Author Nancy Springer has written more than 50 books, in genres ranging from mythic fantasy to magical realism to mystery. Her most popular novels by far are the Enola Holmes mysteries, featuring Sherlock’s younger sister, the first of which is now a movie on Netflix. Nancy has often said that writing saved her life, and our conversation gets into the nitty gritty of just what that means, as well as her “free-range” childhood, what works in a novel that doesn’t in a short story (and vice versa), writing a novel with no idea where you’re going, and more. (Warning: Nancy’s very open about her history with depression and suicidal ideation in this conversation.)
“I talked with therapists occasionally about the writing. And the way the therapist put it was that I was about ready to stop turning my eyes inward, and start turning my eyes outward, showing more interest in the world around me.”
Nancy Springer
Show links
Nancy’s website
Nancy’s Facebook
Nancy’s Twitter
Darkness Too Visible, the WSJ article that argued YA literature is too dark for teens
Why the Best Kids’ Books are Written in Blood, Sherman Alexie’s rebuttal to the previous piece.
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