Tell us about your new novel Finding Fran

NC: Finding Fran is the story of Fran Carter who, at age fifty-five, appears to have it all: a successful career as a romance novelist and a handsome lover with whom she shares her life. But the reality is that her significant other is cheating on her, her book sales are sliding, and writer’s block is keeping her from meeting her deadline. Knowing she must write a new story, both for her readers and for herself, Fran escapes to a northern California bed-and-breakfast where she learns something new about herself and creates her own version of “happily ever after”—all with the help of old and new friends.

On your last visit, you were preparing for the release of Reinventing Rita, your sixth book and debut novel, the first in your Midlife Moxie Novel Series. Now you’re getting ready to bring us Finding Fran, the second in the series.

NC: Oddly enough, while Reinventing Rita was the first novel I had published, it wasn’t the first novel that I wrote! And it didn’t start out as a novel, but rather as a short story—or what I intended to be a short story. Back in January 2010, I was frustrated with myself because I had let my short story writing go. I had been focused on doing my copywriting work, which was and is how I pay my bills. Having barely managed to survive the 2008 recession, economically speaking, I had devoted all my energies into finding new clients and earning money to fill the hole that the recession had put in my budget.

But I knew that fiction writing was important to me, so I made a New Year’s resolution to devote just thirty minutes a day to writing short stories, figuring taking that little bit of time away from soliciting work wouldn’t send me to the poor house. The first twelve days were a series of false starts and half-completed drafts, and then on the thirteenth, I started the draft of Finding Fran.

By the time I had hit 8,000 words and was nowhere near the end, I realized that this wasn’t a short story but could possibly be a novel—something I, a confirmed short story writer, swore I’d never write. But by then I was too interested in the story to let it go, so I figured it couldn’t hurt to continue, still keeping to my thirty minutes a day routine. By March 13, 2010, I had reached the end and was amazed to see I had written more than 65,000 words!

Over the intervening years, I would work on it, but at the same time I also published several books: my short story collections and two books for writers. By 2022, I had formulated the idea of my Midlife Moxie Novel Series and had completed Reinventing Rita, so that one came first while I finished the edits to Finding Fran.

Why focus on women at midlife for your novels?

In Writing A Woman’s Life, author Carolyn G. Heilbrun explained it perfectly: “We must recognize what the past suggests: women are well beyond youth when they begin, often unconsciously, to create another story.” And that’s so true. Midlife women (those in their fifties and older) often reinvent themselves, either by choice or necessity. And through that process, they learn that opportunities do exist as long as they open themselves up to them.

Midlife isn’t the end but the beginning of a new life and the pursuit of new dreams. It’s when we widen our belief in who we are and who we can be. Often, we stop listening to others and start listening to ourselves—those voices in our head and heart that say, “You can do this. You got this. And no, you’re not too old to try.”

I consider myself a poster child for midlife reinvention. My first short story was published when I was 40, my first book when I turned 50, my first short story collection at age 60, and my first novel at 69. And I started my copywriting business at age 41 when I found myself without a job but with writing skills honed from years working as a freelance writer for magazines and newspapers.

What other challenges have you undertaken?

When COVID hit in 2020, I was just getting ready to release my second short story collection, Peripheral Visions and Other Stories. But the pandemic meant that the in-person marketing plans I planned had to be shelved. I decided to start a podcast, Living the Writing Life, knowing that other authors were also struggling to promote their new releases, and it turned out to be a fabulous experience. I love interviewing people, and this was a wonderful way to have conversations with other writers about their work and their lives.

Of course, there was a major learning curve, since I had no idea how to do it! But I got a lot of help and advice from Casey Bell, who was my first guest and a terrific podcaster in his own right. This just proves how supportive the writing community is and how we all need to help each other along this path.

What’s next for you?

Well, this past December I released my third short story collection, Mistletoe Magic and Other Holiday Tales, which will be followed by The Language of Love and Other Stories in 2025. Also in 2025, I’ll be releasing the third novel in the series, Moving Maggie. I’m also planning my promotional schedule for Finding Fran, which includes not only appearances in Ohio where I live, but also in the North Carolina area.

It’s an exciting time for me, and I’m loving every minute of it! And I want to share all my news and events with everyone, as well as special deals and promos. So, if any of your followers are interested, all they have to do is sign up for my newsletter, Nancy’s Book News, at my website when they see the pop-up!

Connect with Nancy on her website | Medium | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter (X) | Pinterest | Instagram | Linkedin | Tiktok | Threads

Blogs and Podcast: Living the Writing Life podcast | Focus on Fiction | The Writer’s Place | Make A Change | One on One

YouTube: Midlife Moxie | Books by Nancy Christie

About Finding Fran

Once a best-selling romance novelist, 55-year-old Fran Carter is now dealing with a slow but steady drop in book sales and a major case of writer’s block, complicated by the knowledge that her lover, a professional photographer, has been on the wrong side of the camera (so to speak) with his models. (So much for her author brand, built on the premise that women in their fifties and beyond can still find love and happiness.)

Her solution? A week at a northern California bed-and-breakfast, where she hopes to resolve her professional and personal situations—once she decides which “story” is the right story for herself!

Print ISBN: 979-8350942248 | eBook ISBN: 979-8350942255

Cost: Paperback $16.99 | eBook: $4.99 | Purchase here.

About Nancy Christie

Nancy Christie has been making up stories since she learned how to write, and she plans to continue as long as her fingers can work the keyboard. She can often be found walking the streets of her neighborhood, reciting lines of dialogue or recording plot ideas on her cell phone before they escape her mind.

Reinventing Rita (the first in her Midlife Moxie novel series) is Nancy’s sixth book. Her other books include The Gifts of Change, Rut-Busting Book for Writers, Rut-Busting Book for Authors, Traveling Left of Center and Other Stories and Peripheral Visions and Other Stories. Mistletoe Magic, her third fiction collection, will be released late 2023. Her books and short stories have won awards and earned contest placements.

Nancy is the creator and host of the Living the Writing Life podcast and founder of the annual “Celebrate Short Fiction” Day. She’s a member of the American Society of Journalists and Authors, Women’s Fiction Writers Association, and the Florida Writers Association.

Find other books featured by Nancy on this website.