Nickii Fowler

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am, what I like to refer to as a “Vintage Woman”, sounds much better than Old Biddy, don’tcha think? I write historical romance, it seems fitting. For 35 years I suffered with writers’ block, a very painful condition for someone who was able to write all of her younger life. It’s like the most delicious meal is right in front of you, and your arms are tied to the chair.
Putting my life on hold for 8 years, I took care of my ailing parents, Mom had ovarian cancer, and when she was dying, Dad suffered a major stroke. Because I was unable to work outside of the home my Social Security was drastically affected, thus I am forced to live on a very limited income.
Then one morning while I was recovering from by-pass surgery on both legs, (Oh yeah, my legs gave out 2 days after Dad passed, go figure.) it was a sudden surprise to find that a story was flowing from my fingertips, and the blockage had crumbled. I hoped that publishing and selling my books would augment my paltry social security and improve my quality of life.
I’m sure that you might be familiar with Murphy’s Law: That which can go wrong; will go wrong. Well, allow me to introduce you to Nickii’s Law: Murphy was an optimist. I can write like a maniac, but affording to do all that it takes to publish a good book…I refer you to the taped arms reference.
To date I have published 6 books. Currently I have one more completed, two nearly so, and about nine others in various states of completion. I am what could be described as a serial writer.
The de Clare Chronicles begins in 1213 England, and consists of 4 books, and is the continuous story of the part the de Clare’s played in the Magna Carta, along with a loving romance.
In the Chronicles: Love’s Tie That Binds, Love’s Sweet Home, Love’s Valiant Struggle, and The Golden Thread.
Glorious Surrender set in 1366 is a stand alone book, and I have received requests from my readers for a sequel.
Quarter Given begins in 1067, and is my latest published work.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Fate by Fire. It hasn’t been published yet, but will be in the near future. The settings in my books are developed using my actual ancestors, their last names, and the historical facts of the time and place they lived. I come from a very long line of Kings, Queens, and other nobility. So much for genetics, if it all gets watered down to a little old lady, a neurotic cat, and a bedoffice. Sad.
Fate by Fire begins with the great London fire of 1666. My 7th great grand uncle, Charles 2nd, is on the throne. The plague had ravaged England and Europe, and the last reported case of plague was in January. On September 3rd the fire began on Pudding Lane in the primarily wooden medieval city, and spread very quickly through the streets and allies, throwing the citizenry into a panic. It took several days to put the fire out, and scores of years to rebuild and improve London.
Though he received little credit for his actions at the time, King Charles II, was out fighting the fire on the first day, taking omen f his courtiers with him. Charles was in a very difficult place, his father, King Charles I, had been beheaded in 1649, when a revolt took place and he was placed on trial. Most of the royalists in England, Scotland, and Ireland fled to Europe, and were in exile until 1660 when Charles 2nd returned. This is a very interesting time, and far too complicated for this. Fate by Fire lightly touches on this subject, serving as background for the story.
I love history, and majored in it at college. I’m fascinated by what life was like, and how people dealt with the day to day challenges. These become the inspiration for my books.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
My writer’s office is my bed, and I lay on my stomach and use a touch screen computer. It’s just me and my cat, Syndi, plugging away.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
The late Kathleen Woodiwiss, and Roberta Gillis. There have been many others who have inspired me in one way or another, there is a great variety of the sisterhood out there.

What are you working on now?
There are two books that I’m bounding between at the moment. An Unprepared Life has guest appearances of the main characters from The de Clare Chronicles, and is very close to completion. Josephine de Carter has spent her young life preparing to enter a Covent on her 18th birthday. When Ethan, Royal Duke of Lanark arrives to offer marriage, her greedy parents accept, ignoring their promise to the church. Josephine is thrown into a life she is not prepared for.
Conquered (the working title) takes place in 1071. Lord Alan has been gifted a large holding for his service to King William in his conquest of England. His father’s health keeps him from claiming it for 5 years. In hopes of creating a happy life for himself, he arrives to find that h’s interests have been managed expertly by the daughter of the original Thane who was killed at Hastings. To his horror he finds her attempting to take her life rather than become a Normans whore.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’ve only just starting to promote my books. The majority of my time has been dedicated to writing. Being “vintage”, I am new to social media and am muddling my way through their usefulness. I’ve been posting and running ads on Facebook, tweeting my little heart out, and using what other sites as I learn about them. To be honest, I’m downright pitiful at it.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Yes. Write every day, even if only for 5 minutes. Often, when you aren’t feeling inspired, sitting down for a few minutes will get the juices flowing. Before you know it you’ll have written several pages. Writing is a very lonely venture, just you, the plots, and characters. Oh, and if you have a cat be prepared to have them believing that they are the co-author.
Find a good editor!
Make use of a few beta readers, their input is invaluable.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Find a good editor. Be passionate about the work, the love you put in it will resonate with your readers. You are not just writing; you are painting a picture that will take the reader into the world you create.

What are you reading now?
Because I am in the process of writing and editing, I only have time to read my own working. I admit that the author is brilliant! The story is riveting, the characters believable and well fleshed out.

What’s next for you as a writer?
That’s a good question, I don’t know that I have an answer to that. Mostly finishing the books I’ve started, and corralling all the thought for new ones that are rattling around in my head. I’m also focusing on promoting my work, and conquering marketing myself in an efficient way.

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 Bible. You can read it repeatedly and get something new out of it each time.
The Wolf and the Dove by Kathleen Woodiwiss. I simply love this book.
How to survive on a desert island.
A medical book in case of illness or injury.

Author Websites and Profiles
Nickii Fowler Website

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