Past Recall was published as an indie book before it was cool to publish an indie book, and has always been an inspiring and fascinating book for me to read. I met Nita through my writer’s group back in Carrollton, Georgia, and the most exciting thing I remember from that meeting was Nita’s deep love and dedication to her theme and subject of the Cathars, a small but powerful movement throughout southern Europe; people who were considered heretics by the Catholic Church. The Cathars were the victims of the only Crusade into Europe, with thousands of people killed and tortured as a result, culminating in the final destruction of the sect.
When Nita was ready to publish her book, I had the privilege of writing a short blurb for the back cover. I wrote: “A haunting blend of metaphysics and historical romance at its best. Past Recall is filled with rich characterization and a great sense of style.” Still rings true for me today!
Nita is a wonderful writer, with a special gift for bringing her characters and settings to life. Her high-tension storytelling combined with spirituality and historical information is particularly impressive. I thoroughly enjoyed Past Recall when it was published, and I enjoy it to this day. A sequel, The Cathar Legacy, is equally compelling, and it shares keeper shelf-space right next to PR.
A few years ago I asked Nita some questions for my blog just before she was about to leave for France to teach a writing workshop in Cathar country:
Q. When did you first decide to become a writer?
A. I always loved to write since age 4, holding a pencil. And to speak-- communicating, stirring passions and prompting thought via words seemed miraculous.
Q. How did you become interested in the Cathars?
A. Cathar interest hit me out of the blue, literally, as I sat in the corner on a stool in a Melbourne bookstore, perusing books to buy. A book fell above me, landing in my lap, and opened to Cathars. Never heard of them and from that moment felt duty bound to bring them back to life.
Q. Do you have a writing schedule and if so, what is it?
A. 3 hours-between breakfast and lunch.
Q. What is your favorite book?
A. Many, but loved Anna Karenina by Tolstoy, and Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Love in the Time of Cholera (heavy on passions and magic realism).
Q. Any writing advice to share?
A. Write from your passion(s) –whether fiction or non-fiction.
Nita’s advice is invaluable. Are you writing from your passion?
Altogether Nita has published three books, with Safe Haven, a romantic thriller set in the Philippines, being her most recent. To learn more about Nita and her books, please visit NitaHughes.com. See you tomorrow!
3 comments:
Great post!
Please visit my blog, http://www.thatgirlybookworm.blogspot.ca
My theme focuses on YA books and the title of the book begins with the letter of the day!
OK, I have to add this to my list of books to read. Cool plot. Untethered Realms
Thanks for the comments--the worst thing about the A-Z Challenge is I run out of time to reply to everyone in a timely fashion! Appreciate you stopping by, and yes, try to read Past Recall when you get a chance. I'll be visiting your sites, too, ASAP-- Cheers!
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