Daily Inspiration: Meet Nancy Houser-Bluhm

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nancy Houser-Bluhm. 

Hi Nancy, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I have always enjoyed writing, even winning a state essay award in 8th grade and traveling to a presidential inauguration. I published a journal, named Minderings which contained my words and my husband’s artwork. I have had numerous articles published in a local newspaper, The Mountain Connection. Before retiring, my career as a Speech-Language Pathologist involved extensive report writing as part of Special Education. Once retired I vowed to write creatively, beginning with a blog, also named Minderings…a place for the wanderings of your mind. While that venture was underway, I entered a writer’s group run by Sage Adderley with a goal to write the first draft of my novel in 90 days. I was on the extended-time track but completed the first draft in 120 days. Then the work of revising, editing, proofreading, etc. began. I published my book, Whispers for Terra on Earth Day, 2021.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Smooth road? No, oh no, definitely not. I started the novel writing and self-publishing process from ground zero. I never planned to write a novel. Didn’t think I had it in me. Luckily, I had my husband and friends who believed in me. These people held my hand, answered my bazillion questions, calmed my insecurities, and guided me through my fears. The road to self-publishing required so many steps beyond my knowledge base… beta readers, website, editing, formatting, cover/back/spine design, ISBN codes, and that’s probably the short list. Once publishing was becoming a reality, many fears reared up pertaining to abundance, value of my words, putting myself in the public eye, limiting beliefs, etc. Both friends and writer’s groups provide invaluable support during these times.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I worked full time as a Speech-Language Pathologist for nearly 40 years. Most people have limited understanding of the work an SLP does. It is a career that spans many domains and at its crux, it is about helping others communicate to the best of their ability. This ability involves processing communication and expressing what they want to communicate. There’s also the aspect of voice rehabilitation and dysphagia, aka swallowing disorders, that no one hears about until they are needed. I worked 20 years in health care and another 20 in the school systems. As a Speech-Language Pathologist, I feel proud that I worked with people of all ages and impacted so many people allowing them to find their voice.

As an author, I am thrilled to have authored my debut novel. I have met so many who want to write a book but because the task feels incredibly daunting, they don’t. It felt like a marathon, so I am proud to have authored a magical realism novel that is fun to read, quick-paced, contains a strong element of the life in our forests, and provides an introduction to the condition of the earth’s soil.

It took years for me to believe people but as a person, I am thought to be grounded, a thinker, a nature lover, a good listener, an excellent communicator, fun-loving, and always willing to offer my opinion. (LOL)

Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
There are many wonderful writing coaches, writing process mentors, and groups related to the process of both writing, and book production. I am in 4-5 groups related to these on Facebook. There are local in-person groups, as well as online, virtual groups. I have found many of the coaches and groups offer short but free introductory programs which allow you to get to know that person as a mentor, their work and coaching style, along with some of their philosophy. It helps vet the person most suited to working with you.

What has worked for me is to allow myself be supported by others, ask for help, go with my gut and heart (not believe everything my brain tells me), and believe in the value of my words, and believe in the value of using my voice.

Pricing:

• 12.99/per print book
• 2.99/ Ebook

Contact Info:

• Email: n.houserbluhm@gmail.com
• Website: nancyhouserbluhm.com
• Instagram: jnbpine

Image Credits
Claudia Edwards
Mo Dedrick
Cheryl Miller