TBR: Welcome to TBR, Nancy. Will you share a little bit about yourself?
Nancy: Happy endings draw me every time, and that’s why I love reading and writing Romance novels. I live in a beautiful part of Scotland, brimming with ancient castles and monuments, which may explain my addiction to history, though my fledgling writing career has, so far, straddled different genres. Contemporary romances, one historical romance and some time-travel fiction for older children have been completed over the last couple of years. I like variety both in reading and writing, and as such read almost everything I can lay hands on!
TBR: Tell us about Monogamy Twist and where it's available.
Nancy: My debut novel, MONOGAMY TWIST, was published in August 2011 as a sensual Champagne Rose by The Wild Rose Press. It’s available in print and eBook formats from: The Wild Rose Press, amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, and Barnes and Noble.
TBR: Please tantalize us with a story blurb or excerpt.
Nancy: You’ll be able to tell from this excerpt I sneaked in quite a bit of that love of the historical, and a touch of mystery.
“I’m really pissed off, Luke.”
Rhia’s mood was obviously not good. After more than six months living together Luke knew the best thing to do was let her blow, listen, and then maybe…make some suitable comment.
“You’ve had no update on my researches regarding your inheritance for ages. I purposely held back till I had something concrete, but all I’ve got is still a puddle of mush!”
Her disgusted tone left Luke in no doubt of just how frustrated and exasperated she was feeling. Settled into the comfortable couch in the modest sized room they had decorated as a family den, he cradled his wine glass. Rhia strode around the room having set her glass on the nearest table when they retreated there after their dinner. Luke had sensed something was bothering her during their meal preparations but realized she wasn’t ready to tell him at that point.
After months of extensive research at Greywood Hall, Rhia had yet to make the final connection between himself and his benefactress…and that lack of success really bugged her.
From Luke’s perspective he didn’t really care what she’d uncover, although he still admitted to curiosity about it. His initial drive to use Rhia’s considerable skills for that task had dissipated. He loved that she was still so motivated to find out, but he hadn’t found parting with his own money to restore Greywood Hall a chore. For the first time ever he was feeling he had a proper home taking shape, a place he was settling into comfortably like an old shoe—
TBR: What inspired you to write about the theme?
Nancy: It developed from ancestry research I’d been doing for my own family tree. Coincidentally, I was re-reading a Charles Dickens novel, and the combination of a Dickensian bequest in a contemporary setting was just too irresistible.
TBR: Are you a plotter or pantser?
Nancy: For MONOGAMY TWIST I started off as a pantser. I only had a vague plan and everything developed as I went along. By around Chapter 3, though, I had to put pencil to ‘large paper’ and plan more–to ensure the threads of the plot were intact, none broken or lost. After that I decided I needed a bit more structure, but I don’t think I’ll ever be a true plotter.
TBR: How do you develop your characters?
Nancy: 1. I have an idea of what their general character will be. 2. I put a ‘face’ to them. 3. Further physical characteristics. 4. The rest of their personality evolves as the plot develops.
TBR: Which of your characters would you most/least like to invite to dinner, and why?
Nancy: I’d love to have Nairn from my second contracted novel with The Wild Rose Press. I don’t have a publication date for it yet but expect it sometime later in 2012. The hero just happens to be a Gerard Butler look-alike. Dinner, I’m sure, would very interesting…
TBR: While creating your books, what was one of the most surprising things you learned?
Nancy: To keep my computer files tidy, and up to date. I’ve become much better at bookmarking sites for future reference and at setting up folders for research info-just in case I want the info again. I’ve been very frustrated when I know I’ve read something useful, but can’t locate it a second time! And I adored making the book trailer for MONOGAMY TWIST, so much that I’m already making one for my second contracted contemporary.
TBR: What's next for you?
Nancy: I’m currently doing edits for my second contemporary romance for The Wild Rose Press-Champagne Rose line. It’s another sensual light-hearted romance with a little twist. My current project on the writing desk is another contemporary history mystery but very different from MONOGAMY TWIST. I’m somewhere around a quarter through, and then I plan to start on a family saga historical, based loosely on a black sheep in my family!
TBR: Any other published works?
Nancy: My novel for children is at a contractual stage.
TBR: What’s the most challenging aspect of writing? Most rewarding?
Nancy: Doing those miles on my exercise bike! I get so tied up writing I find it’s already dark outside, and too late to go out for walk. And creating new work. I spend too much time revising, aiming for a better way to express something. As a newbie to the marketing aspects (since March 2011) I’m still struggling with setting aside the appropriate amount of time to spend on writing and reading blogs, face book, etc. This year I intend to be more efficient with that slot every day. The most rewarding thing, though, was having the first print copy of my first ever book in my hand last year. That was fabulous!
TBR: Who are some of your favorite authors and books? What are you reading now?
Nancy: I’m an avid reader but I tend not to remember the names of books I’ve loved a short while after reading them- since by then I’ve moved onto pastures new. I’m often drawn back to the classics-Jane Austen, H. Rider Haggard, Tolkein, Dickens. I love Morgan Llywelyn’s ‘Bard’ and her other Celtic works. At present I’m reading two books. The first is ‘A Beautiful Cage’ by Alyson Reuben, and the second a novel for children by Ali Sparkes called ‘Frozen in Time’ that won the British ‘Blue Peter Award’ in 2010. As an ex-teacher I’m still keeping up with what’s what for younger readers.
TBR: Is there anything you’d like to ask our readers?
Nancy: Just to ask them to contact me on my website or blog and tell me what they find most entertaining/endearing about MONOGAMY TWIST.
TBR: Readers, Nancy will give one lucky commenter a PDF version of Monogamy Twist. She'll pick a winner on Saturday 21st January and announce the winner on TBR on Sunday. Be sure to leave your email address so Nancy can contact you.
Thanks for visiting TBR, Nancy. All the best to you.
