About Nancy Thorne
Nancy Thorne is an award-winning author inspired by the courage of youth. Her recent novel, The Somewhere I See You Again, won First Place for the Chanticleer International Book Award for Young Adult Fiction. Her short stories have appeared in The First Line Literary Journal, The Blake-Jones Review, The South Shore Review, among others.
Nancy is a graduate of the Creative Writing Certificate Program at the University of Toronto. She is a member of The Writers’ Community of Durham Region, The Writers’ Community of York Region, and The Writers’ Union of Canada. Currently residing in Whitby, Nancy lives with her family, including an energetic labrador and entertaining corgi. When not writing or reading, you can find Nancy participating in book fairs and speaking engagements at schools and libraries. Visit her website at nancythorne.com
A Conversation with Nancy Thorne
We sat down with Nancy Thorne to discuss her writing journey, creative process, and what inspires her stories. Get an inside look at her experiences and learn valuable insights from a fellow writer in our community.
Which writers inspire you and why?
I must say that Anton Chekhov has inspired me greatly. If I’m being honest, I’m pretty sure I fell in love with him after reading his personal letters in A Life of Letters. My husband doesn’t seem too concerned. Initially, Chekhov’s short stories and plays came across as simplistic. Filled with insight and empathy, they are anything but. I am also inspired by U.S. author Joan Didion and Canadian author Miriam Toews. Both writers have the ability to look to the past and write fiction in ways that connect readers emotionally, especially when it comes to love – the steepest highs, the shattering lows, and everything in-between. Canadian singer/songwriter/poet Leonard Cohen inspires me with his brilliant dives into allurement, longing, and humanity. French author Annie Ernaux (2022 Nobel Prize winner in Literature) inspires me with her somewhat fictionalized memoirs. As a teen, I admired novels by Truman Capote and plays by Tennessee Williams. Other writers from bygone eras, including Ernest Hemingway, Philip Roth, and Raymond Carver, came into my field of vision in my forties. The same goes for Margaret Laurence. To me, these writers entertain with true-to-life grit.
What is your favourite genre in which to write and why?
I’ve been writing full-time for eleven years. Young adult novels simply felt right – love, courage, youth – set in accurate historical settings thanks to the wonderful world of research. Victorian Town, a supernatural mystery romance (time-travel), is my first novel. My second novel, The Somewhere I See You Again, fits into the genre of adventure romance and takes place in 1971. My new novel also fits into the young adult category. Set in 1965, its genre is suspense with romantic elements. Davy, a sixteen-year-old disabled sideshow performer, is seized by social services from the family of performers who raised him and is forced into a tough secluded institution where surgery awaits. It takes all his mental and physical abilities to escape and attempt his way back home to his family…and to his first love.
Why do you write?
If you asked me in grade school what I wanted to be one day (an often asked question to a kid), I would have stated that I was already a writer. Why did I think that? I have no idea.I loved words from an early age, along with their meanings and unique rhythms when assembled. Growing up, I took note of the many people who said they were going to write a book but never did. It occurred to me that this must be me as well. It wasn’t me at all. The urge to write never left my soul. After raising my two sons, it was time to fulfil my author ambition.I started writing short stories, followed by novels. I completed the Creative Writing Certificate Program at the University of Toronto in 2021 – a long wait to fulfil my literary dream. No regrets.
To learn more about Nancy Thorne, her books, and her writing process, please visit her at her website and on Facebook and Instagram. For a list of her books, please see https://www.nancythorne.com/nancy-thorne-books.