Nicola May lives in Ascot in Berkshire with her misbehaved cat Stanley. Her hobbies include watching films that involve a lot of swooning, crabbing in South Devon, eating flapjacks and enjoying a flutter on the horses. For more information about Nicola and her writing please go to http://www.nicolamay.com
1.What got you into writing? I sort of fell into it really. Eighteen years ago I worked in PR and loved to party. My work colleagues dared me to run a half marathon as they didn’t think I’d stick to the training. I ended up writing a comedic diary about it. From this, I was bitten by the writing bug. I also finished the half-marathon in a commendable time too!
2.What is a usual writing day like for you? When I start a novel I cannot stop! I find it’s the best way to retain character continuity. I always write in bed. I may have a radio on, but I’m usually so engrossed I don’t always hear it. Time flies. 6 hours is my usual stint but if the story is flowing I can write for longer. I just stop to get food and drinks, but consume them in the bedroom too!
3.Do you get writers block? If so, how do you overcome it? I don’t get writer’s block as such. My problem is actually starting a new novel. Procrastination is a terrible thing! Once I’ve started it I’m fine, I get in the zone and off I go. If I am having trouble working through a plot, I go walking somewhere with open spaces. I can then think and sometimes even talk through out loud all scenarios in my head.
4.Are you a plotter/planner when it comes to writing a story? The idea for my novels comes to me first, usually at very random times. I sort of plan in my head but then dive in and different plot lines seem to happen as I go along. I have a rough idea of a character in my head but as the plot develops so do they. I actually see a book as one continuous draft until I write The End. character in my head but as the plot develops so do they. I actually see a book as one continuous draft until I write The End.
5.What was the publishing process like for you,& any advice to aspiring authors? When I first started writing, I did get amazingly get myself an agent straight away who thoroughly believed in my novel Star Fish. They however couldn’t get a publisher to bite and after a couple of years we parted company amicably. I then started contacting publishers directly, which is really hard without an agent as most of them don’t take unsolicited material. It was when one very big publisher said they hoped it wasn’t a big regret turning Working it Out down that I knew it was good enough to be out there. So I took the plunge and published myself. 6 books later I do not regret this decision at all. My advice to inspiring authors is keep writing and just don’t give up. It may not be the first novel that gets you noticed. And, if you struggle to get published in the traditional way, look at the self-publishing route. It is a great platform now for debut authors, especially now the digital age of publishing is at an all-time high. I offer very reasonable one to one consultancy on the self-publishing and marketing and PR process. Details of which can be found on my websitehttp://www.nicolamay.com.
6.What has been your highlight since becoming a published author? There have been two. First seeing Working it Out in print in the window of Waterstones and winning the Best Author Published Read award for The School Gates at the Festival of Romance.
7.Can you share a little of your most recent book with us? And any other books of yours, if you wish. My most recent book The Unconventional Angel sees manless and jobless Evie Harris striking up an unlikely friendship with homeless Yves. She goes through an unwitting journey of spiritual awakening all set against the sparkling winter backdrop of London landmarks.
8.Apart from writing, what do you do in your spare time? I enjoy going to good restaurants and drinking anything with bubbles in. I also love to power walk in Windsor Great Park. Devon is one of my favourite places. So, when I get time to escape, I head down there to go on long walks by the sea and relax. In fact The Bow Wow Club ends at a favourite watering hole of mine, The Ferry Boat Inn, which is in a beautiful little estuary village called Dittisham.
9.If you could trade places with any other person for a week, famous or not famous, living or dead, real or fictional, who would it be & why? I would love to be the Duchess of Cambridge. Be able to choose beautiful outfits, have my make-up done professionally and of course wake up to Prince William every day!
10.Do you have anything that you want to say to your readers? Just thank you so much for all of your support and for taking the time to put reviews up, they really do help. Not being traditionally published is not always easy and it really does boost me to know that people are appreciating my work.
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