Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Nicole R. Locker is a resident of Lubbock, Texas. She has a Master of Science in Psychology and a love for pit bulls, Pilates, and romance novels. Nicole dreamed of becoming a writer since grade school after writing her first poem in 4th grade at the age of nine. A Social Worker since 2008, she has published life-coaching books on self-esteem and personal relationships, and has now added Fiction Romance to her repertoire.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My most recent book is Second Thoughts, which is an alternate POV to my first fiction romance novella, First Impressions. What inspired Second Thoughts was that everyone who was reading First Impressions kept telling me they wanted more. So far, there hasn’t been a continuation story developing in my mind, but I did go back and re-write the story from the male character’s point of view. The initial idea for this “series” (no worries, they are both standalone if that’s your preference) came early one morning while I was running on a treadmill at the Rec Center of Texas Tech University. Also, there is a lot in Second Thoughts that you don’t get in First Impressions, so if you’ve already read First Impressions… well, let’s just say there’s two sides to every story!
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not really, although sometimes I will take a pen and one of those blank journals and write entire chapters by hand before I go back and type them out on my computer. I feel like my creative juices just flow a little bit better that way for some reason. Inevitably, when I do go back and type it all up, I will add, change, or remove some of the things I wrote.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I’m not sure that any particular author has influenced my writing, specifically, since my most favorite books tend to be paranormal romance, and so far all of my fiction romance has been anchored within the confines of realism. One of my all time favorite writers is Dannika Dark, and I hope to someday create the depth of characters and the superior creativity that Dark never fails to have in her books. Her Mageri Series is hands down my favorite books of all time, followed by Shannon Mayer’s Rylee Adamson Series in a close second.
What are you working on now?
I’m currently working on an adult romance novel I’ve titled Tragedy & Desire. I’ve been serializing chapters on Wattpad at https://www.wattpad.com/story/78646858-tragedy-desire or you can add it to your To-Read shelf on GoodReads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/31556565-tragedy-desire. It’s about 2 chapters away from being completed and sent off to my editor.
Tragedy & Desire is about a 24 year old woman, Perla, starting a new job after some unfortunate events left her desperate to vacate her previous one. Her first day as a legal assistant is pretty much a nightmare, and on her way out for the evening, she runs into (literally) a gorgeous but rich guy who she would be so attracted to, were it not for his obvious socioeconomic status. After her parents were murdered nearly 8 years prior in a home invasion, she and her younger sister blamed their family’s wealth and left their hefty inheritance to collect dust and interest in a bank downtown, unwilling to use it. Because of the biases that her past has created, she refuses to allow herself to get involved with this sexy stranger, Jax Maddox, but he is a force to be reckoned with and doesn’t know how to take no for an answer.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
So far I am still working on that. I don’t think there is a one-size-fits-all approach, but definitely running sales for free books has helped. I’ve only recently discovered the existence of websites like Awesomegang, so I definitely intend to use them more often!
Do you have any advice for new authors?
The best advice I can give to new authors is, invest in a good book cover, don’t skimp on editing, and make quality connections to promote your book instead of popping into various forums to leave a link to your book expecting others to click on it and buy. The chances are, no one pays attention to those, and people are much more likely to read your books when they feel some kind of positive connection with you personally.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Does this have to be about book publishing? I think the best advice I’ve ever heard is:
1. Pick your battles.
2. Don’t ask questions you don’t want the answers to. (And if you ask, then be prepared to hear the honest answer.)
What are you reading now?
I am currently reading a few different things, actually. Avalon Dreams by Alexa Whitewolf, which is a review request for my book blog (my way of giving back to the Indie Book Community). I’ve started reading the Rylee Adamson Epilogues by Shannon Mayer, and I’m also at some point planning on finishing the Harry Potter books… I’ve read 1, 2, and 7 completely… not in that order (I read book 7 after I saw The Halfblood Prince at the movie theater, then went back and started from the beginning)… now I’m midway through #3.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Next is to finish Tragedy & Desire. Then, who knows? I was also thinking of writing a Christmas novella for NaNoWriMo, but that may be pushed back to November if I can get to it, after I finish my current WIP.
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?
Oh no, 4 is the max limit? Well, I guess they would have to be…
Sterling by Dannika Dark
Priceless by Shannon Mayer
Into the Darkness by K.F. Breene
The Girl She Used To Be by David Cristofano
Author Websites and Profiles
Nicole R. Locker Website
Nicole R. Locker Amazon Profile
Nicole R. Locker’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
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