integrity Publishers in February 2006, just 11 months later.

My “call” was actually an email from my agent. He was heading into a meeting but wanted me to know he’d received an offer for two books. Not one but TWO! I remember my two young children were with me, but they weren’t nearly as excited as I was. I tried to call my husband, my mother, my sister, and finally, my neighbor across the street, but no one was home. It was a strange moment because I wanted desperately to share it with someone in order to make it seem real!

Do you still experience self-doubts regarding your work?

Absolutely. And I hope I never get to the point where I don’t doubt my work. If I do, it will mean I think I know it all (and I’ll be unbearable to be around) or perhaps I’m not taking enough risks in my writing. I want to always push the envelope.

What mistakes have you made while seeking publication?

I’m sure I’ve made some mistakes, but time will tell. They are yet to be seen.

What’s the best advice you’ve heard on writing/publication?

From Pat Conroy, “If you gotta do it, you gotta do it.” I think he means it’s a tough business, but if you’ve been graced with the passion to write, you need to be faithful to that passion and see it through.

What’s the worst piece of writing advice you’ve heard?

“Read everything you can about writing craft.” Focusing too much on craft could take the surprise and magic out of writing and potentially lead to bland, formulaic works.

What’s something you wish you’d known earlier that might have saved you some time/frustration in the publishing business?

I wish I’d known exactly how long it takes to push through the publishing process. I tend to get anxious, wondering what’s happening on my publisher’s end, my agent’s end. If I knew more about the process, I think this first year may not have been so nerve-wracking. The only way to alleviate this anxiety is experience, I’m afraid!

Is there a particularly difficult set back that you’ve gone through in your writing career you are willing to share?

No major setbacks except that my agent stopped being an agent right before my book sold, and my publisher was sold a few months ago to another publisher. I had no idea these things were coming and didn’t know what might happen to a new, unknown author in the shuffle. Thankfully, my book is still on a great track, but for a while there, I was a little nervous. What I’ve learned, though, is that anything can and will happen. To use a couple of old clichés, expect the unexpected and learn to roll with the punches!

What are a few of your favorite books? (Not written by you.)

A few favorites are The Kitchen God’s Wife and The Bonesetter’s Daughter by Amy Tan, Keeper of the House by Rebecca T. Godwin, The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova, and Roseflower Creek by J.L. Miles.

What piece of writing have you done that you’re particularly proud of and why?

I am very pleased with my debut, The Spirit of Sweetgrass, because I was faithful to the voice and story that wanted to come out through me. I truly care about my characters, especially Essie Mae Jenkins, and I think that care shows in my work. I have also completed my second novel which has a very different tone to it, yet still takes the reader into the magical world of the Gullah/Geechee culture. I am excited about that book as well and look forward to the editing process to make it the best it can be!

Do you have a pet peeve having to do with this biz?

I think I’m too new at this business to have a pet peeve. I’m just grateful to be here!

Can you give us a view into a typical day of your writing life?

I have no discipline at writing whatsoever, meaning no set times, no set number of words per day. I have two small children, and I run a web design business from home, so I truly have to write whenever the ideas strike me. Often, it’s in the shower, driving down the road, or lying in bed. I write in my head all the time and at my keyboard simply whenever I can.

If you could choose to have one strength of another writer, what would it be and from whom?

To be continued tomorrow ...