Nicola Palmer is a children's author with an imaginative mind.
First of
all, thanks, Joo, for asking me to participate in a grilling! I'm
honoured to be subjected to your interrogation :)
How do you strike the balance between
writing something you want to write and writing something that people want to
read, in terms of the compromises you make, if any?
I began
by writing what I wanted to write - a story that had been bubbling away in my
mind for a couple of years. Amazingly, for a first effort, it was
well-received, so I've continued in the same way!
What excites, attracts or appeals to you about the genre(s) you write in.
Writing
fantasy adventure for children of 9+ is exciting because it enables your
imagination to run wild, creating a magical world, while still dealing with
complex emotions in the real world. I'm pleased to say that Alice Parker
has quite a following of adult readers too! I'm just a big kid at heart,
so this genre was the obvious choice for me.
Do you have a box, drawer, folder etc where you keep thoughts and ideas for
future stories? Such as names you have come across, bits of dialogue, ideas,
characters - even if you have no idea when you might use them?
I have a
notebook where I jot down ideas and a folder full of inspirations; random
pictures, names scribbled on the back of envelopes, old Christmas cards with
snow scenes. The ones with glitter are the best! The folder is
pretty full, but I'm sure most of the snippets will be incorporated in the
story at some point in the future.
How do you manage plot bunnies (ideas that
invade your mind that aren’t usually helpful to the story you’re writing but
breed like...er...bunnies)?
Plot
bunnies? I get Alice to have a word with them - she can communicate with
animals. In a first draft, my plot bunnies hope around freely dropping
currants all over the manuscript. But when I read through the complete
story I can usually spot them, so then I reach for the dustpan and brush.
If I miss them, my editor certainly finds them and passes comment!
How much of you is in your characters? Which of your characters is the you that
you’d most like to be? Or be with ?
I'm afraid there's a lot of me in Alice. She
can be a feisty, impatient madam, but as the series progresses, a warmer side
of her character emerges. I just wish I had some of her abilities!
If I
could spend time with one of the characters, it would have to be Thomas.
He's a good-looking chap, and with his brain and abilities, he's one to watch
in the future.
Do you become so wrapped up in your
writing that your spouse wonders if they're married to you or one of your
characters?
Writing takes over 'normal' life at times. I don't think I get
wrapped up in a particular character, but my mind wanders into fantasy mode at
unexpected moments. In company, it can lead to raised eyebrows and
some strange remarks.
What type of book do you like reading?
Is it the same genre as you write?
I love reading children's books, and it's hard to
break the habit. I have started reading more adult books recently,
though, and I've been dipping in to the KUF book club.
What lengths do you go to to convince us readers that your book has the X
factor?
Hopefully the books speak for themselves. I
don't do as much marketing as I should - I fear that too much pushing could put
people off.
How do you feel when a reader points out the spelling mistake(s) you have made?
Luckily, it hasn't happened yet, but if someone did, I'd be grateful.
What do you like most about visiting KUF/forums?
KU
forums are welcoming and friendly. I love the support for indie authors
and the fact you never need to be afraid to ask a silly question!
What is on your near horizon?
I'm toying with the idea of writing a Christmas-themed short story before
commencing Book 4 of Alice Parker's Adventures next year. We'll see!
Where can we find you for more
information?
