Romance at Heart Magazine Author Interview: Nikki Leigh

Interview with Nikki Leigh:

Hi Nikki. 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 your latest book.

My latest books are related. "Widow’s Walk" is set in the 1840’s along the Cape Ann coast of New England. It is set around the Sullivan and Kinsey families and begins with a scandal involving the lighthouse keeper and the heroine’s father. The heroine in "Widow’s Walk" is an ancestor of the heroine in "Stormy View". Kennalyn is the heroine of "Stormy View" and her father is the latest lighthouse keeper in their family for the Stormy View lighthouse. These two books draws the reader into my fiction town of Misty Cove, Massachusetts. There is intrigue, interesting subplots and colorful secondary characters to add to the story of my main characters.

- What can we expect from you in the future?

In the future, I will be writing the 2nd and 3rd books in the historic Misty Cove Chronicles which continue to follow the Kinsey family. I’m also planning a series of short stories which will delve into the backgrounds of some of my secondary characters in "Widow’s Walk" and the sequels which are works in progress.

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

At my website, www.nikkileigh.com

- How may readers contact you?

E-mail me at Nikki_leigh22939@yahoo.com

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

My interests influence my writing. Some of my favorite things are history, the ocean and lighthouses. You will find these things in my work.

- When did you first think about writing and what prompted you to submit your first ms?

I have wanted to write since I was a kid, but I didn’t get serious for many years. Once I got serious about writing, things started to click pretty quickly. I hesitated to submit the first manuscript. Then I attended the Virginia Festival of the Book and was so enthusiastic that I went home and mailed 30 submissions the following Monday.

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

It usually requires a month to develop the story, then I need to write and edit a manuscript. This is while working a fulltime job.

- Do you feel humour is important in women's fiction and why?

I like to use a little humor to show conflicting emotions and feelings. It also worked well when my heroine was preparing for her father’s funeral.

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

I prefer to show the passion and attraction, but leave the details to the reader. We all have preferences in everything including love scenes, so I set the stage and leave the specifics to the reader’s imagination. I might change this in the future, but it’s working at this time.

- What kind of research do you do?

I do extensive research and especially for my historic series. I want people from Cape Ann to pick up my books and feel that I’ve reflected their history. There were scenes that needed substantial changes to get the details right, so I made the changes.

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

I want to write mysteries. Thrillers are my favorite books to read and one day I want to write them. But, I need to hone some more skills. I wrote a mystery novella last spring and it was great. After I finish the historic series, I will work on mysteries.

- Who are some of your favorite authors?

Jeffrey Deaver, John Grisham, Patricia Cornwell, Caleb Carr, Maeve Binchy, Nora Roberts, Eileen Goudge and numerous romance authors. I also recently discovered Jefferson Bass and thoroughly enjoyed their new book along with a variety of true crime authors.

- Are you a member of any author groups - RWA, critique groups, etc.?

I recently started a new readers/authors group with some friends called the Readers’ Station. I’m also a member and course developer for Writers Village.

- What do you think of critique groups in general?

I have been in a number of study and critique groups, but I learned a valuable lesson about a year ago. Input from others is important, but don’t let their feedback create doubts about your work. I listened to my study group on some things that I felt strong about. When I submitted the manuscript, the publisher went over specific things with me and I basically scraped the previous edit. I went back and restored the manuscript to the condition before I implemented the study group’s comments. The very next publisher offered me a contract and wants the next books in the series. I could’ve saved myself a lot of wasted work and time, if I had gone with my gut feeling and tempered the feedback from my critique group.

- How long have you been writing - have you always wanted to be a writer?

I’ve always wanted to write, but have only been serious about it for about 3 ½ years.

- How many books have you written, how many have been published?

I’ve completed 2 fiction books – both are published and I’m trying to find time to finish the third. A publisher is waiting for that one. I’ve written two non fiction and both will be released this spring and I’m working on the third non fiction which will be released this summer.

- Among your own books, have you a favorite book?

"Widow’s Walk" is my favorite which is funny since I thought about "Stormy View" for a good part of the last 17 years.

- Favorite hero or heroine?

Lizbeth is great. She is strong willed and has doubts and concerns. William is also wonderful – supportive, strong and hiding a secret from his childhood.

- Are you in control of your characters or do they control you?

I usually control the characters and the story, but there are times when the characters take control. I’m glad to say they are usually right.

- What is the most rewarding thing about being a writer?

My favorite thing is when I worked hard to make a subtle point and a reader picks it out to mention to me. Also, when I had a specific idea in mind when I was writing a scene and the reader “gets” what I meant. I love that and it proves to me that I’m doing my job as a writer.

- If you weren't writing, what would you be doing?

Reading more wonderful books.

- Are there any words of encouragement for unpublished writers?

Don’t give up on your dream. If you’re sure you can write, give it your all and don’t listen to people who try to discourage you.

Thank you very much 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!

Nikki Leigh Interview
Buy Nikki's Books at www.ebooksonthe.net
Buy Nikki's Books at Wings Press