FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM MARCH 30, 2017 • BUZZ • THE QUEENS COURIER 53 buzz Douglaston native publishes her fi rst novel Nancy Brennan, who grew up in Douglaston, has written her fi rst fi ctional novel, Unraveling, which was recently published by Lincoln Square Books and is now available in paperback and as an e-book on Amazon. Unraveling is a magical tale fi lled with humor, weirdness, hope, and friendship involving a young female protagonist who fi nds herself in an environment which is oddly diff erent from anything she has previously known. She is badly injured and has no memory of who she is, how she got there, or her past. She is desperate to fi nd someone who can help her. With hope of an eventual reunion with her family to spur her on, she encounters diff erent characters along the way and experiences a series of adventures involving incredible escapades, fi lled with twists and turns. “Th e occurrence of these encounters is somewhat similar to the way the plots unfold for Alice and Dorothy in Alice in Wonderland and Th e Wizard of Oz. Richard Matheson’s What Dreams May Come was also a source of inspiration for me,” Brennan said. According to Brennan, “there were numerous years of stops and starts” as she tackled this major personal goal of writing her own novel while working a full-time corporate career. She also worked seasonally, consulting as an editor and college ess ay coach for students applying to undergraduate and graduate schools. “Helping my students calls for a lot of creative thinking as I always strive to have them showcase themselves in ways that make them stand out in the extremely competitive college admissions environment,” she said. “It would have been too much of a brain drain to be simultaneously writing a book given that priority.” Brennan is not new to creative writing; she started writing creatively at a young age and has a folder full of poems, illustrated story booklets, short stories, essays, mysteries and even an autobiography from the fi rst-person perspective of her dog. “Writing is a calling,” she said. “Who else would enjoy analyzing and diagramming sentences at a young age?” Brennan graduated from Th e Mary Louis Academy in Jamaica Estates. In graduate school, her Master’s thesis concerned the psychological eff ects of corporate downsizing; it was recommended for publication, but she never took that step. During her professional business career, she worked for JPMorgan Chase for 25 years, holding various positions as a fi duciary accountant, a fi nancial analyst and as human resources vice president. She also spent eight years at the Girl Scouts’ New York City national headquarters as a senior human resources specialist. Brennan is now enjoying her time outside of the corporate world to pursue her diverse interests, which include gardening. “My intense exposure to all kinds of plants, fl owers and insects for countless number of hours throughout the growing seasons, have made me sensitive to the details in nature. Without a doubt this fostered my ability to incorporate scenic descriptions in my writings as I actually envision my garden and natural surroundings.” Nancy holds a B.A. in English, an M.B.A. in Finance and an M.A. in Psychology. She is a resident of Manhasset where she raised two sons, as well as a dog and several cats. 144-02 135th Avenue, Jamaica, New York 11436/718 659-0200 www.jfkairport.hilton.com The Hilton New York JFK Airport hotel is set in an ideal location, convenient when visiting New York. Just ¼ mile from JFK International Airport, this New York hotel is suitable for both FIT, Groups, Visitors to NYC and Queens. Enjoy tasteful guest rooms and suites where every detail has been designed to create a pleasurable, relaxing environment during your stay. Enjoy amenities such as high-speed internet access, a large work desk and a 37-inch flat-screen TV. This friendly hotel features modern conveniences such as an inviting indoor salt water heated pool, a fresh fitness center and a casual American bistro-style restaurantbar, offering breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Close to Casino, Racetrack and Flushing Meadow Park/US Open. Mention this Ad and receive complimentary upgrade. Offer expires December 31, 2017 (Offer valid on new bookings only and does not apply to groups. Based on availability) The Rockaway Theatre Company In Partnership with N.P.S. Gateway National Recreation Area Proudly Presents our 20th Anniversary Opening Production: Conceived + Originally Directed + Choreographed by Michael Bennett Book by James Kirkwood & Nicholas Dante Music by Marvin Hamlisch Lyrics by Edward Kleban Directors- Susan Warren Corning and David Risley Musical Director-Jeffrey Arzberger Choreographer-Nicola De Pierro Nellen Performance Dates: March 31st April 1st, 7th, 8th @ 8PM Matinees: April 2nd and 8th @2PM For best seats call RTC Hotline at 718-374- 6400 or visit our website www.rockawaytheatrecompany.org Ticket prices: Adults-$20.00 /Seniors & Children-$15.00 Performances in the handicap accessible, Climate Controlled Post Theater, Bldg T4, Ft. Tilden, Breezy Pt, NY-Free Parking Available- This program is supported, in part, by public funds from N.Y.C. Department of Cultural Affairs and the office of the City Council
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