📖 Nicole J Merchant 📖
A Very Grim Fairytale: The Diary of a Savior
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2ytAiOg
The Green Eyes of Jealousy: A Short Story
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2gg3lKl
Hell Bound: Book One of The Guardians Eyes
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2gfxXMb
Pandora’s Promise: Book Two of The Guardians Eyes
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2fX8Hx3
All books available in Kindle Unlimited
About Nicole:
Nicole was born in Vancouver, Washington, and is the mother
of three amazing boys, and married to the love of her life. She has enjoyed
writing since she was young, dabbling with poems and other short pieces for
many years of her life.
Inspiration for her first novel hit her when a couple of her close friends suggested she take her writing further. She started her first full-length novel after that.
Nicole lets her imagination run wild, and her characters run the show.
She has never grown out of believing in fairy tales or happily ever afters, and to this day, hopes to meet a fairy one day—if not that, at least a vampire. She believes that all dreams can come true. If you believe hard enough, nothing is impossible. Dreams are just realities not yet started, and with hard work, passion, and a never give up attitude, anything is possible.
Inspiration for her first novel hit her when a couple of her close friends suggested she take her writing further. She started her first full-length novel after that.
Nicole lets her imagination run wild, and her characters run the show.
She has never grown out of believing in fairy tales or happily ever afters, and to this day, hopes to meet a fairy one day—if not that, at least a vampire. She believes that all dreams can come true. If you believe hard enough, nothing is impossible. Dreams are just realities not yet started, and with hard work, passion, and a never give up attitude, anything is possible.
Connect with Nicole:
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/nicolesnuthouse/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NMerchant_auth
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/nicolejmerchant/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15597927.Nicole_J_Merchant
Nicole's Author Interview
Tell us a little about yourself and your
background?
Nicole-
I am a mother, a wife, a writer, a teacher, an
editor, and most days, I just like being around my family. I don’t lead an
exciting life. I have been a stay-at-home mom for the past fourteen years and
have been homeschooling my youngest for the past seven. That’s pretty much me.
I write, I teach, and I veg out with books and shows. Not too exciting.
Which writers inspire you?
Nicole-
All of them. Honestly, I don’t think there is
just one author that has inspired me. I love a lot of genres and a lot of authors.
If I could be half as good as them I would be happy.
What are you currently working on?
Nicole-
The third book of my series, The Guardians Eyes.
I am about 2/3rds of the way done right now with the first draft and hoping to
have it done and edited by the end of the year.
Which actor/actress would you like to see
playing the lead character from your most recent book?
Nicole-
I was asked this question in another interview
and honestly just picked someone random. I don’t know. I think for that I’d have
to actually meet the ones wanting to.
When did you decide to become a writer?
Nicole-
I don’t think I ever just decided. It wasn’t
like one day I woke up and said, “I want to be a writer!” I’ve always liked
making things up. I’ve always been the girl that got lost in her imagination
and could see it as real. My mother still brings up all the times she had to
call my name so many times because I would be lost in my own world. As for the
writing part, I enjoyed writing poems and things in high school. For a long
time after that, I worked full time and read a lot but never sat down to just
write. It wasn’t until I was in my thirties that I started that, but even then, I just shared stories with friends.
Do you write on a typewriter, computer, dictate, or longhand?
Nicole-
I write on a laptop. I’ll take notes longhand
but after a few minutes, my hand starts cramping up. The laptop is just an
easier and faster way for me to get my ideas out.
Do you work to an outline or plot or do you
prefer to just see where an idea takes you?
Nicole-
Honestly, I usually start off with a plot. I’ll
write down notes of where I want the story to go or what I want to include, but
in the end, none of that matters. The characters take over and they end up
writing the story. I have been surprised more than not of the events that have
taken place in my books. I just wrote one yesterday in fact. I had an idea how
I wanted this series to end, what I wanted to include, but then something was
written that I didn’t even plan or think of. I think I have another me inside
that takes over when I am writing and the physical me just gets to enjoy the
ride and do all the work.
Do you read much and if so, who are your
favorite authors?
Nicole-
I do. I try to read every night before bed. It
doesn’t always happen. We have a television—like most people in modern
times—and sometimes what’s on there just sucks me in, or I am just too tired to
read.
As for favorite authors, there are so many. I
did just purchase twelve Piers Anthony books recently, and I love Nora Roberts,
VC Andrews, Sandra Brown, and Jeanine Frost. As for having one favorite, I
don’t. Each one is different, each story a whole new experience, I can’t just
pick one. Especially after knowing what it takes to write these books.
How do you relax?
Nicole-
Obviously reading, but I also like to just
watch movies or television. I do some crocheting once in a while, but I get
more frustrated with that because I’m still a beginner. I can make a blanket
and baby clothes, and have even made a few animals, but it’s all basic
stitches, nothing fancy or very complicated.
What is your favorite book and why?
Nicole-
I don’t have one. I know that might sound
horrible as a writer myself, but I honestly can not pinpoint one book that
would be my favorite. I am not one that likes to read something over and over
again. I’ll read it, enjoy it, and then move on. There are so many books I want
to read, sticking to just one over and over again would waste my time on all
the new ones I could be enjoying.
What is your favorite quote?
Nicole-
A good friend will be trying to bail you out. A
best friend will be in the cell next to you saying, “Damn, that was fun.” - I
believe it was Groucho Marx, but I could be wrong.
What is your favorite movie and why?
Nicole-
The Neverending Story. Seriously, it has been
my favorite movie since I was eleven. Why? Well, if you’ve seen it, you will
know why. A kid reads a book, gets to have the experience himself and know that
it is real… Yeah, I should have realized then what I wanted to do with my life.
Which famous person, living or dead would you
like to meet and why?
Nicole-
Johnny Depp, and not just because he’s my
celebrity crush and has been since I was thirteen. He can be so many
characters, so many personalities, and pull them all off remarkably.
What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
Nicole-
That would be the same advice I’ve given on
other interviews, do not listen to everything the internet has to say. There
are people out there that think they know what they are talking about because
it is what they believe. It doesn’t have to be what you believe. There are too
many don’ts in this line of creativity, don’t do this and don’t do that… Why
not? Why can’t we do that? Is it because it is something real or because
someone said it and now everyone is going with it. What works for some, might
not work for you. Be your own person. Create what you want to create, not what
others want. In the end, it will be you that has to live with that work. It
will be your name on it, not theirs. Own it and love it.
Where can you see yourself in 5 years’ time?
Nicole-
Hopefully still writing! In five years, I’ll be
done homeschooling my youngest and will hopefully be able to focus all my
energy on writing. I hope to be known and loved by people. I like making stuff
up, I enjoy seeing others enjoy my stories, I love to share. I hope to still be
doing that.
If you had a superpower, what would it be?
Nicole-
Immortality. I can live without flying or super
strength or even laser eyes. I just want to live forever… oh, and be able to
give others immortality as well so I can keep my friends and family with me
always.
What secret talents do you have?
Nicole-
If I told you it wouldn’t be a secret, now would
it? I don’t think I have one, honestly, at least not one that I have found
myself. So, if I have a secret talent, I haven’t figured out the secret to
unlocking it yet.
Where is one place you
want to visit that you haven't been before?
Nicole-
Greece. That might be obvious with what I write
about, but it is true. Greek mythology has always been a fascination of mine.
It’s confusing, the stories are never the same, or there are so many different
ones out there that you never know what ones are true or not, but the depths of
the imagination that the people had to make them up if they are not is just
incredible. Incredible enough to stand the test of time and still be popular
today. I’d like to visit the old temples, statues, and other things that still
stand today. The history of it is just amazing.
What is something you want to accomplish before
you die?
Nicole-
Pass. Can I pass on this one? I really don’t
know. I don’t like to think about dying or accomplishing something before I do.
I think my life itself is an accomplishment. Raising three children to be
wonderful men is a great accomplishment. Being happily married and still strong
after almost fifteen years is an accomplishment. I don’t have just one thing I
want to accomplish. I want to be remembered, but that isn’t an accomplishment,
that is just hopefully just me being me and people loving me.
What does your writing process look like?
Nicole-
Um, I sit with a laptop on my lap and just
write. I stare at the screen a lot and reread what I’ve written if I am stuck,
but other than that, I guess I just look like I am playing on my computer all
day.
What do you consider to be your best
accomplishment?
Nicole-
I think I already answered this with the last
question about accomplishment. At least, those would be what I consider my
greatest accomplishments. My children, my marriage, life… None of it is easy,
and there are always road blocks. Being happy in a world full of chaos, that is
my accomplishment.
What is your least favorite part of the
publishing / writing process?
Nicole-
The marketing! Oh boy, I dread that. I have to
sell myself it feels and not my books. I just want to write. I just want to
make up stories and see others enjoy them. I don’t want to figure out new ways
to get the word out there about my books. I suck at that. I need to hire a PA
that will work for free books. Yep, that is what I need to do. Then all will be
right in my world.
Is there a certain type of scene that's harder
for you to write than others? Love? Action? Racy?
Nicole-
Yep, sex scenes! I have officially decided I
will never be an erotica writer or detailed romance writer. I don’t like it.
Not that I don’t have the experience… married almost 15 years. It’s just that I
start to laugh and can’t do it seriously. I bow down to the erotica writers that
can get that stuff on a screen and make it sound sexy. I, however, will stick
to the killing scenes and all that stuff. Much more my style.
Did you learn anything from writing your book
and what was it?
Nicole-
I learned that I could write a full-length novel.
It was hard, it is hard, but I can do it. I have the imagination, I have the
ability to take what is in my head and turn it into words, and I have the
passion it takes to create something out of nothing.
Name one entity that you feel supported you
outside of family members.
Nicole-
I have two… Dawn and Kim. They will always be
the ones that I give credit to, to push me to do this. They have read a lot of
my stories I made up before I wrote a novel, and they were the ones that have
supported me the whole time. I love you guys! <3
Can you share a little of your current work
with us?
Nicole-
I can, but it might change as it is still a
rough draft. It is the third book of my series, The Guardians Eyes. The two main
characters find out more secrets the gods have kept and more lies they’ve told.
The majority of the story is them separated, each doing what needs to be done
for themselves or the realms. I decided to do dual point of view instead of two
more book because of where Pandora’s Promise leaves off. If I focused on one
sister for one whole book, the next book would have to be going on at the same
time, and I didn’t want that. So, instead, it is dual POV where every other
chapter focuses on a sister and what she is doing.
Is there anything you find particularly
challenging in your writing?
Nicole-
Getting what I see in my head out on the
screen. The rough draft is always harder for me than the second time around or
third. I think that is every writer though. Once I get the basic ideas down,
though, I am like a writing machine. The ideas are there, the story is there,
now I am just perfecting it.
What book are you reading now?
Nicole-
A Spell for Chameleon by Piers Anthony. I just
started it and am only on chapter two.
What is your favorite theme/genre to write
about?
Nicole-
Fantasy and mythology.
While you were writing, did you ever feel as if
you were one of the characters?
Nicole-
Always. Doesn’t everybody? If not, then I might
have a couple screws loose. I am always the characters. I don’t think I’ve ever
written something where I’m not. It’s part of the fun of it all. You get to be
them, you feel what they feel, you cry when they cry, you laugh when they
laugh. It might just be me, but I think that is the best part. It’s like
playing with dolls all the time but in my head!
Are there any new authors that have grabbed
your interest?
Nicole-
New ones? No, not as of lately. I’ve been on a
kick about picking up some older series that I’ve wanted for a while, so I’ve
been reading those. I need to get through my stack of paperbacks so that I can
discover all the news ones out there. There are a lot I want to read, though.
Is there anything else you would like to add
that I haven’t included?
Nicole-
Fear is your enemy. Don’t be afraid of it.
Everything worth doing is going to be scary at first, even writing. Don’t let
anyone tell you that you can’t, that you are not good enough, or that you
should give up. If it is something you are passionate about, you can perfect
it. Work hard, learn from your mistakes, and don’t ignore the ones that want to
help you. We all start from nothing and strive to be something. Don’t let the
negativity of others stop you from doing what you love.
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