Write a commentWife, mother and biochemist turned nurse, Meredith Pritchard is a self-proclaimed "sci-fi geek" who has always loved to write.
When she turned in her lab coat for a nurse's uniform, she also decided to "morph" her technical writing skills into a more creative form, shaping them into her first science-fiction novel, "The Phoenix Project."
Pritchard has already completed the second Phoenix Project novel in the series and is currently working on the third. In addition to the series, she also has a stand-alone science-fiction / fantasy novel written, tentatively titled "Saratoga."
"It's directed towards the young-adult/new-adult audience," Pritchard explained. "It has dancing, super-powers, romance and Greek Mythology."
All of her Phoenix Project books are set in the Oswego area, which she said is easily recognizable.
"The county (in The Phoenix Project) is called Phoenix County, but any local can read the book and pick up the hints – it's Oswego."
Born and raised in Oswego, Pritchard said she loves the small town feel, the neighbors, having family nearby, and yes, even the snowy weather. She is married to Jorden Pritchard and has a 6-year-old daughter Marrissa.
"My husband has been really great and supportive through all of this. He pushed me to continue writing and get my work out there."
Pritchard has a bachelor's degree in biochemistry from SUNY Oswego and an AAS (Associates in Applied Science) degree in nursing from Crouse Hospital School of Nursing. But, she said, writing has always been a creative outlet for her.
"While pursuing my degrees, however, I took a hiatus from writing in the creative manner," she said. "I was lucky enough to land a position in a small research lab right after I graduated from SUNY Oswego. Part of my job in the lab was writing, just in a more technical manner."
Pritchard has authored and co-authored a number of articles,working closely with the editors of scientific journals, such as Bone and Radiation Oncology Biology Physics, editing and publishing her laboratory findings.
"I really loved that work; I was passionate about the research and the writing," she said.
But when her daughter was born seven weeks premature and had to spend two weeks in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NCIU), she said it sparked something in her.
"As a new mother, there was nothing harder than being discharged and leaving my baby behind in the hospital," Pritchard recalled. "So I really wanted to go back to help other mothers and families who are going through the same situation."
As a result, she moved into nursing, working as an registered nurse in the NICU at Crouse Hospital.
"But I've always missed writing, so last year I finally put my pen to paper – or fingers to keyboard –and started writing fiction, which is what I've always wanted to do."
Pritchard feels that her research skills and technical writing experience were instrumental with the development of her creative writing skill.
"I chose to major in biochem because I love learning and I love learning about how the world works and about how the body works," she said. "The major also taught me how to think critically and research effectively, especially for looking up facts, digging into other research and articles and pulling out the important facts that I need. A good writer knows how to do their research. These days, readers are able to pull out the parts that don't make sense, no matter what the genre. If your social interactions, science, physics, even medical terms and situations don't make sense, your readers will call you out on it."
Pritchard remembered standing in line at SUNY Oswego in December of 2005, waiting to go on the stage to receive her degree in biochemistry.
"Standing next to me was a woman who was graduating with her degree in creative writing," she said. "I said to her, 'I'm so jealous; I've always wanted to be a writer.' She told me it was her second career and suggested I just start writing things down."
But, Pritchard knew how hard it could be to make a living as a writer and wanted to have a back-up plan.
"So I waited and waited, with this dream brewing in the back of my head," she said. "I watched my high school friends open businesses and pursue their dreams in other ventures. So, last year, I finally decided it was time to follow my dreams."
And follow it she did, writing whenever she got the chance – when her daughter is at school, while her family is sleeping and even in the parking garage at work.
"And I'm always brainstorming and taking notes on my iPhone, and I have various notebooks stashed in my bags and throughout my house."
Her first draft took a mere 14 weeks to write, but she said there were many, many more weeks of editing and polishing until she felt it was ready to be published.
"When I finished my first draft, I spent a lot of time sending out query letters and following agents and publishers on their blogs and websites," Pritchard explained. "Towards the end of last year, I started to notice and read about the transition in the publishing industry towards eBooks. And when I saw literary agents starting to publish their own works and publishers promoting eBooks, I knew it was the right choice."
Pritchard's first writing effort has earned her many positive and encouraging reviews, leaving her fans looking forward to the release of her second book in the series.
The Phoenix Project is currently available through amazon.com in paperback and as an eBook for Kindle.
"Unfortunately, it's not available on Nook because I gave Kindle a 90-day exclusive," Pritchard said. "So after the 90 days, I might get it up on Nook. I'm looking into that option."
Pritchard said she also hopes to have it on some book shelves as well, especially in Oswego.
"Local support would be fantastic," she stated, excitedly. "I have some wonderful fans helping advertise the book on Facebook and Twitter. "I haven't contacted the river's end bookstore yet, but now that the paperbacks are ready I hope to contact them and set something up."
To read some reviews or for more information, check out Pritchard's blog at http://secretlifeofatownie.blogspot.com/.
