Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Nanette. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Nanette, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. One of the toughest things about progressing in a creative career or as an entrepreneur is that there are almost always unexpected problems that come up – problems that you often can’t read about in advance, can’t prepare for, etc. Have you had such and experience and if so, can you tell us the story of one of those unexpected problems you’ve encountered?
I retired with plans to go deep into my writing, creating, publishing, and expanding literacy opportunities for my reading community and new schools. I moved from NJ to NC, and of course, it meant promotions to a new audience and venues. I was told you may not want to move, and that your plans to retire to a new avenue will be altered. You have Stage 4 Cancer.
After all the arrangements, visions, dreams, and possibilities, I was instantly deflated. Eventually, the realization coupled with fears set in. In quiet times and prayer, I thought about everything I had … and the loss of it all. It rattled my spirit, my emotions, my mind, and physically, what would remain?
I prayed, and the spirit that had often moved me over the years to find comfort in writing… simply said, “Write about it.” The madness I was going through, thinking I’d lose it all to Cancer, how could I redirect my being, and the question, could I be stable again? I wrote the book…. Managing Your Madness… A life of deliberate redirection. and the sequel Surviving during my recovery. My signature speech is now… The Four Legs of Life.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I have been writing since my college years and have been published since 2007. I started writing for myself. Inspirational words, poetry, and children’s books. I write what I call “reality fiction”… the stories many will whisper and gossip about but wouldn’t want to be the characters, or have to deal with the issues on the pages.
I think writing is often an escape from the realities we see or live through daily. Whether factual or fictional, imagined or lived, we can all relate. Reading is fundamental, and it opens the door to so many opportunities and revelations. I enjoy sharing information or understanding the possibilities and fantasies of others’ thoughts. Sharing inspiration and motivation ignites my spirit, and I pray it does the same for those who read my works.
Positive thoughts carry us further than we imagine, and I created my business based on just that. “I Pen Visions” has become my signature, as it is in those words that my reason for writing lies.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
My Cancer journey follows how I’ve been most of my life. I don’t like defeat, I don’t give in. With that said, I’ve been direct, informed, and positive about my treatment and my continuing to stay connected to my writing and community relationships.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
I would love to show the younger generation that their thoughts, ideas, and stories will always matter on so many levels. However, with technology and the thought of books, the concept of writing is becoming “old”. Imagination will never die; creating words and descriptions and adding the flair of putting them together is imperative to the “art” of writing. Literacy is a part of our lives… in written expression, all art forms, performances, communication… and teaching it to our youth is essential.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.nanettembuchanan.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nanette.buchanan/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IPenBooksNanetteBuchanan/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nanette-buchanan-2a0a2513/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdEm4VczS3N_somrl97OOng
