“Nan Becklean – Her Never Ending Story…”

So what is it about Nan Becklean making her a unique member of the human race?

Author, Nan Becklean

• Some say it’s due to her being the first and only woman stevedore on an Amazonian freighter during her illustrious youth…

• Others avow her claim to fame came about while she was captain of her local roller derby team – when still just a teenager…

• Then there are those who are adamant in their belief her current psyche was formed throughout her stint as a double-agent behind the now defunct Iron Curtain…

Unfortunately, the answer is none of the above – mainly because they didn’t  happen. (But who is to say it isn’t true in some alternate reality?)

Nan’s bio here on this world is a bit more down to earth.

A long time scribe of articles, musicals (librettos and lyrics) short stories, essays and poems – H.E.A.V.E.N. is her first major novel. Like the Greek Goddess Athena, the characters in this latest work sprang from her head full-blown – definitely not the usual path for a novelist.

(Nan does surmise they are ALL part of herself in some mysterious way — which leaves her commenting she must have more faces than Joanne Woodward’s Eve. Scary..).

Divorced after twenty years of marriage, this over-sheltered graduate of Smith College tackled the world as a stock broker/Certified Financial Planner, a “career” lasting all of 4 years – which opened her eyes to the true nature of the investment world. As Nan so dryly explains:

“It didn’t take me long to realize most of them would sell their sisters for a buck.”

And so, it was the world of words she turned to.

When not writing, Nan administers her husband’s business, albeit with little flair and diminishing efficiency. It’s an open secret she’d rather not be doing it at all.

A long time Connecticut resident with four terrific kids and six “perfect” grandchildren (what mom & grandmother would say less?) her life is still active and full.

Compelled with a strange mania to do crossword puzzles, download recipes and monitor her email as if it contained state secrets, Nan still knits and crochets… but hardly ever sews or gardens as before. But her new interest – tap dancing – more than makes up for putting her green thumb on hold.

She doesn’t cook the way she once did, despite the downloaded recipes and one-hundred & twenty-six cookbooks. (For some reason her husband never complains – though sometimes he asks if there’s anything to eat. Her 2 dogs are just happy to find chow in their bowls morning and evening!)

An avid reader, anything that even looks like it has something printed on it doesn’t stand a chance of evading her all-devouring eyes.

So what was Nan’s inspiration for H.E.A.V.E.N.?

Here’s her revealing explanation:

“Here’s the thing—I almost never read science fiction and thus it never occurred to me I’d write any. It was an accident; I found out my leading lady lived in the future and that was that. Accident or not, I’m clearly responsible for my book, H.E.A.V.E.N., and I expect the science fiction buffs who get hold of it will tell me I’ve broken some rockbound laws… Thus, to anyone offended by my lack of sci-fi politesse and know-how, I apologize – sort of.”

Well, as they say – some of the best things that happen in life happen by accident!

Nan is now in the process of writing a sequel to H.E.A.V.E.N., as well as compiling her memoirs, aptly titled “Off My Rocker.”

Drop Nan a line at heaven@nanbooks.com – she’ll be delighted to hear your thoughts on her book, and promises to respond to every new friend who writes!