By Jonathan Burger, Craven Arts Council & Gallery, Inc.
Where are you from and how’d you end up in eastern North Carolina?
I am from Jackson, Mississippi, but was born 33 miles from New Bern at Camp LeJeune Marine Corp Base in Jacksonville, NC, so I have come full circle in my life. I moved to New Bern in 2020 from Kailua, Hawaii, when my husband retired from the University of Hawaii (Doctor Paul-local musician). We had friends in Oriental and were originally thinking of moving there but it was too small. After visiting New Bern, I knew we found our next home. We moved here during COVID (June, 2020) with only 40 boxes, thinking we would down-size. Six months later we bought our 170 year-old dream home in the Downtown Historic District.
Do you have formal training as an author, or are you self-taught?
I am self-taught but have had a writing coach for a number of years and attended several writer’s workshops. I originally wrote for scientific publications which is a completely different style from a narrative, non-fiction book.
You’ve had a variety of interesting careers over the years. Can you talk about how these contribute to your writing?
I started writing in high school for my school newspaper and was co-editor my senior year. In every organization I was employed, writing was an essential skill to my being hired. For example, as the Wellness Director at Adventist Health Castle Hospital I wrote grants, media articles and year-end reports. At the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention I wrote scientific articles for peer-reviewed journals and translated the science into consumer-friendly messages. I have also written for newspapers and magazines. I co-authored a nutrition book, Eating the Rainbow: Without Lies, Hype or Calculus. Each writing assignment required a different set of criteria so I was able to hone my writing skills with each assignment. You focus on writing rather on your careers.
Your book “You Are Deathless,” deals with some serious and interesting topics. Can you talk about why you wanted to write that book, both for you and the readers?
You Are Deathless – A Near-Death Experience Taught Me How To Fully Live And Not Fear Death was a book I had “in” me for over two decades. When people tell you, “you ought to write a book” repeatedly you are onto something. Since my memory returned of the near-fatal car crash 19 years after the crash happened, I knew I needed to share my message with the world. I thought a book would be a great platform. Incidentally, I am a 100% Disabled Veteran as the result of my injuries. We live a culture of “death denial” in America and I want to share my messages to not fear death, plus lessons learned from NDE’s about living today. Death is a very heavy topic yet the one thing we will all face. None of us are guaranteed tomorrow, so live in the present moment and treat people as though you may never see them again. Because you might not!
Can you tell us any ideas or info about the next book you might write, or are in the process of writing?
It took me 13 years to write and publish You Are Deathless. I can tell you if/when I write another it will not take that long. With the addition of AI, e-books and self-publishing the world of book publishing is changing rapidly. More people are listening to Audible rather than reading, and podcasts are also booming.
Is there another author whose work you admire or inspires you?
I have several authors whom I admire and who inspire me – Dr. Wayne Dyer, Anita Moorjani, Rumi, Jodi Picoult, Barbara Kingsolver, Agatha Christie and Carolyn Keene (the pseudonym for all the authors who wrote the Nancy Drew Mystery Series).
Do you have any advice for authors just starting out or people wanting to get into writing?
If you are a perfectionist, deal with that identify first or else you will never finish. Procrastination is universal for all authors – do have a plan to deal with that. Writer’s block is normal as well. Sometimes you have to put the book down and come back later. Write for yourself and write what you know about. Don’t tell people what you think they want to hear, be authentic. Get an editor no matter how good you think you can write. And the old truism is true: Don’t wait till you know what you want to say — Start writing and you’ll figure out what you want to say.
What book, award, event, or other artistic achievement are you particularly proud of, and why?
You Are Deathless is a national best seller and it is also a 5-star Readers’ Favorite in the Spirituality category. I was also selected as one of 10 local authors for 2024 New Bern Local Authors Luncheon sponsored by The Friends of the New Bern Craven County Library. I think I am most proud of being interviewed in over 100 podcasts in two years bringing my message to thousands all over the world (See www.nicolekerr.com/media/podcasts). Additionally, I narrated my own book for Audible which added another layer of healing to my journey. Voicing your story, then hearing it played back caused me to relive the experiences and emotions.
In one sentence, what is art to you?
Art is one of the reasons life is worth living. And I love this one by Joseph Campbell, “It is the function of art to carry us beyond speech to experience.”
I know you’ll be participating in the Bank of the Books event at Bank of the Arts during Mumfest, but where else can people find your work?
Bill Furney and I are co-chairing the first Bank of the Books, where 17 local authors will be featured on Saturday, Oct. 12th. You may also find my book at Next Chapter Books & Art on South Front Street. It is also available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kindle, Audible and the North Carolina library system. You can also contact me through my website, www.nicolekerr.com and follow me on Instagram at nicole.angelique.kerr.