Hi Annie, it's a pleasure to have you here today and to be a part of your ongoing tour. Really looking forward to the interview and getting to know you better! Also, I just had to say how much I love your book cover - fabulous!
Okay, let's get started... :)
1) When and why did you decide you wanted to be a published author?
That’s a really good question. I don’t think it was conscious decision until I finished my first book and had a stranger critique it. The feedback was so phenomenal that it gave me enough courage to submit it to a contest. I came in second place and the offers came in. The rest is history. LOL
2) What is the best and worse thing you have learned from an editor/agent?
The best thing I learned was from my first editor, and that was to believe in myself. The worst was from a scatter of agents who state I write very well but I don’t create stories for mainstream publishing. It’s not good enough to write well. You have to be capable of creating stories that will sell to the masses.
3) Favourite author/s?
I have Jim Butcher and Nalini Singh on auto buy. I’ve recently picked up some books by Sharon Shinn. Old authors who I like to reread are Larry Niven and Robert Jordan.
4) What is your typical day?
On my days off work, I send the kids to school then write/edit/critique from 8 AM until 2:30 PM. I put my mom/wife hat back on until bedtime at 8:30 then write/edit until 10 PM. I do work as a nurse twice a week on average, sometimes more if they need help.
5) Share your blurb or short excerpt from your latest release with us
Some things are best to forget. But what if the past won't be forgotten?
Born in China of a pure shifter bloodline, Katrina was raised with only one purpose--to breed. Abused by her alpha, she runs away to America as soon as she can. With a new pack and her true mate, she thinks the nightmare is behind her, but when she is abducted on the streets of Chinatown, Katrina must face her past and fight for her freedom.
It took Tyler a year to earn Katrina's love, another to build her confidence and pride, and only a moment to lose her. Broken-hearted, Tyler won't give up his search for Katrina.
But he never trained as a warrior like the other shifters. What chance does a real estate agent have in the fight for his mate?
WARNING: Explicit shifter sex, heartbroken torment, and an unstoppable shifter in love.
6) Who would you cast to play your hero & heroine in a movie?
Mat Damon with red, curly hair and Lucy Liu.
7) Did you plan this book? Or write it as it came?
I’m a huge plotter. All my books are planned with a little touch of pantsing. If an idea strikes me while writing, I’m will to follow it and leave my plot behind. Then I just plot again.
8) What surprised you the most when you became a published?
How much work goes into creating a quality book. There are many rounds of edits by different individuals, each with their own opinions on how to make the story better. Quite overwhelming for the first time.
9) Do you have a dedicated writing space? What does it look like?
I’m on the go often. Be it for my kids’ events or working my day job, so my head is my writing space. I carry a notepad for when I don’t have a computer handy and write whenever I have a moment. This is probably why I need to be a plotter so I can continue where I left off at a drop of a few minutes of freedom.
10) What’s next for you?
I am launching a new series this fall through Carina Press called Confessions of a Succubus and there will also be another Vanguards release in August titled The Sigma. J
Finish with details of where readers can find you – website, Facebook, Twitter etc
@annienicholas
www.annienicholas.blogspot.com
Excerpt
The Asian stranger grabbed Katrina’s arm and yanked her into his embrace.
“Hey!” It took every ounce of Tyler’s control to keep his beast from busting out on the tourist filled streets of China Town. He shoved the stranger from behind, knocking Katrina from his arms.
She stumbled and landed hard on the ground. Tears stained her cheeks. The cold wind blew strands of long, black hair across her face.
“Get your hands off her.” He bent to help her, but the stranger blocked him. Straightening, Tyler glared at Katrina’s assailant and met a cold, dark stare.
His beast rose closer to the surface and clouded his thoughts. She belonged to him and this male thought to block his way. The only solution was to tear this asshole limb from limb. “Get out of my way.” He spoke each word separately and clearly to get his point across.
“This is none of your concern.” The stranger spoke with a thick accent like Katrina’s.
“You’re on Vasi territory. Anything that happens here is my concern. And she belongs to me.” Tyler pointed to Katrina, then back to himself.
“Chinatown is not Vasi territory. Never has been and never will be. And this female mated me before she ran away.” Crossing his arms, the stranger planted himself in front of Tyler. “She still belongs to me and has never been yours to take.”
Tyler’s jaw hung as if on broken hinges. He shot her a questioning look, but she stared at the ground, not meeting his gaze. Katrina hated to speak about her past. Now, he knew why.
She wiped her face, huddled on the ground, and didn’t deny a thing.
Every bit of joy in his life lay with Katrina, but truth’s claws dug into his heart. He didn’t know which hurt more, the lies or the way she hunched on the ground, submitting to this stranger like an omega all over again.
Mother, daughter, wife are some of the hats she happily wears while trudging after her cubs through the hills and dales. The four seasons an inspiration and muse.
Website: www.annienicholas.com
Blog: www.annienicholas.blogspot.com
Group Blog: www.paranormalromantics.blogspot.com
Twitter: @annienicholas
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Annie-Nicholas/162716537103705
Thanks for visiting, Annie!
Annie will be giving away an autographed copy of each of the first three Vanguards books and a $10 gift card to either Amazon or Barnes and Noble) as well as a copy of one of the books in her backlist to one commenter at EVERY stop. Follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning. The tour dates can be found here:http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2011/12/virtual-book-tour-omegas-in-love.html.
A great interview thank you. I liked the point you made about how being a plotter you can carry on where you left off, where ever you may be.
ReplyDeletemarypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
Thank you for hosting Annie today.
ReplyDeleteI think the story plot sounds awesome. I have really enjoyed following your tour. I hope this is only the first in a series.
ReplyDeleteThanks for hosting me!
ReplyDeleteGreat interview. I liked the view of your typical day and how you can change hats at specific times. This book sounds amazing. Can't wait to read it. Thanks for the blog tour.
ReplyDeleteJoanne B
e.balinski(at)att(dot)net
I can't wait to read this. You definitely have a very busy life, and lots of different roles to play. Congrats on the release, it does sound great.
ReplyDeleteJune
manning_j2004 at yahoo dot com
Hi Annie. I like Jim Butcher, too. I don't understand why The Dresden Files did not last as a TV series (especially when there is so much other crap on TV!). But, of course, I also can't fathom why they cancelled Firefly too!
ReplyDeleteI wonder how many writers get started through contests like you did?
catherinelee100 at gmail dot com
Wonderful interview, and good luck with the tour. Deb P
ReplyDeleter.d1@myfairpoint.net
Hi Annie, I'm enjoying following along on the tour. That
ReplyDeletewas a great interview, thanks for sharing. I'd really like to read this series.
luvfuzzzeeefaces at yahoo dot com
June! You're yesterday's winner. I'll be sending you a note.
ReplyDelete