What an exciting day for me! The super-talented author
of children’s books and adult novels,
Sandi Underwood, is my guest.
NKA: Welcome, Sandi. You have exciting news—a new
book. Congratulations! Tell us about it.
SU: Thank you, Nancy. It’s
good to be a published writer again – especially after the past two years we’ve
had! The writing industry, like everything else, was hit hard during the
Pandemic, but my new book fits right in there as ‘stranger than strange.’
I received an email from a publisher on New Year’s Day
2020 offering a contract. Now here’s where the strange part comes in: I had
only submitted a cover letter and the first three chapters of ON A SCALE OF ONE
TO TEN, a coming-of-age story with sinister undertones. The editor provided a
phone number and asked me to call at my convenience. Lucky me, it was
convenient that very next day, and when I asked if she was sure she wanted my
book (I don’t recommend that question to a would-be publisher under normal
circumstances!), she gave an emphatic, “yes!”
Never one to be outdone, I argued that I had only
submitted the first three chapters. She informed me it was exactly what she was
looking for. To sum up, I wound up sending the remainder of the story, along
with a signed contract. I doubt that will ever happen again; but if it were to,
I will never argue with a Publisher over whether they made a mistake in
offering a contract—especially in this topsy-turvy world of publishing that we
have come to know.
NKA: This book is a story that touches our emotions on
a deep level and is a story that needs to be told, and what a cover. It's beautiful. What gave you the idea for
the characters and plot?
SU: I would be less than
truthful if I said I had a clear-cut answer to that question. I started out
writing a story based on an actual situation, but the final product took wings
and veered slightly off-course. ON A SCALE OF ONE TO TEN is about the painful period
of time known as adolescence—a time when insecurities and peer pressure rule
the day. Drawing on my own experience as a ‘PK’ (Preacher’s Kid), I identified
with my main character in thinking others were born with that proverbial
‘silver spoon’ in their mouths, while I had less…friends, opportunities…stuff.
Of course, looking back I realize what a perfect childhood I had and, to be
honest, I never missed out on much. In the book’s dedication, I acknowledge my
loving home and parents for raising me in a safe environment. Not all children
have that. Certainly not one character in my book!
NKA: You have other books, too. What are their titles
and for what age groups are they written?
SU: I love all genres. I
love to read them, and I love to write them. My first book was a children’s
book, a Sci-fi Mystery of sorts about ‘shapeshifters’, of all things. THE
SECRET AT ONE BELMONT LANE, was written for my second grandson. He was of the
age that enjoyed all things weird and bizarre, and I wanted to write a book he
would read.
Next book to be published was the first in The Baker
Manor Series, BLOOD MONEY. It’s a paranormal romance-mystery that tells the
story of a kindergarten teacher that led a happy life until she became an
heiress of a vast fortune. After that, unexplained accidents and broken trusts
turned her happy life upside down until that fatal night when she stared evil
in the face. The Baker Series continues with books #2 and #3, unpublished as of
yet.
My third book MOUNTAIN LAUREL, is the story of my parents’
first date, and the setting is pure Appalachia. I drew on family tales that
were passed down from both Mom and Dad with the hopes of preserving them for my
grandchildren. I enjoy reading this book over and over as it conjures up
memories of hearing them for the first time.
NKA: You’ve been a busy gal. Any new books on the
horizon?
SU: Book #2 of The Baker
Manor Series is finished, and I’m smack-dab in the middle of the final one. I
say that, but I’ve grown so familiar with the Baker family, I can’t bear to say
goodbye to them. Who knows where that story will really end??? I also
have a book, ON THE BANKS OF THE NOLICHUCKY, a fictional story about the young
Davy Crockett that is under contract, but no publication date has been
announced. And finally, I am playing with the idea of combining two unfinished
manuscripts into one. That remains to be seen or, in this case, written.
NKA: I love your books. You use a wide variety of
writing techniques in creating interesting characters and plots that amp up the
tension in your stories and snag readers’ attention. Would you share a couple
of writing tips with us?
SU: In a nutshell, when a
new storyline pops into my head, I begin with my main character (MC) by asking
myself: Who,
What, Where, When & Why?
My MC needs someone to feed off. A love interest? A
BFF? A stalker? Honestly, my mind goes immediately to the stalker because I
like edge-of-seat mysteries. Once decided, I have two individuals that allow me
to begin character sketches—one or two descriptive words to get started, but by
the time I’m well into the story and added several more characters, these can
turn into lengthy bios.At this point, I carve out a rustic outline–sometimes
just a beginning, a middle (a thought or two that will move the story forward),
and an ending (not everything all tied up with a bow at this point, just
whether the MC lives happily ever after…or not.
All this before I write the first paragraph, which is
without a doubt the most re-written paragraph in the entire story. But that’s a
whole separate blog post!
I truly think the reason I love writing adult fiction
is due to something you once said: Chase your main characters up a tree and
throw rocks at them. (I believe you were quoting someone else, so I acknowledge
the fact you and I both are plagiarizing!) I get the most joy writing what I
enjoy reading and when life becomes predictable and humdrum for my characters,
it’s time to shake it up a bit. Plotting is a fun pasttime for me. I tend to
create two or three different paths for each character and hang onto the one
that interests me most. At that point, I become the reader. If I listed
one bit of advice to a new writer it would be: Write what you enjoy reading. NKA: Great advice. Keeping readers on the edge of
their seats is what holds their attention from the first page through the last.
I’m sure people would like to know where can we find your books?
NKA: Thanks, Sandi, for telling us about your books
and giving us valuable writing tips by sharing your writing process. ON A SCALE
OF ONE TO TEN is one of the best middle-grade books I’ve read, so I highly
recommend it. I hope you visit again.
SU: Definitely!
Nancy Kelly Allen has written 50 children’s
books and a cookbook, SPIRIT OF KENTUCKY. Check out her website at www.nancykellyallen.com
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