Astoria woman’s first novel

Lorna Rainey, an Astoria resident and talent agent, has found a new way to showcase some of her own abilities by publishing her first novel, “Native Intelligence.”
“Native Intelligence,” which just came out in April, focuses on two Native American men who stop a terrorist plot taking place following the September 11, 2001 attack on the World Trade Center.
“I wanted to show contemporary Native American people as they are - living and working among general society,” said Rainey, who is descended from Choctaw Indians on her mother’s side and African Americans on her father’s side. “I wanted to show Native people in situations which have nothing to do with eagle feathers and mystical smoke; not to say that those are not a part of the culture. But it is a great disservice to always be relegated to Hollywood Indian stereotypes.”
The project began for Rainey in 1999. While traveling in a rental car with a friend, she felt ill and, after getting out for fresh air, felt sick again as soon as she was back in the car. She said the novel was born from that incident.
“I call it a gift from the great spirit,” Rainey said of the inspiration for the book.
Rainey said that the book was always intended for film. A producer and others in the movie industry expressed interest in the story in August of 2001, but due to the September 11 attacks, the project could not be done at that time. However, Rainey eventually went back to the novel and decided to update it using material from the World Trade Center attacks.
Rainey said that having her book published has been a thrill. She is also working on once again trying to get it made into a film.
“I just hope that people will take to the story, love the story,” Rainey said. “It’s a story for every one.”
“Native Intelligence” is available through amazon.com, borders.com and barnesandnoble.com. It can also be purchased through www.nativeintelligence.com.