Author Interview with Nicky Peacock
At what point did you decide to be an author and what was your path to publication?
I can’t remember a time I didn’t want to be an author. But it was only back in 2010 that I started to take my dream seriously. I began writing short stories for the anthology market. I’d previously tried writing novels but had always lost interest halfway through. Short stories seemed to be a good way for me to learn how to finish something (something you wouldn’t think is a skill, but is) Next thing I knew I had 30 short stories published and an idea for a YA novel series. I think my previous publishing history helped seal the deal with my publishers. By learning my craft through short stories, I’d gain writing skills, experience working with editors, and a social media presence – all of which helped when it came to selling my lone author work.
What do you do when a new idea jumps out at you while you’re still working on a book? Do you chase the squirrel (aka “UP syndrome”) or do you finish your current project first?
UP syndrome – love it! Yes, I suffer from that! I can have two or even three manuscripts on the go at once. Although this affords me the opportunity to always write what I feel, rather than what I have to. If one book is frustrating me, I can change to another – this way I never have writers’ block.
Who is your favorite character to write, and why is that person your favorite? If picking a favorite character would be like picking a favorite child, which character seems to be the most demanding or your attention and detail as a writer?
Yes, it’s very much like having a favorite child, but don’t all parents have a secret favorite? Or maybe I’m being cynical! I love writing Britannia from my Battle of the Undead series. She has a very dry sense of humor and is a total bad ass. I must admit, though, I do like trying out new characters, so ultimately whoever I’m writing at the time tends to become my favorite.
Describe your writing process. Do you outline, plot and plan, or is your writing more organic?
I’m a plotter and I always have a plan. But I do have a bit of an odd process; I tend to write the scenes I’m most passionate about first and then go back over the plot to fill in the gaps. It’s a bit unconventional, but I find that once I’ve written all the exciting scenes the story itself starts to evolve, and so the weaker ones become more coherent to the overall story. Also, I’m more committed to not wasting what I’ve already written and so I know I’ll finish the book.
What are some books or authors that you would recommend to our readers?
So many authors! And my favorite ones change depending on my mood. For horror, I read Poppy Z Brite or Richard Laymon. For Paranormal Romance I read Kresley Cole and Christine Feehan. For Urban Fantasy it’s Keri Arthur and Patricia Briggs. For YA it’s Kiera Cass and Cassandra Clare. And for when I’m feeling very brave, I read any paranormal non-fiction book from the publishers, Llewellyn.
Tell us what you enjoy most about writing in your genre.
I write dark fiction and lean toward the paranormal. I adore how many options there are in it. Pretty much anything my twisted little imagination can cook up can be served up to the reader – as long as there is a healthy dollop of reality somewhere alongside it to make the craziness go down smoother. Research is one of my best skills, so finding out legends, forgotten monsters and events in real life that could have turned out much different, all add to my enjoyment.
What have you found to be most challenging about writing in your genre?
Writing longer books. I tend to write novels for the YA market that sit around 40K words. I hate padding stories out and love action. My goal is to make the reader breathless and want to read the whole book in one sitting. However, I’ve had a lot of lovely and positive reviews for my new book, Lost in Wonderland that said they would have loved the book to be longer, I’ve listened and the second in this series, The Assassin of Oz which I’m working on now, will be longer.
Have you been able to incorporate your previous experience in your jobs/education in your writing?
I work in sales and marketing, and that’s been helping me promote my books. Although I do still dream of the day when I can just write and I don’t need to do anything else. I am also working on a creative writing degree (just one year left to go), so this has helped my writing tremulously. Writers can pick up a lot of the tricks of the trade through osmosis (by reading a lot of books in their chosen genre) but only by really digging into to the subject can you reach the next level.
Do you identify with your main character or did you create a character that is your opposite?
Mouse, in Lost in Wonderland, is very different to me in appearance. I’m tall and blonde; she’s very short with dark hair. She can bait and calmly dispose of a serial killer; I would probably end up on a missing person list! But we do share a fear. The fear of getting lost. I’m not sure how I ended up like this, but I break into a cold sweat when I have to go somewhere new on my own. I’m fine if someone else is there, but if I’m alone, I’m terrified. Even satnavs don’t seem to help. Google Earth has helped a little, but even that isn’t full proof. Neither I nor my character seems to know how to crack this fear yet.
Describe your book/series in 10 words or less for people who are just learning about it.
Monsters, serial killers, and imaginary friends—being a Wonderlander can be murder…
Is there anything you would like people to take away from your book?
LOL, that it’s worth buying all my books! I’m just kidding (not really kidding, buy my books!) I think it would be: there are many people in this world who have the power to protect the innocent and vulnerable, yet fail in their duty of care, yet there are some who will stand up and be counted and these are the true heroes.
Do you have any odd (writing) habits?
I like to write in busy pubs and coffee shops. I’m not sure why, but I think the noise is soothing and the people around me are inspiring. Also, there is always a wealth of yummy treats I can eat and drink while writing.
What has been the toughest criticism you have received as an author? What has been the best compliment?
Toughest criticism is when a reviewer gives you a low rating but no actual review. It’s frustrating as you don’t know then whether it’s just down to personal taste or if it was something that could be changed going forward that will make future books better. I’ve been lucky and had some great compliments from book reviewers. It’s when they say that they can’t wait for the next one, this fires me up to write just for them.
Share some advice for aspiring authors. What advice would you give to your younger self?
Start in the short story market. I wished I gotten this advice sooner. Learn your craft as you go and earn some money and publishing credits by submitting to anthologies. Also, you can’t please everyone – so just make sure you write something you want to write.
What is your favorite line from your book?
This is from Battle of the Undead, Bad Blood. The protagonist Britannia says, “I felt that everything was spinning out of my control. Like I was some angry character in a supernatural novel lurching from one disaster to another— all at the whim of a twisted author out to titillate her readers at my expense.”
To date, what is your favorite (or most difficult) chapter you have ever written?
The most difficult thing I’ve ever written is the ending to a short story entitled, For Audrey that is included in a zombie anthology, So Long and Thanks for the Brains. It’s all about a zombie dog, Buddy who rises from the grave to save his young owner. You’d have to read it to see why, just have some tissues ready.
What is your take on book boyfriends? Do they actually exist? Or do they set the bar for “real life men” impossibly high?
I hope they do exist, but I have a horrible feeling they don’t. It’s frustrating; men complain all the time that they don’t know what women what and what they are feeling, but they only have to pick up a romance novel or twelve to see what we want from our men. I think books and movies do set unrealistic expectations for everything, not just romance. Strangers rarely speak to you, men never ask for your number in the street, and you’ll never bag that dream job by chance – or is this just my life?
Have you ever experienced writer’s block? How did you deal with it?
I’ve been lucky so far; I’ve not suffered from it. I tend to suffer more from laziness and time block. I’ve countered these things by treating my writing like a friend. I book time for it, meet it for lunch and have coffee with it. I’d never let a friend down, so by doing this I always turn up for my writing dates and get things done.
What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
I work full time on a trade magazine and spend the rest of my time writing and promoting my work (a massive part of the modern author’s life) I try to exercise, but to be honest, my heart is rarely in it and I usually find an excuse – I’ve gotten quite a bit of writing done in the past trying to avoid the treadmill! I’m a big movie and TV addict and run a local writers’ group to encourage others that need help on the road to their literary dreams.
About the Author
I’m a British author living in the UK. I’m a proud member of the Society of Authors and the British Fantasy Society. My second book in the Battle of the Undead series, Bad Timing is out now and my story Madame X is included in Little Brown Book’s Mammoth Book of the Jack the Ripper Tales.
Prequel to Battle of the Undead, Traitors’ Gate is out now as a FREE. Bad Blood and Bad Timing must be read in order, however Traitors’ Gate can be read at any point in the series.
My new series, The Twisted and Brave starts in April with Evernight Teen. The first book in the series, Lost in Wonderland is released April 2016.
You can find me online:
Want to chat? I’ll be doing a Twitter takeover for Young Entertainment Magazine on Thursday, Oct 27th 2016 4-6pm EST for a Halloween tweet-feast https://twitter.com/YoungEntmag Everyone is invited!
Great interview! I’m happy to see I’m not the only one who keeps multiple manuscripts going at the same time AND who writes certain scenes first. 😀
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