Episode # 431: Nancy Jasin Ensley
https://outofthetrenches.podbean.com/e/episode-431-nancy-jasin-ensley/
Nancy Jasin Ensley is an Author, Legal Nurse, Hospice Specialist, and Teacher whose work reflects a lifetime of service and experience writing to listen, to remember, and to continue creating with purpose. Over the years, she’s written across multiple genres including memoirs, literature and fiction, science fiction, mystery, thriller, action and adventure, and children’s literature. Each story she creates is rooted in family, faith, service, and lived experience, and her goal is to explore what it means to grow, persevere, and reflect on life through words. Her life and career have been shaped by a commitment to service and a desire to make a difference in the lives of others. She spent decades in professions that demand empathy and discernment helping people navigate life’s most critical moments and I’ve learned that every story, no matter the genre, carries lessons worth sharing.
Trench story: came from an abusive childhood- story’s in her memoir. Turned into a fighter for others, became an interceder, caretaker. She didn’t feel worthy, almost abandoned at times. She journaled how she felt. Writing felt therapeutic for her. Another trench-became an alcoholic after she was married but became sober 42 yrs ago. Her faith came in and she got support to get sober. She encourages ppl in those trenches to get help. Additionally, retiring was a trench- retired at 72. She went back to work, new role. Went to work for hospice and became the compliance officer was there 5 yrs, learned a lot. Then worked for medical supply chain, then they said she wasn’t a fit. Then she finally retired & decided to write FT.
How has your work in healthcare, hospice, and legal nursing shaped the way you approach storytelling across multiple genres? She gets ideas from everywhere, such as squirrels she sees outside the window. When you have an idea & write it down on paper, you embellish it. She has a “bad girl” journal she hopes no one sees till she dies 😀
How do you balance writing across genres from memoir and literature to science fiction and children’s books while maintaining authenticity in your voice? She needs to focus on any genre. Sci-fi book-grandson was great artist. He encouraged her to write, make up the story. She studied scientific facts in order to write it. Is your back story good enough to latch on to the reader? Theme is the character’s motivation. She would like to write a trilogy based in 18th century. History repeats itself.
What advice would you give to aspiring multi-genre writers about developing versatility without losing their unique voice? Fear- of not doing a good job, of embracing an idea you’re not sure someone will listen to. Make your education active. She taught HS. She had to harness the energy so she surprised them. Asked them to march around the room. She showed herself as a human being.
How do you approach writing for different audiences: children, adult fiction readers, or suspense/thriller enthusiasts while staying true to your values and style? She can talk about t’s she had in HS who helped st’s who had writing abilities. She encouraged her st’s to read. She worked for st newspaper, told jokes. Journaling is great. IT doesn’t need to be published. Some boys she taught in vocational ed she asked to write about their feeling about the class when they came vs. when they left, or observing ppl & writing about it. She also encouraged them to dress up & be themselves.
In what ways do you hope your stories inspire or impact your readers, and what do you want audiences to take away from your work? when she taught, she had st’s do hands-on activities. Put casts on & forgot it was exam day. She likes the action of learning-taking them on field trips. Multi genre piece allows ppl to see what type of book it is. You don’t have to have a lot of rules. She encourages peer critiques. Revisit your journal later. If you’ve started writing/reading something, make where you left and start from the beginning. Ask friends what they like to read.
Publications coming out in Oct/Nov. Book Lavender, is weird, about a baby who is the product of a rape. Character Lavender becomes like Superwoman. Toby and his Travels– about a found dog, based on a personal story. Orphans- YA book, she’s putting out the sequel. She’s studying to write trilogy.
Out of everything: three things: listen which includes observation, everyone has a story to tell; forgiveness is important but forgive yourself, everyday forgive ppl who may have hurt you. Tell yourself you love yourself and have the best day you can have. Write journals.
Where can ppl find you online: https://nancyjasinensley.com/ is on FB/IG/LinkedIn please comment @nancyjasin her books on amazon, good reads. Jasinsbookstorellc- book store
View this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/x-zruQZbSqk