Nancy Griffis was born and raised all over Massachusetts, USA. The only place she didn't live, really, was the western part of the state. Part Gypsy? Who knows? Certainly Boston Irish. She went to college for a long 1.5 years and did well but was bored out of her gourd and broke, so she dropped out. Formal education and Ms Griffis, it seemed, didn't mix.

From MA, Nancy moved to GA just for the hell of it. There were a lot of good experiences in Atlanta and she totally loves the city to this day; she would move back in a heartbeat. It was there that a few someones mentioned that she should write for TV. She thought, "Well, what can it hurt?" So Nancy bought a lot of books and set about writing really, really, really bad television scripts. A lot of them.

And then Nancy moved to California, lugging a desktop computer on the train with her for three very long days. She loves, loves, loves California and will be moving back in short order. It was there that Nancy really came into her writing skills and where she sold her first novel, 'Mind Games.' She placed in a couple of script contests, continued to improve her writing, and moved around a lot, as well as worked for yet another health insurance company.
On a daily basis, a new novel and several television spec scripts browbeat Nancy into submission. Ah, the life of a writer.

Tell us a little about your background—has it in any way contributed to your desire to become a writer?

We moved around a lot when I was growing up and my grandmother lived with us for a major portion of my child/teen-hood. Those were both very influential in my life, but the defining thing was a need for a creative outlet. When I was little, until I was about fourteen, I had ballet. When that stopped, writing kicked me in the head and I've been hooked ever since.

Who are some of the authors you consider to be your earliest influences?

Ooh. I've always wanted to say this! Madeleine L'Engle was, I think, the first fantasy novelist I ever read. A Wrinkle in Time still has a very fond place in my heart. After her, would be Marion Zimmer Bradley's Darkover series.

What are you currently working on?

A scifi script, fantasy novel, and a few different television spec scripts.

Your first book, Mind Games, has just been released by Regal Crest enterprises. Tell us a bit about the process of writing the book and getting it to the right publisher.

The writing process for me starts with the characters. I get an idea about people before situations and even though I've been told that's backwards, it's what happens. I wrote Mind Games in about two or three months, did a lot of bitching and moaning to my friends, rewrote it a couple more times, did more bitching and moaning and then lost my job, moved to California, ignored it for a good six months, and then did a search online for independent publishers, whom I felt would be best suited for Mind Games. I submitted it to Regal Crest and, as they say, the rest is history.

Rebecca Curtains, the protagonist of Mind Games is a PsiAgent. How did her character form from beginning to end; any major changes throughout discovering who she was?
Ah, Becca. She actually came about as a counter to Genie's innate darkness. I needed someone who would balance out Genie's past by giving Genie someone good enough to make her strive to be better.

What do you fins interesting about this specific genre of mystery, one with a supernatural/psychic slant?

I don't actually consider this a mystery novel. To me, it's science fiction first, a thriller second, and a mystery last. The psychic nature, the possible evolution of humanity in that way, is something that's always fascinated me.

You must have done some very interesting research for the book.

Not really. The great thing about (soft) science fiction books is that you get to make up your own universes. If I have a real science question, though, I've got friends who can help me out with it.

Will there be a follow up?

Just as soon as I figure out what it is, yes.

Are you superstitious at all?

Boston Irish. 'Nuff said.

Do you have a general outline when you start a new story or do you prefer to not keep it too structuralized?

Novels are very seat-of-the-pants for me. Every time I start outlining a novel, the characters tell me otherwise partway through. Scripts are a lot different though. I definitely need to know where to go with scripts because every word counts. I get to be a lot more generous with novels and have time to explore the world and characters, let them have free reign.

What about the book writing process do you find the most difficult?

Rewriting and synopses. I hate synopses and they hate me. Severely.

How do you think you are still improving yourself as a writer?

I write all the time, every day, as much as I can.

What are you reading, listening and watching right now?

I'm reading The Whole Shebang, by Timothy Ferris, which is a cosmology book about the universe that one of my science friends lent me. I listen to an insane amount of music and am just starting to get into podcasting. I listen to Slacker Astronomy and Creative Screenwriting so far. As for watching, my main shows that I want to write for (and therefore watch incessantly) are: Supernatural, The 4400, The Closer, Boston Legal, Stargate Atlantis, Prison Break, 24, and NCIS. I also can't wait for Pulse and Pirates of the Caribbean 2 to come out!

Do you find you have enough time to do all the other things you need to do without filling all your free time with writing?

Absolutely not. There is never enough time. I'm lucky I get five hours of sleep a night.

If there was a book you wished you'd written yourself, what would it be, and why?

I find myself kicking my own ass over scripts more than books, but hmm… I would have to say Lt. Hornblower, by C.S. Forester. Aside from the incredible and heartfelt characterizations that shine through all the nautical terminology to make the book absolutely unforgettable, it proves that evil authors aren't a recent invention. I adore evil authors. I, myself, love to be evil to my characters. It's better than therapy.

What are you working on right now?

A feature script. I'll give you a little teaser in the form of its logline: Best friends set out on an interstellar romp that leads them into gunfights, a kidnapping, sword fights, a bordello, lesbian assassins and true love. What's not to write home about?

Tell us something about Nancy Griffis no-one else knows...

I would, but I don't kiss and tell. ;o)

Who would you like to send to Room 101?

Everyone? Just kidding. My ninth grade geometry teacher.

What's the best (or worst or both) advice anyone has ever given you abut the publishing industry?

Honestly, I haven't gotten any advice one way or the other about the publishing industry.

A happy writer is a...

Myth. Or one in a firm state of denial. Or on drugs or drunk. Unless they're on the NY Best Seller's list. Probably all of the above. I've never actually met a happy writer. If it's not life that's insane, then their current work is kicking their ass. And if their current work isn't kicking their ass, then they aren't writing.