Meet Sarah Nachin, one busy Hernando Sun features writer and author of several published books.
Sarah is a freelance writer and writes articles for our newspaper, the Hernando Sun. She also writes for a weekly newspaper in upstate New York and various magazines.
But her real passion in life is writing books and traveling. Her latest book is “The Odyssey of Clyde the Camel,” that she describes as a humorous travelogue as well as including a few fantasy elements.
“It’s based on a trip I took to Europe in 2014,” said Sarah, “and it’s told through the eyes of a stuffed camel that I acquired along the way.”
Sarah added that about 90 percent in the book is true but added a little “poetic license” about Clyde who is naïve in the ways of the world but gains deep insights into human nature while accompanying a group of travelers.
The book conveys Nachin’s philosophy that one should try and find the humor in every challenging situation and she hopes that people of all ages will find Clyde’s story entertaining, as well as informative.
Sarah explained she wrote it for people who enjoy traveling and also enjoy a smidgen of humor and that her central message is that we should all maintain a positive attitude when faced with challenging situations and always have a sense of humor.
“Adults and young adults will enjoy the humor and the interesting information about the places that Clyde and his human companions visited,” she said. “And children will definitely enjoy the illustrations and the fantasy elements.”
She also said, “it’s an ideal tool for teachers to instruct their students in geography and history in a fun way.”
Sarah has published two other books — “Ordinary Heroes” in 2001 which is a collection of true stories told to her by U.S. military veterans from the World War II, Korea, Vietnam and Desert Storm eras.
“I wanted to write for a contest on “Chicken Soup for the Veterans Soul,” she said. “So my sister encouraged me to go to my dad’s reunion and speak to some of the Vets there.”
That’s how she started her book “Ordinary Heroes.”
“I wanted my first book to be really special, so I went and talked to various Vets organizations in Spring Hill and Brooksville and talked to so many Veterans that it blossomed into 30 something, amazing real-life stories,” she said. “My story didn’t make it into Chicken Soup for the Soul, but I met so many wonderful people that I’ve started writing a sequel.”
“I also co-authored “The Long Journey” with Felicia McCranie — published in 2012,” she said. “It tells about Felicia growing up in the Philippines and then coming to the United States and facing new challenges in her life.”
We asked her, based on her experience as a writer, what one recommendation would she make to hopeful authors just starting out?
“Don’t procrastinate, like I did for far too long; if you want to write, then just start writing and learn as much as you can about the craft,” said Sarah. “Don’t be satisfied with your first draft — edit and proofread obsessively. Network with other writers and get their opinions and take advantage of their experiences.”
Sarah explained that the most challenging part for her about writing was maintaining momentum and not getting sidetracked with other pursuits.
“Also living up to my own high standards that I have for myself. I’m somewhat of a perfectionist,” she said.
“There are several local writers groups in Hernando County that aspiring writers can tap into. One meets at the library on Spring Hill Drive on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month at 1 p.m. The other is one I started with another writer. We meet every Saturday at 2 p.m.”
Another good resource is Facebook Writers Groups.
“I encourage you to write,” said Sarah. The most rewarding things about being a writer are expressing my feelings and ideas. Seeing an idea that I had in my head come to life as I write it down and develop it into a story.”
Asked what the most important idea she is sharing in her books to add value to the reader’s life, Sarah said, “To keep an open mind about life and enjoy the journey.”
New books that Sarah is working on include a self-help book to be published by the end of the year. Another is an historical novel set in the 1950’s and 1960’s.
“I also have an outline of a science fiction novella and hope to start on a sequel to “Ordinary Heroes” soon.”
In that book, Sarah will be interviewing the younger generation of Veterans, as well as more of the Korea and Vietnam-era Vets.
In any leisure time that is left, Sarah enjoys photography, videography, traveling, going to museums and cultural events, such as plays and concerts.
Sarah’s books are available in E-book and paperback format on Amazon. They’re also available in bookstores. If anyone would like a signed copy of any book, they can order directly from her.
Sarah can be reached at [email protected]; [email protected] or through her Facebook pages: “Sarah J. Nachin, Author”:https://www.facebook.com/Sarah-J-Nachin-Author-273249936028795/ and “The Odyssey of Clyde the Camel”: https://www.facebook.com/writernachin/
