“Every main character in your book must have an emotional wound, something that changed them into the person they are now… Every story must also have a conflict or many conflicts to make the story interesting.”
– Nancy Lynn White
Nancy Lynn White’s literary journey is a testament to the transformative power of storytelling. Raised in the mobile lifestyle of a military family in Washington, D.C. and a career span of 47 years from CIA to The Ohio State University and Wexner Medical Center, Nancy’s experiences have shaped her into the masterful storyteller she is today. Her award-winning romance novel, “Guilty of Stealing His Heart,” is just one example of her ability to craft rich and compelling narratives.
Nancy’s academic pursuits led her to Capital University in Columbus, Ohio, where she graduated with a B.A. in English/Professional Writing. This educational foundation not only honed her linguistic abilities but also instilled in her the art of crafting narratives that resonate with readers on a profound level.
A self-employed freelance writer in her 70s, Nancy has become a masterful wordsmith who weave tales that transport readers to different worlds and eras. Her nomadic upbringing and professional background add a layer of authenticity to her narratives, as she draws on her myriad experiences to breathe life into her characters.
In addition to her novelistic achievements, Nancy has made significant contributions to the world of creative non-fiction. Her short stories, including “The Boss from Hell” in Work Literary Magazine (November 2014), “You’re Safer in a Plane Than a Car” in Shatter the Looking Glass Literary Magazine (January 2015), and “Sippin’ Bourbon Dressing” in Good Ole Days Magazine (December 2016), showcase her versatility and ability to capture the nuances of real-life experiences.
However, it’s Nancy’s romance novel, “Guilty of Stealing His Heart,” that stands as a testament to her storytelling prowess. Released in June 2023, this novel has not only won the hearts of readers but also emerged a recipient of several awards including the BREW Fiction Book Excellence Award, gaining not only one but three category titles – 2023 Christian Fiction of the Year, American Historical Romance of the Year, and the coveted Book of the Year. The novel explores themes of love, betrayal, and the pursuit of dreams against the backdrop of the American West and showcases Nancy’s ability to seamlessly blend genres and create narratives that linger in the hearts of readers.
Beyond her literary accomplishments, Nancy is a proud mother and grandmother. Her family, including her beautiful daughter and two cherished grandchildren, adds an extra layer of inspiration to her writing. It is this love and connection that infuse her novels with a genuine warmth and authenticity.
Nancy Lynn White is a paragon of creativity, resilience, and the enduring power of storytelling. Her journey from the nomadic life of a military family to the pages of critically acclaimed novels speaks of the transformative nature of the written word. Read further and know more about Nancy.
TWB: What inspired you to get into the world of fiction writing, and how did you find your unique voice as an author?
NLW: I was a late bloomer as they say. I began college at thirty-eight years of age. One of my requirements was a religious class which was mandatory for that particular college. As an assignment, we were to write at least a fifteen-page report on the impact of religion on ourselves. I panicked. I’d never written anything in my life. I went straight home and stared at a blank computer screen. I simply couldn’t attack the project as a whole so I broke it down into sections. Like in an essay format—one paragraph at a time. I deleted much of it but forced myself to look inward at my feelings toward religion. We had three weeks to work on it. And when I received my grade, I was shocked. I got a B. Where did that grade come from? The writing spark had been lit.
TWB: Your book received the prestigious BREW Fiction Book Excellence Award Book of the Year along with two (2) other category titles. How did you feel when you learned about this recognition, and how has it impacted your writing career?
NLW: Shock. Pure shock. Wow! I couldn’t believe it. I reread the announcement email over and over again. This was my first novel and I kept waiting for the retraction. No one does this with their first book. Unheard of. The next day I downloaded all the attachments the BREW Fiction Book Contest sent me and the joy began to sink in. This verifies I can write. No more imposter syndrome for me.
“Shock. Pure shock. Wow! I couldn’t believe it… This verifies I can write. No more imposter syndrome for me.”
– Nancy Lynn White
TWB: Guilty of Stealing His Heart explores themes of love, betrayal, and the pursuit of dreams. Can you share the personal experiences or influences that shaped these themes in your storytelling?
NLW: Without going into the gritty details of my past, suffice it to say I used my past experiences to create and develop a character arc for Carrie Wagner. We’ve all been disappointed, betrayed, lied to, and maybe accused of someone else’s illegal activity at some point in our lives. You need a solid backbone, determination, and an unbreakable dream to recover from such blows in your lives. It took that and years of therapy for me to find myself again. My dream since college was to become a writer. I have arrived.
TWB: The characters in your novel, particularly Carrie and JT, are vividly portrayed. How do you develop and breathe life into your characters, making them relatable to readers?
NLW: Writing about Carrie’s character was a catharsis for me. I took all the negative events that had happened to me and put them in the book and gave Carrie the impetus to answer the call. Use her skills and love to conquer all. As I had done. And, JT, well, he’s my dream man. Let’s hope I meet him someday.
TWB: The novel seamlessly blends historical, mystery, romance, and inspirational genres. What challenges did you face in weaving these elements together, and how do you maintain a balance between genres?
NLW: I don’t know how to explain it. I’d finish one chapter and would say to myself, ‘Well, time to find out what’s going on with those other characters’. The readers are going to want to read about what’s going on about them.’ It was a feeling, maybe intuition to end a chapter and bring another section of the story forward.
TWB: The novel seamlessly blends historical, mystery, romance, and inspirational genres. What challenges did you face in weaving these elements together, and how do you maintain a balance between genres?
NLW: I don’t know how to explain it. I’d finish one chapter and would say to myself, ‘Well, time to find out what’s going on with those other characters’. The readers are going to want to read about what’s going on about them.’ It was a feeling, maybe intuition to end a chapter and bring another section of the story forward.
TWB: The setting of your book plays a significant role, transporting readers to the American West. How do you research to ensure historical accuracy, and how important is the setting to the overall narrative?
NLW: I read Edna Ferber’s and Mark Twain’s books to set my brain into the period, but I also researched the Old West in newspaper articles. The setting is important. If your readers don’t connect with your descriptions of the setting, they can’t fully enjoy the story and maybe stop reading the book.
TWB: JT faces a conflict between duty and desire. How do you approach crafting complex relationships and internal conflicts within your characters?
NLW: Every main character in your book must have an emotional wound, something that changed them into the person they are now. But still lacking what they need to achieve their dream. Every story must also have a conflict or many conflicts to make the story interesting. No conflicts—nothing for the main characters to rise and conquer.
TWB: The novel’s pacing keeps readers engaged, but were there specific challenges in maintaining momentum throughout the story? How do you decide when to build tension and when to provide moments of respite?
NLW: I love action stories and action movies. Drama films bore me to death. Perhaps that’s why I included mystery and inspiration in Guilty of Stealing His Heart. They added more action to the story. Every chapter of the book must move the story forward. Brainstorm until something brilliant rises from the ashes. Works for me.
TWB: As an award-winning author, what advice do you have for aspiring writers looking to embark on their literary journeys, especially those aiming for recognition in prestigious awards?
NLW: • Never give up.
• Don’t let negative feedback bring you down. It’s only one person’s opinion.
• Learn something new all the time. Enroll in classes that will expand your knowledge of your writing skills.
• Find a critique group.
• NEVER GIVE UP. ⭐
“Never give up… Don’t let negative feedback bring you down… Learn something new all the time… Find a critique group… NEVER GIVE UP.”
– Nancy Lynn White
Get a copy of “Guilty of Stealing His Heart: Never Say You Love Me” by Nancy Lynn White. Click here.
For those eager to go deeper into the world of Nancy Lynn White, her website, https://nancylwhite.com/, serves as a gateway to knowing more about her works, gaining insights into her writing process, and connecting with the author behind the stories.
You may also catch Nancy and her book through the February 2024 print edition of The World’s Best Magazine. Get your copy here.
To nominate or for more details about the BREW Fiction Book Excellence Award, click here.
Join the conversation by answering these questions in the comments below:
How do you perceive the role of emotional wounds and conflicts in shaping the characters and narratives of your favorite books?
How does Nancy’s experience resonate with your own creative endeavors?
Aspiring writers, what strategies or advice from Nancy Lynn White’s interview do you find most inspiring or helpful as you embark on your own literary journeys?
Share your thoughts, experiences, and reflections—we can’t wait to hear from you!
The World's Best 
What an encouraging interview! The late bloomers, as the author calls them, are super inspiring. And her non fiction pieces sound super interesting, too!
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I’m glad you found the interview encouraging! And, late bloomers indeed have their own unique journeys that can be incredibly inspiring.
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