Hi Everyone!

First off, thank you for allowing me this great opportunity. I haven't read all the posts yet, but the ones I have read have been very moving. Don't fret about saying anything wrong or to hurt my feelings. I appreciate honest feedback, and have come a long way as far as accepting negative and constructive feedback. And, quite honestly, I am not so sure even I liked the old Nancy! I don't think you are supposed to.

I will try to answer all the questions on the list. Of course, since I have something important to do, my computer crashed. I am poking away at a borrowed laptop. So my responses may be a bit slow, or misspelled since I can barely type on this contraption.

1. What does the title "The True Face of Earth" mean?

1: The title true face of earth came from a feeling that everything I was taught to believe from my father turned out to be wrong. The fact that he dumped me totally negated my belief that fathers are supposed to care for their children. This, unfortunately, has followed me through life and severely damaged my relationships with all men.

2. In writing this memoir did you deliberately add the scene where your mother accused your father of an affair so the fights would be understandable to the reader? You have done an incredible job in The True Face of Earth and Orbiting Izzy, I hope you are going to write more stories.

2. I did deliberately add that scene. I do not recall a scene exactly like that actually happening. However, it was true to the spirit of the time in my house. The fights were real, as was the affair, but I needed to make a muddy, confusing time for me more accessible to the reader. And thank you. I am writing a new story right now.

3. The continuing images in the story are very effective: the Little Prince, the "look 'em in the eyes," and the egg images are just super. Did you tend to think of them first or add them later on as symbols? (if you can remember)

3. The images just sort of appeared. Especially the egg one. As we read through in our group, the egg theme just sort of popped up. Someone pointed it out and I ran with it. The eye contact thing was a total accident, however I do think eye contact is very important. The Little Prince I had recently reread, and it seemed suitable in the story.

4. I would like to know if you have been in contact with your father since you wrote this book? How does your mother feel about the book and how she is portrayed, if you would like to answer those, if not that's fine too.

4. Unfortunately, my Dad still won't speak to me. I am willing and open, though, when he's ready. My mother passed away while I was in prison from liver cancer. It was shortly after this happened I joined the writing group. It was, by far, the hardest experience of my life. I was not allowed to see her or speak with her, nor go to the funeral. Wally and my fellow writers really came along at a time when I needed some support.

5. Now that you are out of prison, do you let people know about it? If so what is their reaction?--Jerilyn

5. I let people know I've been in prison if I need to. Like potential employers, AA sponsors, AA groups, people I want to let know me. I'm not ashamed of it, but there is a huge stigma attached to being an ex prisoner. It's hell getting jobs.

6. Do you think impaired judgment caused by the abuse of alcohol and/or other drugs plays a significant part in the committing of crimes that make people end up convicted and serving a prison sentence? --Malryn

6. I can't say enough what I think about drugs/alcohol playing a huge role in people's becoming incarcerated. I think its like 80% of prisoners nationwide are there for drugs or drug related crimes (I count alcohol as a drug). This is heartbreaking. Most of these people are sick, addicted people.

7. Ms Whiteley, why do you think you went to the airport with your boyfriends? Why was being at the airport so important to you?--Malryn

7. I have no idea why I went to the airport with those guys. I guess it was some freudian thing. Subconsciousness. But, before I began writing this story, it suddenly dawned on me that I spent a lot of time in airports. This story was my search to find possible connections between the airport of my youth and my teens. I love everyone's ideas on I why did this. I think everyone was right. It was a combination of things.

8. Did you come to know Nancy Whiteley by the time your story was ready for publication? -- Kiwi Lady (Carolyn in New Zealand)

8. I still don't really know Nancy Whiteley. But I am getting better. I work on it alot. I tell you one thing, I like Nancy Whiteley a whole lot better.

9. Which story, "The True Face of Earth" or "Orbiting Izzy," was written first?

9. Orbiting Izzy came first.

10. How long did it take you to write "The True Face of Earth" and "Orbiting Izzy?" What did you find most difficult about the editing process? ---Marge

10. I wrote both stories between October and April--so six months total. Maybe about three each.

11. Have you been published yet anywhere besides in this book? -- Marge

11. Sadly, I have not yet been published elsewhere.

12. Were you able to enter college, as you had hoped, in 2003? -- Marge

12. I will begin school at the University of Memphis (part-time for now) this spring HOORAY!!

13. What are you writing now? -- Malryn

13. my current story is about a trip me and my four siblings took together this spring to scatter my mother's ashes. SOrt of my personal way of saying goodbye, since I wasn't there for her funeral.

Thats all for now, but I will check back as time allows. Thanks again for all the great feedback.

Nancy Whiteley