Romance at Heart Magazine Author Interview: Nathanial Portis

Interview with Nathanial Portis:

Hi Nathanial. Thank you for doing this interview. I would like to welcome you to the Romance at Heart Interview and Author Grilling session. *bg* We are interested to find out as much about you as we possibly can, so lets get started...

- Please tell us about yourself.

Well, in addition to writing, I’m also degreed Electronic Engineer. I’m also finishing my masters in software engineering. Although I have a love for technology, my passion is writing, I have written two novels: Things IN Between is an urban fiction and was released in Feb 2004 (Re-release May 2007). My second novel is a romance titled Married To a Married Man and will officially release in April 2007

- Please tell us about your latest book.

My latest book is a love story that never should have happened. Kayla Brown is a beautiful, young and aggressive Harvard graduate who wants to conquer the world of corporate America.

Right after completing graduate school at Harvard University, Kayla Brown relocates with her son to Houston Texas and settles into a new career. After failing the dating scene she gives up on romance and opts to focus on her career and raising her son, until one day when she collapses at the gym and is carried off her feet by a handsome mystery man. When she later finds out that the mystery man is one of the most powerful executives at the corporation that she consults for, she embarks on a mission using her beauty, and their mutual attraction as a step-ladder for her climb-up the corporate ladder. However, falling in love with the married executive was never part of her plan, and months turn into years of being his mistress and leads to an emotional rollercoaster ride of up’s and down’s that she had never expected.

Married To a Married Man is a story that every woman has wondered about or knows someone involved in an affair with a married man.

- What are your thoughts on love scenes in romance novels, do you find them difficult to write?

I love writing love scenes and I don’t find them hard to write at all. Some times it can be a challenge to keep them clean (because there is a fine line between romance and erotica).

- How much of your personality and life experiences are in your writing?

I don’t have much of my own personal experience in my latest novel, Married To a Married Man, and this was done on purpose. When I wrote my first novel, Things In Between, I was very closely matched to the main Character (Cameron Johnson) and although Things In Between is not an autobiography, I was often told that the character was almost too real and I was accused of not being creative and writing based off my own experiences, thus I decided that my next novel would be completely foreign of my own distinction. So as a person who has never been married or involved in an affair, I can honestly say that I have conquered my abilities as a creative writer.

- How did you get the name The Real Fiction Writer?

If you read Things IN Between you’ll find that all the characters are very real to life. I often use real life details such as popular events and songs to take the reader to a time setting.

The use of small, real world details has given me the trade name “The Real Fiction Writer.

- Why did you decide to write romance novels?

I didn’t start out with the intent of writing a romance novel, I just wanted to write a classy fiction, however as the characters and story plot developed I soon had a good romance novel on my hand.

- What kind of research do you do?

I wanted to keep the characters in Married To a Married Man true to life, so I joined a few online chat groups to get an idea of what goes on in an affair and what leads one. I also talked in detail with a lot of my friends and co-workers who are married and got some ideas.

- Do you feel humor is important in women's romance and why?

I think in order to write a well accepted romance the reader (through the character) needs to experience all phases of love and since humor is definitely a phase of love it is important to include some humor in romance.

- Generally, how long does it take you to write a book?

I finished my first novel (Things IN Between) in about seven months, however it took me almost two-years to complete Married To a Married man, because the characters were so foreign to me, and I wanted to remain true to the characters-- I had to do a lot of research.

- Would you like to write a different genre than you do now, or sub-genre?

I would definitely like to write in other genre’s, even with this romance, I’m stepping outside of my comfort zone but I think to be successful in anything in today’s market you have to be diverse. Don’t be surprised to see me publish some mystery, sci-fi and possibly some non-fictions.

- Do you have a favorite author? Favorite book?

My favorite author is James Patterson and my favorite books of his are The Big Bad Wolf, and London Bridges.

- What are some of your favorite things to do?

I can be a loner at times, but I enjoy outdoor activities, hiking, camping, white water rafting and I love jogging.

- How may readers contact you?

I love to get feedback from readers and book reviewers. Please contact me at services@nathanialportis.com. You can check for my upcoming book signings on my website. I also have a myspace page /www.myspace.com/nathanialportis.

- How many readers/fans contact you?

I’ve been working on Married To a Married man over the past two years so I’ve been out the loop for a while but while I was promoting my previous novel, Things IN Between, I received a few fan emails weekly for about ten months.

- Do your fans' comments and letters influence you in any way?

My fan’s comments influence me in many ways. Since my first novel was a urban fiction I received a lot of fan mail mostly from young high school girls and some from men in prison. I’m curious to see what this romance will bring out, I’m always curious to how they perceive my characters, and if they perceive them as I intended to write them.

- How do we find out about you and your books?

You can find out more about me by visiting my web site www.Nathanialportis.com. My books will both be available in April and are sold where ever books are sold, available at all major book chains and on Amazon.com. You can also read the reviews for Things In Between on Amazon.com.

Thank you very much Nathanial for taking the time with us and answering our questions. I really appreciate this interruption to your busy schedule. Good Luck, and we will be looking forward to the next delightful creation from your talented imagination!

Yours in good reading,
Rose!

Nathanial Portis.com Bio About his books
Buy Nathanial's Books At Amazon