A Storyteller In Our Own Backyard
Local author Rosa Feeney incorporates Nesconset history into a first novel of romance and intrigue
By Chad Kushins
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Rosa Feeney may have waited years to write her first novel, but research and a passion for local history were two elements that came naturally.
An attorney of over twenty years, Feeney was involved in investigations surrounding the Nesconset Armory property, advocating its eventual sale and transition into the now-standing state-of-the-art Smithtown Library Nesconset branch. With her experience in the court room and a working knowledge of town politics, Feeney has run a successful private practice in Smithtown for over a decade, specializing in insurance litigation. But last year, she undertook, undoubtedly, one of her greatest challenges – putting pen to paper and writing her first novel.
Playfully entitled Nimby – an anagram for “Not In My Backyard, played up for its quirkiness on the novel’s cover – Feeney’s literary debut walks a delicate balance of modern romance and courtroom drama; she even describes the book as an entry in the popular “chick lit” genre, modestly claiming that the book’s tone and aesthetic is purposely conversational and light in its style. As an attorney, Feeney spent years writing non-fiction books and articles about law, making her foray into fiction a fun change for both her and her readers.
Indeed, those looking to add a “page-turner” to their list of summer reading beach books won’t be disappointed – especially those Smithtown residents who may find the story’s sub-plot a little close to home. Telling the story of 24-year-old Gabriella Estephan, a lawyer working at the fictional Law Office of Harting & Rutherford – a character blended of complete imagination and, Feeney admits, some of herself – the book sees the young protagonist biting off a little more than she can chew when her latest work assignment develops into a mystery involving … the Nesconset Armory property.
Feeney took time to speak with Smithtown Matters about her new book, the learning experience of entering 
the world of fiction writing, making time to follow your passions, and why Smithtown residents will love reading a romantic suspense novel where the locale will seem strangely familiar…
How would you describe the book’s tone and its genre? Is it suspense, or romance – or maybe historical fiction, since the Nesconset Armory plays such an important role in the plot?
Well, there is some suspense in it, but I would actually categorize it as “chick lit” [laughs]. It’s very light, even though the cover doesn’t give that appearance. It’s written in that kind of genre, honestly. It’s very light, but there is some suspense and mystery in there, too.
Without giving too much away, what role does the Nesconset Armory play in the story?
Well, it’s basically the center of the story. Gabriella [the protagonist] is a law student and she becomes entangled in this web between the politics of the town involving the Armory and the law firm that she’s working for.
Did you have to take any form of precautions when writing the book, since it’s based on a real place and a true-life scenario, especially one that was so hotly-debated and controversial among Smithtown residents? Where you nervous about what local officials might think?
Sure, but when you read the story, there’s such a mix and mingle of people, and places, and characters. There is, of course, some inspiration from real people who were involved, but it was more of a mixture of things that happened to me during my entire life and career. I didn’t take any real people and turn them, directly, into characters.
In the book, did you have to give any real background on the Armory itself, or did you have to conduct additional research?
Yes, I did. But, because I was involved in the Armory debacle for fifteen years, I had a lot of information. I ad accumulated boxes of documents – the history of the Armory and interviews with people that I knew in the community. There’s a segment in the book that explains its full background.
When you go on to write another book, maybe a sequel, do you think you’ll make it another blend of fact and fiction – maybe pick another local area to use as the setting for the plot with more local history?
I think that that will be unique to this book. It was a situation that I don’t think could happen again. I’ve actually started the next book – the sequel, if you want to call it that – and the same main character is involved. But this time, it’s much more of a legal-based book.
So how much of your lead character is really based on you and how much is from your imagination?
I would say about fifty-fifty [laughs].
How long had you aspired to write? Was that something that you always dreamed of doing even before pursuing your law career?
Actually, it was a more-recent interest. I had spent many years writing non-fiction – like articles for law journals and things for clients – and wanted to try something that was fiction. I wanted to do something that was purely enjoyable, I wanted to make up a story and make it go wherever I wanted.
Since you have your own law practice, how were you able to make time to write the book? What’s your normal creative process like?
Well, I’m not a TV watcher, so at night, my release is that I sit there with my computer on my lap and I type. It’s like when people relax by working in their garden. It was a release and a way to unwind and I think that anybody can really find the time to do something they want if they really want it enough. I have two kids and between that running my own business, I had to do it at night. And little by little, slowly but surely, I finished it. It took about a year.
Do you write everyday?
Not every day, but I try as much as possible. There were breaks as I went along. You know, I’d get so involved with something at work and I couldn’t possibly make time on certain days – but in the beginning, it was intense. I would work, work, work – then there would be a small break. It’s certainly better when you sit and write it, straight through every night, but I work with the time I had. Sometimes life gets in the way [laughs].
I liked the title right away. As a local reporter, I understood the reference of “Nimby”, but many people may not of heard it before.
Well, the book is now self-published, but I consulted an agent first. She wanted to change the title, or expand it, saying a lot of people may not know what “Not in my backyard” meant, or that “Nimby” is a term for it.
I also liked that your website offers visitors the chance to see the process you went through in choosing a cover. You posted all of the alternate covers and they’re all pretty impressive. Was it a tough choice?
Definitely. My graphic designer, Catherine Hanson, is fantastic. She came up with all these amazing covers and, at first, I could not decide which one to go with. Finally, I said, “I’m going to post all of them up there [on the website] so people can see how many great options there were.”
She did a great job. Where did you find her to do the cover?
[Laughs] She’s my niece!
It sounds like there was a lot about this book and how you designed it that was personal to you. Would you say that it was a learning experience, just getting it done and ready for publication and then, finally, the promotion?
Oh, absolutely. I’m learning something new everyday, even with the book complete. Promotion is it’s own thing and it’s just as tough. But the internet was a huge resource and I read dozens of books on the publishing industry while the whole process went on. As far as getting the word out there about the book, locally it’s been easier, since the story pertains to Smithtown. But the topic of the book is something that’s very common everywhere, that “not in my backyard” concept, and I wanted to get that across, too.
What advice do you have for other people, especially those who work full-time day jobs, who would love to get started in pursuing a dream of writing a novel?
Just do it! Just get out there and don’t be afraid. Don’t let anything hold you back and you don’t even have to show it to anyone. Just do it, even if it’s only for you – and you may be surprised at what you can do.
Rosa Feeney will be appearing at the Smithtown Library Nesconset Branch on May 10th at 7:00pm. For more information on the author or to order a copy of Nimby, visit www.rosamfeeney.com.