Interview With Author Bethany Nicholls
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hi, my name is Beth. I’m a full-time dog mum and business analyst, as well as a part-time creative writer. As of now, I’ve completed one full length novel which is the first of a four-part series, though I have had different short stories and poems published in anthologies over the past decade.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The name of my latest book is Waning, and it was inspired by a conversation I had with my boyfriend nearly six years ago. We were talking about Twilight and how, as I got older, I couldn’t help but pick up on plot holes and various aspects which teenage me didn’t see as red flags. Instead of focusing on the weirdness of someone watching you sleep, the only thing he really struggled to accept was the whole ‘sparkling in the sunlight’ concept.
I tried my hardest to defend the creative choices that were made – “Do you know how hard it is to think of new ideas for something that’s been done at least a dozen times before?” – but the only positive that came from the discussion was the belief that I could maybe be the next person to re-invent vampires successfully.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I have an unusual habit of acting out scenes that I’m struggling to write, just to see how they would feel or sound.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Stephanie Meyer. Bram Stoker. Bethany Atazadeh.
What are you working on now?
At the moment, I’m working on ‘Full’ which is the third book of ‘The Lunar Phases’.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
To be honest, I’m pretty new to this side of publishing so I’m still trying to figure it all out.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
I think the best piece of advice I can offer is: Don’t focus on what every other writer is doing, and don’t worry if you’re not doing the same thing.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that there are thousands of ways to tell a story so who cares if yours isn’t like anyone else’s?
Do you want to write a 2nd person story in the present tense? Go for it!
Do you think a 1st person thriller in the future tense would be epic? Take a chance!
Follow the story wherever it goes, because you never know… maybe you’re the person who is supposed to write it.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“This is how you do it: you sit down at the keyboard and you put one word after another until it’s done. It’s that easy, and that hard.”
What are you reading now?
Nothing – While I’m writing, I try not to read as to avoid accidental cross-contamination of any sort.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m going to finish the first draft of ‘Full’ then circle back around and finish the re-write of my second book.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
The Complete Works of Sherlock Holmes, Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights, and The Phantom of the Opera.
Author Websites and Profiles
Bethany Nicholls Amazon Profile
Bethany Nicholls’s Social Media Links