Pump Up Your Book Chats with Nibi Soto

Nibi Soto grew up along the Wasatch mountains in the Great Salt Lake valley.  She has been called the quintessential Renaissance woman because of her wide variety of interests experiences and educational background.  She’s has three advanced degrees, has been a journalist, newspaper editor, professional athlete, certified athletic trainer, intercollegiate coach, professional musician, industrial designer, artist, educator, author, professional speaker, wife, mother and grandmother.  To her, life is not a rehearsal; it is the real thing and there’s no time to waste.  She has authored and co-authored several health and nutrition books under the EAT & Be Lean logo since 1986.  Her most resent adventure lies in the writing of a new time travel fantasy series for young adults called Beyond the Map’s Boundary.  Her blog is located at www.beyondthemapsboundary.com and more insider information about Nibi can be found at www.nibisoto.com.

Thank you for this interview, Nibi. Do you remember writing stories as a child or did the writing bug come later?

Thank you, it’s nice to be here. In elementary school, art and writing were my favorite subjects. I continued to pursue both of these subjects through junior high and high school, but had more opportunity to write through the English and Journalism classes I took. After college, I stopped writing fiction for about 30 years. When my grandchildren started coming along and showing an interest in writing I got excited about doing it again for them and here I am.

Do you remember your first published piece?

As a matter-of-fact, I do! My first published piece was a news article in my high school newspaper. I became the Editor-in-chief my senior year and won some writing competitions before graduating. That first article was on the downside of mini-skirts and included a shocking photograph of the view from the bottom of the staircase between classes. That was back when girls were not allowed to wear pants, only dresses.

What do you consider as the most frustrating side of becoming a published author and what has been the most rewarding?

The most frustrating side of becoming a published author was trying to push through the walls that the publishers put up around them for new authors. This economy has made it very difficult for them and for anyone who has a dream of becoming published.

The most rewarding part of being published is knowing that something I enjoyed creating so much can now be shared with other fantasy lovers from all over the world. I absolutely love to check my email and facebook for feedback from my readers. They’ll never know how much their positive reviews affect me and what a lift it gives me for the rest of the day.

Are you married or single and how do you combine the writing life with home life?

I am married and have five children and 16 grandchildren, so far. Balancing my writing and living can be difficult sometimes, because life is very demanding with a family. Grandma’s are in high demand! I’ve gotten in the habit up getting up early in the morning to write while I exercise. Everyone else is asleep and I can write without interruption. I’ve jimmy-rigged a platform that spans the width of my treadmill, providing a shelf where I can set my computer on to work. I’ve arranged a few of the necessities such as a notebook and pen, a hand towel and a big box Kleenex. I walk, write, research and blog for several hours after I do my original 20-minute cardiovascular routine and yes, it’s true…I am a multi-tasking woman just like all the rest of you.

Do you have support?

Oh yes! I have been blessed to have good breadwinners take care of me all of my life. My husband is very supportive financially as well as emotionally. My father lives with us and has always been a source of support and inspiration to me, too. They both are highly creative and keep my mine going constantly! My children and grandchildren are also nestled into that support group. They are my loudest cheerleaders and I have several friends that have been very encouraging and helpful as well.

What do you like to do for fun when you’re not writing?

I enjoy watercolor painting, developing products and playing and composing music. I like doing things with my hands, for instance, I am currently putting a deep, blue finish on my cello. I’ve always wanted a blue cello, so I bought an unfinished one on Ebay a few years ago and have been working on it in my spare time ever since. I need to finish it soon though, because my granddaughter and I are performing a number in church soon.

Where do you like to vacation? Can you tell us briefly about this?

I like to vacation all over the world. My father has always loved to travel and he and Mom dragged us kids all over this big blue planet of ours since I was five years old. My novel reflects a fascination for different cultures and their history because of those travel opportunities that my parents provided. I visited every state in the union at least 4 times each before graduating from high school and have been on every continent since. In fact, we’re planning a trip to Australia and New Zealand this winter. I’ll be forever grateful for that Gypsy nature in my father. I love to travel.

If you could be anywhere in the world for one hour right now, where would that place be and why?

I would be at the bottom of the ocean at the Barrier Reef, scuba diving with my daughters. Under the sea is the last new frontier for me. The fish are incredible. I’ve always told people that if I ever get the chance to be a designer in the creation of other worlds I dibs to design the fish. They are so colorful and weird. They totally fascinate me.

Who is your biggest fan?

My husband and my 81-year-old father would run a very close tie. They have always been excited to share my adventures and experiences throughout my life and make me feel like I can do anything. It’s funny; it doesn’t matter how old you get, your parents still matter and influence your life and a good husband can make all the difference between just existing and really living. I’ve been very blessed to have such goodly parents and be married to such a good man that keeps me very entertained. I hope our children and grandchildren will feel the same about us.

Where’s your favorite place to write at home?

On the treadmill, of course! According to research, there is no doubt that exercise enhances creativity, so I get the best of both worlds at the same time. I can create a healthy, lean body and a fast paced adventure for my readers in a single block of time. I think the faster I walk the more creative my thoughts become.

Do you have any pets?

Not currently, though I do think animals have always played an important roll in my health and happiness throughout my life. My father owns a smart, little Pomeranian dog, and that probably fills my need for a pet at the moment. He’s very bright and definitely a valued member of the family.

Tell us a secret no one else knows.

I honestly don’t think that’s possible? I tell my husband everything! Maybe that’s the secret no one else knows.

What’s on your to do list today?

Today is a rather easy, uneventful day! I’ll get up early to write and exercise, then take a shower, make breakfast, do laundry, put another coat of stain on my cello, mail out some products that were ordered this morning, make lunch, coach my little league softball team, make dinner, catch up on Facebook, Twitter and blog a bit on my website. Finally, I plan to drop down in front of the TV at 9:00 tonight to watch a recording of my favorite show “Larkrise to Candleford” with my hubby and then go to bed to start it all over again tomorrow.

Now I’ve got a couple of fun questions for you. If Tom Hanks, in the movie Cast Away, unearthed a copy of your book, how would that help him find a way off the island?

It would help him retain a greater degree of sanity because he’d spend less time with Wilson! At the same time it would provide a mental escape for the poor guy, adding humor and adventure to his day, relieving the stress of being stranded there alone. With greater mental capacity and a more calm demeanor, he could figure out a way to get off the island much sooner than he did. And last, but not least, perhaps he’d discover a glowing, blue footprint and transport himself to a better place and time in history where he’d be happier.

You have a chance to appear on the hit talent show for authors, American Book Idol, with judges Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson, Kara Dioguardi and the newest addition, Ellen DeGeneres, to determine whether your book will make it to Hollywood and become a big screenplay where you’d make millions of dollars. What would impress them more – your book cover, an excerpt or your author photo – and why?

It would be a toss up between an excerpt and my author photo. An excerpt from the book would impress them because there are so many shifting plots, magical encounters, fun twists and turns and a mysterious bad guy. My author photo seems to peek everyone’s interest, too. It’s unusual to say the least. My desire for personal notoriety is outweighed by my need to create yet another element of fun for my young readers; thus the secret identity.

You just got word that your book has received the 2010 NY Times Bestselling Book Award and you have to attend the ceremony to give an acceptance speech. Anyone who’s anyone will be there and it’s your shot for stardom. What would you say and who would you thank?

I’d say, “Holly cow…what an incredible honor!” Then I’d slap my face a few times and finch myself to make sure I wasn’t dreaming. Then I’d probably cry a little, or maybe a lot before I proceeded to thank my creator, my parents, husband, my family and the five incredible teenagers that make up my art class. Those kids, one of whom is my granddaughter, were willing to stay after class and listen to me read each new chapter as the story unfolded. Their input, excitement and encouragement spurred me on until one day…I was done!

I understand that you are touring with Pump Up Your Book in June via a virtual book tour. Can you tell us all why you chose a virtual book tour to promote your book online?

My target market for Beyond the Map’s Boundary is young people and anyone who harbors a sense of adventure. These people are fantasy and science fiction lovers and they live on the Internet. What better way to reach these readers than through the world they thrive in online? There are millions of readers who are constantly on the hunt for more material to satisfy their appetite for adventure and creativity. A virtual book tour is a wonderful resource for them to access to find all the new and undiscovered treasures they seek.

Thank you for this interview, Nibi. Good luck on your virtual book tour!

Thank you. It’s been my pleasure.