I’m excited to have another guest today! Please welcome paranormal author, Nicki Markus. She’s talking about her new release, Dragon’s Heart, as well as her other works so sit back, relax, and enjoy. Also, Nicki is giving away a copy of Dragon’s Heart so be sure and leave a comment to be entered!
When did you know you wanted to be a writer? And how did you get your start?
I’ve loved books and languages since I was a child and always said I wanted to write them myself. For years it was just a vague dream, but then, late last year, I left my job under difficult circumstances and decided it was time to get my priorities straight. What I wanted was to write, so I needed to give it a shot.
My break came thanks to my writer friend Julie. I had written a short story that I intended to submit to a call for anthology submissions. I got Julie to beta it for me and she suggested I give the anthology a miss and send it to one of her publishers. I submitted it to Wicked Nights and was signing a contract two hours later. Things have grown from there….
Where do you find your inspiration?
I read a lot and often when I finish a book I think of other ways the author could have done things. This usually gives me a basis or a starting point if you like. I am always thinking of other possibilities. Other times, the stories just seem to come to me in bed at night – always at that point just before you drift off to sleep. I have a rather overactive imagination at times!
What is the one writer’s tool you can’t live without?
My laptop and an internet connection.
How many words/pages do you do in a day/week/month? And how do you keep yourself motivated to do them?
Between October 2010 and February 2011, I was writing most days and managing an average of 1000 words a day. But in March 2011, I started back in a day job (writing’s not going to pay the bills on its own at this stage) and now I am struggling more to find the time and probably only average 1000 words a week now. It’s hard to keep motivated when it feels like just something else you have to squeeze into an already busy day, but I just remind myself that I’ve been given this wonderful opportunity to be a published author and that I shouldn’t squander it. I can’t wait till Easter – 5 days off in which to try and finish my current WIP.
Whose work has influenced you the most?
That’s a hard question to answer as I love such a range of very different authors. I seem to be writing mainly in the paranormal genre at present though, so I’d say key influences would be: Chelsea Quinn Yarbro and Charlaine Harris.
One of your recent releases was the novella, DRAGON’S HEART. Where did you get the idea for that?
That was definitely a pre-sleep one. It started with this girl popping into my head. She was training to be an enchantress, but failing miserably. I began to wonder what event could turn everything around for her. From there the idea of the Dragon was formed and then the link to Irish Celtic Mythology. The next day I got up and just started typing away.
Tell us a little about the book. How about a blurb?
“All her life, Laoise has longed for adventure and daydreamed her days away. But the time for dreaming is past. Deep in the bowels of the earth a dragon wakes and the fate of her people and the entire world now rests in Laoise’s hands. Can she and her guide, Bearach, complete their quest to the Underworld in time or will her first real adventure also be her last?”
Do you plan to write any more fantasy novellas?
Possibly. Several people have assumed DRAGON’S HEART is the first of a series, which came as a surprise to me since I hadn’t planned it that way. At present I am working on a thriller novella and then I have an idea for another paranormal piece…after that who knows where my ideas will take me!
You have other works published. Tell us a little about those.
Sure. My first release was a paranormal thriller short story called AWAKEN TO THE NIGHT and at present I have a paranormal series being released. TIME KEEPERS is a series of four short story length parts that gradually tell the story with a new part released each month. Parts 1 & 2 are already out and parts 3 & 4 will follow in May and June respectively. I also just signed a contract with Silver Publishing for my paranormal romance DAY-WALKER, which is scheduled for release in September.
If you weren’t a writer, what would you be?
A musical theatre singer. I love singing and adore musicals. But I can’t dance, so that put pay to that dream!
I also have qualifications in translation and love languages – so translation might be a good alternative for me!
What’s your favorite genre to read? What’s your favorite genre to write?
To read: Paranormal and Literary Fiction are top of my list, though I’ll pretty much read anything that takes my fancy except for Chick Lit and Crime.
To write: I definitely lean to the paranormal, though I also love history and would love to do something in an historic setting in the future – maybe historic vampire fiction will be the way to go!
Where can we find you online?
Readers can find out more about me and my writing at my website/blog: http://www.nickijmarkus.com. I am also on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/NickiJMarkus.
Buy links:
OmniLit ~ Amazon ~ Smashwords ~ All Romance EBooks ~ Bookstrand
1 Place for Romance ~ Barnes and Noble
Other books by Nicki:
Good interview and I liked the part where the author tells us about her journey from writing to getting published and how difficult it is to squeeze everything into a life that has a job and family going on in between.
Thanks for stopping by, Patti!
Wonderful interview, ladies. Thanks for introducing me to Nikki.
It is nice to know finding time to write is a challenge not only to me but to other authors. I look forward to reading your new book Nikki. Marian
I loved your publishing story. I read historical romance,romance suspense,fantasy, almost everything but YA. I too,have had story ideas or characters pop in my head in the wee morning hours or that relaxed time just before going to sleep.Right on about laptop and internet.I can write by hand,but can’t read half of the words later.
Many thanks for the comments everyone. Yes, life is pretty hectic…hopefully I can continue to squeeze everything in!