Author Interview with Nicole Giles

D.N. Giles was born in Nevada, and moved with her parents to a number of cities in and around the Midwest, mostly staying in Utah, Nevada, Arizona, and snatches of time in Texas. Her future aspirations include adding a tropical island to her growing list of locations. For now, she plans to travel to as many tropical locations as possible, scouting for her future home in paradise.

Nichole Giles’ early career plans included become a megastar actress or a rock star, but she decided instead to have a family and then become a writer, in that order. Writing is her passion, but she also loves to spend time with her family, travel, drive in the rain with the convertible top down, and play music at full volume so she can sing along. She is co-author of Mormon Mishaps and Mischief, an anthology of humorous anecdotes, which was released December 2009. Some of her other work has been published in Highlights for Children, The Friend, and Boys’ Quest.

Nicole’s newest book “The Sharp Edge of a Knife” falls into the newest genre: Reality Fiction.

Donna: Welcome Nichole. It was great to meet you at the ANWA Writers Conference on February 27th 2010. I understand your book “The Sharp Edge of a Knife is based on a true story. How did you find out about it?

Nicole: This is actually a family story. The main character is my grandpa. I remember hearing during my childhood that he’d been kidnapped in the past. Actually, he was kidnapped or held hostage three times total in his life, which makes the story all that much more interesting to me.

Donna: What made you want to write the story?

Nicole: After my grandpa died, I was reading his life history and this particular incident really stood out to me. I decided to write it as an article at first, but there was so much information, and so much research involved when it came to finding the facts that it turned into a book.

Donna: Did it require a lot of research?

Nicole: Yes, it did. I started out with a handful of newspaper articles and about two pages worth of journal accounts from my grandpa, and somewhere in the mix there was a court subpoena. From there I called the police departments involved, but because the case was so old—fifty years—they referred me to the national archives in Denver. From there, I was able to get someone to help me track down the case and all the evidence and court documents. Interestingly, the knife used in the kidnapping, as well of some of the other evidence, is still there, and will remain there forever. Or at least, that’s what I’m told.

Donna: That’s a lot of research. Did you have to do anything else?

Nicole: No, I didn’t have to, but I felt a need to so I actually did some more digging and tracked down one of the kidnappers. I wrote him a letter, asking him about the situation, and not really expecting a response. So, I was completely shocked when a week later this guy called me and talked to me on the phone for about an hour, telling me his side of things. He was very remorseful and teary. Very apologetic. It was probably the most profound conversation I’ve ever had.

Donna: Wow! That is amazing. How long did it take you to actually write this book?

Nicole: It was actually a fairly long process all things considered. From beginning to end, it took me almost three years to get from the inception of the idea to publication. And there was a lot that happened in between, including me working on two other major projects at the same time. All in all, though, I’m thrilled with how it turned out.

Donna: Where can we learn more about The Sharp Edge of a Knife?

Nicole: You can read the first chapter at my website. My author bio is also there, with a few interesting facts pertaining to the story.

Donna: And where can this book be purchased?

Nicole: Right now it’s definitely available on Amazon, and I’m told it will be in stores sometime in the next few weeks, if not already. My official book launch promotion is scheduled for March 27th from 1-3:oo pm at Eborn books in the Provo Towne Center mall in Provo Utah. It’s open to the public, and going to be lots of fun.

Donna: That’s exciting. Thanks for visiting with me today.

Interview with Historical author, Laurie Alice Eakes

Historical Hussies: So, tell us a little about yourself. When did you start to write and how long did it take you get published?

One of these days, I'll come up with a good answer for this. It's a bit complex. I wrote my first novel when I was knee high to a gnome, but I didn't do anything with it. I loved writing and played around a lot, but I went to college, worked, went to some more college, worked, moved a gazillion times, got addicted to research... But the stories were always there. I sold three novels to small presses and they got good reviews, but then I got my MA in writing, got an agent, and finally sold to a traditional publisher. Altogether, 19 years passed between when I wrote my first novel and when I sold my first novel to a traditional publisher, but in actual writing years, I'd say probably I wrote for six years if I put all the fits and starts together.

H.H: How did you break into publishing?

I broke into publishing the first time, the small press route, by happenstance. A friend told me about a publisher looking for novels with characters with disabilities. My first novel, which had been sitting around for years, fit the bill, so I dusted it off and sent it in. They contracted it. RT gave it a **** review, but I made about $200.00 on it and it didn't seem worth the time or effort. I did sell two more to small presses, then gave up. The next time, which was five years later, I got the nastiest rejection I'd ever heard of anyone getting and was going to give up altogether. I had a good corporate job and had little time to write. But my agent encouraged me to try one more project. That sold to Avalon and ended up winning the National readers Choice Award for Best Regency. It took me two years to sell a second one, but now I've sold seven books in five months—four to Avalon and three more to Barbour Books, who bought my second one.

H.H: What inspired you to write romance?

You know, I love other genres and read most of them, esp. mysteries. But nothing makes my soul sing like romance. I believe in everlasting love and think that we're meant to be in pairs. Look at Noah's Ark. Pairs. O everything. I played matchmaker with friends in school and was pretty successful. What better way to play matchmaker but in books, where I can guarantee the outcome?

H.H: What genre or sub-genre do you write? Why did you choose this genre?

I write sweet historicals and inspirational historicals. So far, all my contracted books are in the 19th century in America or England. Why these subgenres? I love a message of hope and belongingness; forgiveness and acceptance getting across to people without preaching. The inspirationals lend to these messages more strongly than secular books, but I prefer to write the sweet because I'm just more comfortable writing sweet and they don't' conflict with my Christian message in the inspirationals.

H.H: What difficulties does writing this genre present?

Lots of don'ts in both the sweet and the inspirationals. I have to be extra careful that I offend no one, so feel a little constrained at times. At the same time, I love the challenge of getting the reader to feel the pull between the hero and heroine, that tension of attraction, without being overt in what I say.

H.H: Tell us about your other works, books, stories, etc.

I have these three books coming out with Barbour, which will be books 2-4 for them. The first one, Better than Gold, is a mystery romance set in Iowa in the 18770s. People are hunting for lost gold said to be hidden in this small town. It's re-released in a compilation with two other books under the title Wild Prairie Roses.

My next book with Avalon is scheduled for a June 2010 release, where my heroine is a doctor and the hero was a doctor blinded in an accidental shooting and how both live through tragedy and rebuild their lives and careers. The Avalon series is all about career women in the 1890s—doctor, lawyer, merchant (ship captain) chef.

H.H: What are you working on now?

I am working on the second book in the New Jersey Historical Series for Heartsong Presents by Barbour books. The first one was set in 1809 and centered around the glass industry in NJ and will be out around Christmas. This one is in the north and takes place in 1858. The third in the series will take place in Cape May in the 1890s. But before I write the third one, I have to write the second book for my new Avalon series. This is about a female lawyer in the 1890s.

H.H: That sounds very unusual. How do you write? Are you a pantser or a plotter? Is it your characters or your plot that influences you the most?

I am a plotter. Once I learned to plot ahead of time, I started not only finish manuscripts, but selling them. My stories have definite plot, even a little suspense, but they are definitely focused on the characters.

H.H: I love those character-driven stories! How do you choose your characters' names?

I use all sorts of resources. One thing I try to do is use surnames from the state or county in which the story takes place. Then I check popular names at the time of the story for the right names. Then I go to meanings of the names. It's quite a process and takes me a while to decide.

H.H: Do you write with music playing? If so, is the music likely to be songs with lyrics or only instrumentals?

Classical music. I have satellite radio so the classical station is on all day. Lyrics totally distract me

H.H: What has surprised you about being a published author?

How it kind of freaks people out. I live near Washington, DC, where it's what do you do, not who are you in greeting. When I say author, people kind of get quiet. You can hear their brains clicking—in what box do we put a writer? It's kind of amusing. I didn't know it would be a conversation-stopper as much as it's a conversation starter.

H.H: What do you like to do when you aren't writing?

Watch old movies, especially Bogart and either of the Hepburns. I'm also into Foyle's War right now. I like music of all kinds, especially live, and theater. Hiking is great, but I don't get enough of it in these days.

H.H: What one thing do you like most about writing? Least?

I like the independence, having a job I can do whenever I like. I don't like the insecurity of it, the wondering when or if the next contract will come.

H.H: What was the most unusual way you came up with a story idea? What made you to think, ‘hey, I could make that into a story?’

Probably the inspiration for my next Avalon book, but if I tell, it gives away the crucial surprise in the story. So maybe the Iowa historical series I wrote with two other authors. The little bit about lost Civil War gold no one ever found. Well, what if a lot of people seek it and someone actually finds it?

H.H: If you could spend an hour talking to anyone from any time in history, who would it be? And Why?

This is hard to answer. Right now, I'm thinking maybe John Fielding of Bow Street. Why? Because he was blinded, yet still did his job and did it amazingly well, at a time when blind people were generally hidden away or left to beg and definitely not given meaningful work to do.

H.H: I love the Bow Street Story! How do you do research for your books? What’s the most interesting bit of research you’ve come across?

I research in libraries and on site and on-line. I've had several graduate hours in how to research, so am pretty good at it, forming a search-string and all that. I love original documents when I can find them, so Google Books is a blessing for the public domain stuff. Same with Gutenberg. I've also gotten some great books from InterLibrary Loan, and never forget Microfilm. Lots of old stuff on Microfilm, fiche, and now on CD.

Most interesting? Probably all the work I did on midwives when working on my master's in history. They were interesting women in Early Modern Europe and North America, much more influential than other women generally were. I can go on for hours about midwives.

H.H: What advice would you give aspiring writers today?

Write. Finish. Rewrite. Finish. Submit. Write more. If the fire, the call, is inside you, you won't give up until you reach your goal.

H.H: Thank you for the Interview.

Thank you for having me here today. Please come visit my blog, where I am posting a free read at fairly regular intervals. This is a story I wrote, but which I never intend to sell, so am giving it away to my readers for fun and enjoyment.

How do you know when to submit your writing?

How do you know then your book, short story or article is ready for submission???

That's the million-dollar question. And I get asked that often. It's probably different for everyone. I have three critique partners I really trust, so when I'm finished with the rough draft, and another couple of passes doing my own edits, I give it to them and let them critique it. While they have it, I totally step away and work on something else. Or read books by other authors. Or read “how to write” books, or take classes on writing. Then when they give me their comments, I read through them, implement the ones I agree with (not always all of them, but usually if there is something I disagree with, but they all said it, I take a hard look at it) and then I do a final read-through. Or two. Then I send it in. Although, often after I take a class, I get it back out and rework it.

I took this amazing class by Margie Lawson called "Deep Editing" that one of my critique partners recommended, and it's changed the way I edit. I wonder how much the quality will change between “The Stranger She Married,” which was not done using the Deep Edits system, and my novella, “Troubled Hearts” which is coming out next April. I’m just finishing edits on my current book, “The Guise of a Gentleman,” using that system, so I know it will be done as soon as I've finished with that system.

The trick is to not edit the life out of your work, otherwise you lose your personal author's "voice" and if you're not careful, letting a dozen critique partners have at it will kill your "voice" too. So find a few really good critique partners who give you valuable feedback without trying to change your voice.

In the beginning, I submitted my work to lots of contests - especially ones that offered in-depth critiques rather than just a score. Many of the judge's comments were extremely helpful as I was newly learning the craft of writing and they have helped me learn much I wouldn't have otherwise. Some of the judge's comments also didn't have a leg to stand on, so deciding what is valid and what isn't is a challenge, sometimes.

I have this fantasy that I've edited so much that it bears little resemblance to the original work. I still haven't sold it, but I keep trying. Recently, I spent a lot of time going over it using that edits system and putting back in the "voice" that I'd let fade due to over-editing. Then I started sending it out again. I'm trying to get an agent for it, but I've decided that if none of the four agents who have it now take it, I'm just going to submit it to my current publisher and write another one to use to break into the big time. I'm just sorta sick of it.

My editor has had to tell me a few times to that she loves that I'm a perfectionist, but I need to "cut the apron strings" so I clearly don't have that all figured out either. You just need to listen to your heart. And if it's beating too fast, go with your gut feeling.

Good luck figuring that one out!

Donna

Scared Witless

Maybe every author goes through this. Maybe I'm not the only one freaking out here. But if other authors ever felt the way I do, they've survived it with better grace that I am.

Tomorrow my first novel, The Stranger She Married, will be released in ebook. I'm excited. I'm terrified. I can hardly breathe.

At long last, a dream I've secretly nurtured since 7th grade is coming to fruition. I can't wait to see my name on the cover of a book. I've finally done it. All those critiques by contest judges and critique partners, all the disappointments and frustrations are finally about to be worth it.

And yet, what if no one buys it? And worse, what if no one LIKES it?

I've read some awful books that didn't deserve to be in print. I've read a bunch of mediocre books that I forgot about a few days later. The thought of being placed in one of those categories makes me break out into a cold sweat. But when I read other books by some of my favorite authors, I KNOW I'm not that good and I wonder what made me think I could ever write? And do I really want to make myself that open and vulnerable by publishing what I write? Will people see too much into my soul? Will they think nothing is there?

Oh, what in the world was I thinking?

Bodice rippers - is anyone that clueless?

I was recently directed to the following site, http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25191970/
which is basically a pitch for a new Danielle Steele novel. In the article, is a poll for people to say whether or not they read romance novels. Yet the question was so infuriating that I'm seeing red. The question was:

“Do you read 'bodice rippers?' and your choices are yes, no, sometimes.

Bodice rippers? Are you kidding me? Who calls them that anymore? Bodice rippers was a short-lived term that surfaced around the 1980's when a lot of historical romances first began to have fairly detailed love scenes.

Romances novels have evolved, and in my humble opinion, improved.

Today, romance novels encompass the entire spectrum. There is fantasy, sci fi, mystery, suspense, adventure, historical, and inspirational (to name a few), all within the umbrella category, or genre, of Romance. Furthermore, most romances are NOT bodice rippers. They range from sweet to erotic, and there are a number of levels in between. In addition, the inspirational genre, also called Christian fiction, is fast becoming the best selling genre of romance. This type of romance is sweet, meaning no sex. Certainly no bodice ripping.
Women who respond 'no' to this survey are probably saying that they don't read 'bodice rippers,' which is probably not an accurate answer to the real question which should be 'do you read romance novels?'

If they reply 'yes' I have no doubt that the author of this poorly researched and poorly worded survey question will proudly proclaim that women love ‘bodice rippers’ and condemn us as a group for being immoral, or something equally ridiculous. If they say 'sometimes' their reply goes into a third answer, which, really splits up the yes answers which will be used to 'prove' the author's theory that no one reads romance any more. All false conclusions make me grind my teeth.

Why do people keep bashing romances? They are the best selling genre on the market. Romance authors are intelligent, talented people, most of whom have degrees and who spend countless hours researching for each of their books. They work longer and harder than most other professionals, and their pay ranges from ‘no where enough to compensate me for my sweat and tears,’ to phenomenal.

No one writes romances because they have nothing to do. Or because they think they’ll get rich next month. They do it because sometime inside drives them do to it. And they do it to help other people escape the pressures of life; have an adventure and fall in love, without leaving their home.

Do you read romances?

The perfect solution?

As I was wishing that I could afford to hire a housekeeper to help with the many things I can’t seem to ever get done fast enough, I’ve decided that I need a wife!

I need someone who will cook, clean, shop, pay bills, do dishes and laundry. It would be nice have some help with the children, and especially drive them where they need to be. I’ll just play Mommy when it’s convenient, help them with their homework and tuck them in bed and night. Then I’ll spend the rest of my time working and writing. Think of all the novels I could write if I could do it full time! Maybe I could be a best-selling author. Hey, it could happen.

In return for my housewife’s hard work, I’ll give her a home, food, pay for her medical and dental bills, tell her she’s beautiful, mention that I appreciate everything she does, and take her out once or twice a month. Every once in a while, I’ll let her buy herself a new outfit or something, too. I’d never miss her birthday, or our anniversary, or Valentine’s day. Of course, my orientation I'm straight, so it would have to be a purely platonic relationship. And I’d have to make sure she understands that my husband is strictly off-limits.

Do you think it would be bigamy to have a husband and a wife?

Or a fairy godmother would work nicely, too.

The Call

Authors often talk about when they got "the call", meaning the phone call either from an agent or editor that says "I’d like to offer you a contract on your book." Like me, these authors had spent years writing, attending workshops and conferences, reading, re-writing, editing, submitting to contests and critique partners, and then starting the process all over again until finally they get the nerve to submit to agents and editors, only to be rejected until they had enough rejection letters to wallpaper a small room. Then when the call came, they would speak of how they’d squealed, or tried to sound professional when they only wanted to scream in joy. They would try to relay to their rapt listeners the sweet euphoria of learning that someone thinks their passion is a true, marketable skill.

I had tasted a bit of that exhilaration each time I won a writing contest, and I looked forward to the day I’d get my own call. I wondered if I’d scream and jump up and down, or try to behave with dignity, and I hoped my time would come soon.

Magical moments in life that others speak of never seem to happen that way for me. The marriage proposal made by the man who is now husband certainly wasn’t the kind that I’d always anticipated. It was completely unexpected and made in a very casual, off-handed way. In fact, it was so casual that I thought for certain that he was kidding.

He wasn’t.

Other major events in my life seemed to happen in much the same way. The call was just another of them. My call wasn’t a call, it was an e-mail. And I had just had minor surgery on that Monday, and had a more difficult recovery than I’d anticipated. By Friday night, I hadn’t even turned on my computer. My husband brought my laptop to my bed and asked if I wanted to check my e-mail, probably in an attempt to cheer me. Almost lost among the over 100 e-mail messages was one from two days prior from the editor of a press I’d submitted to. She said she’d like to offer me a contract on my manuscript. I stared, re-read it, and then told my husband that they wanted to offer me a contract. He blinked and asked what that meant, thinking that I’d merely won another contest or something. It took some doing to convince him that I had basically sold my first book. I’m sure if I had been more excited about it, he would have caught on sooner.

The times I’d won writing contests, I’d squealed and jumped up and down until I’d managed to frighten my teenagers. But instead, I lay there quietly, bleary-eyed, and told him in an uncharacteristically subdued voice that I was about to join the ranks of the published authors. After 20 years of marriage, I realize that even though the marriage proposal was something of a disappointment, the man who made it certainly was not. Neither has life with him been.

I am equally certain that my writing career will be satisfying despite its rather quiet entrance into my life.The title of my first published book is The Stranger She Married which is being published by the Wild Rose Press. I don’t have release date yet, but I’ve finished galleys, I have a book cover, and the book is in production.

The best things in life may not always have the grandest entrances. I hope writing as a career is one of them.