Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m Nick, a former journalist turned full-time writer, editor and dad. Although I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember, the first story I was satisfied with came when I was 16, and it was ten years later, after going to college and starting work at my local paper, that I began my first novel. I’ve now written seven, including the three books and prequel that make up my upcoming trilogy, as well as a novella I published a couple of years ago as part of a collection that also included short stories. In recent years, I’ve found my work has taken on an increasingly speculative hue, and I’m excited to keep discovering hitherto unknown worlds.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is called Black & White, and is the first part of the trilogy I mentioned just there. It was inspired by the fact that we all have to deal with dirt and grime invading our homes on a daily basis; a major inconvenience, especially if we have full-time jobs. What if scientific developments meant that all dirt was eradicated? Of course, that would make for quite a sterile society, and I had to have something to offset it. I came up with the idea of an elitist society that is totally clean, while all the dirt has been relocated to another country that is now beset by disease. This is unknown to those in the “clean” society – except, of course, those in charge.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I usually get up around 4am to write, which might seem unusual to some, because my day job starts at 6 and I’m guaranteed peace and quiet at that time. I also don’t write in chapters on a first draft, preferring to divide up the text during edits, once I know how the action flows and where breaks would best be placed.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Terry Pratchett is my all time favourite author. What I like most about him is that while the worlds he creates are wild and wonderful (and yes, there is more than Discworld), the characters are people you can recognise. George Orwell’s 1984 has also been a big influence, particularly on my latest series.
What are you working on now?
I’m currently working on edits for the second and third books in my series, which should be released in spring/summer next year.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’ve been engaging more on Twitter and mixing up the content with fun quotes and facts from my books. It seems to be getting a good response.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write the story you want to write – don’t be distracted by passing trends. Practice your craft by setting aside dedicated time every day to write. Less people are blogging nowadays, but I would always recommend it as a fantastic way of making connections with fellow authors and soaking up a wealth of advice. I would say that blogging is for connecting with other writers, while other social media like Facebook and Instagram are for connecting with readers.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Something I was told by a critique partner – try to avoid the use of the infinitive when describing action (to shoot, to run). So instead of saying “He raised his hand to switch on the light”, try “He raised his hand to the light switch and the room was suffused with a warm glow”. The idea is that the reader sees the results of the action, rather than merely being told what the action is.
What are you reading now?
An awesome series about three sisters in Alaska who can shift into bears, by Christine Rains.
What’s next for you as a writer?
After I finish up with this series, I’ve got lots more ideas in a speculative vein that I’m excited about working on. I don’t yet know whether these will be standalones, series or short stories; I’m just looking forward to seeing where they take me.
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?
First I would say The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams because I find that book endlessly entertaining; then some Dickens, because I’ve sadly never made enough time to read him, perhaps Oliver Twist; and then another author I want to read more of, Stephen King, probably IT. Apart from being a weighty tome, hence taking up more of the time, hopefully being scared would keep me alert to any possible dangers lurking!
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