Friday, April 12, 2013

Interview with writer Nancy Sathre-Vogel

Nancy Sathre-Vogel is in the house today to tell us a bit about her travel memoir, Changing Gears: A Family Odyssey to the End of the World.

Nancy will be giving away 5 e-copies of her book during the tour. If you’d like a chance to win, use the form below the interview to enter. To learn more about Nancy and to enter for more chances to win, visit other tour stops.

Bio:
Nancy Sathre-Vogel is a 21-year classroom veteran who made the decision to leave her teaching career behind to travel the world on a bicycle. Together with her husband and twin sons, she cycled 27,000 miles throughout the Americas, including traveling from Alaska to Argentina. Now she lives in Idaho, pursuing her passions of writing and beadwork.


Welcome, Nancy. Please tell us about your book.
What would you do if you were not afraid?

Changing Gears is the true story of one woman asking herself that very question. What followed was a family journey of epic proportions – a journey of physical challenge, emotional endurance, teamwork, perseverance, and tremendous learning opportunities. It was a discovery of self, of priorities, of accepting hardships, of appreciating blessings, and of contrasting a comfortable past life with the extreme hardship and poverty of those they met.

Would the journey be a dream come true – or a mother’s worst nightmare?

The Vogel family’s bicycle journey from Alaska to Argentina – a 3-year, 17,000-mile expedition through 15 countries – will encourage you to rethink what’s possible.

What inspired you to write this book?
While cycling from Alaska to Argentina, I had a lot of time to think. And write.

Judging from the response I got from my website, I figured there were people out there interested in my story. I also feel it’s a story that can inspire and encourage others to get out of their comfort zone and reach for the stars.


What exciting story are you working on next?
I’m currently working on two books: one about homeschooling your children while traveling, and another about how to dream big and make those dreams happen.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?
I came to this fairly late in life. I’ve always enjoyed writing when I had something interesting to say, but considered myself a schoolteacher, not a writer. In 2006, we took off together as a family to ride our bikes around the USA and Mexico and I blogged about our journey. In 2007 I wrote a book about our experiences. I think that’s when I started thinking of myself as a writer.

Do you write full-time? If so, what's your work day like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?
No. I am a writer and bead artist. I try to write (or edit) every day, but also make time for my beadwork. You can see my beadwork here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/familyonbikes

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
I do my best writing on my bike. I think there is something about the rhythmic nature of it that allows me to think. I compose my essay on the bike, revise it in my head, then simply have to put the words on paper when I finish my ride.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Honestly, I have no idea. I don’t remember wanting to do anything, and don’t remember any stories told by my parents. In fact, I don’t think I figured out what I wanted to be when I grew up until I was about 25.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?
If I could get one message out, it would be that you can do more than you think you can. If *I*, a normal, ordinary mother of twins could ride my bike from Alaska to Argentina, then what can you do? What would you do if you were not afraid?


Thanks for stopping by, Nancy.

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