JMP: Tell me a little bit about yourself?
NF: Well I’m from Australia but I live in Houston, Tx where everyone drives big trucks and the roads are really scary. After five years I’m still not used to traffic. I’m married to a wonderful man and have two kids plus a fluffy cat and the cutest Pomeranian dog. I work remotely for the job I have in Australia before we moved to Houston and then I fit in writing all around that.
JMP: What inspires you to create the stories you do?
NF: Hmm sometimes it could be a passing comment someone says that triggers and idea. A couple of times I’ve had a scene hit me or a character pops in my head. I’ve not usually used pictures or music but the last book I wrote I found a picture while I was looking at a stock photo site and it just screamed at me that it was this particular character. With that same story I actually created a playlist of about 10 songs and listened to it over and over. I’ve now decided that’s going to be my writing playlist. I thought music would distract me but it actually made me focus.
JMP: Any real life inspiration for any of your characters - protagonists or antagonists?
NF: Yes and no. Elements of some people who have crossed my path have made their way into some of my characters. I’m now really careful with names too. I don’t want people to think I’ve named a character after them. It’s lucky I don’t write suspense when characters get killed off. In my current WIP I have named a character after a good friend and told my friend about it. She thought it was pretty cool.
JMP: How do you balance motherhood, a full-time job, and being an author?
NF: I don’t balance it very well. You’d think after all this time I would have worked out the secret to balance it all but I haven’t. Some days I think I’ve got it all sorted other days I’m all over the show and get nothing done.
JMP: What writing and/or publishing advice would you give to any author (small press, indie, etc.)?
NF: Take that leap, whether it be submitting to an agent or publisher for the first time. Entering a contest or deciding to self-publish. But also listen and learn. If you get a rejection and man it stings, but if it’s a detailed rejection, read it over a couple of times. Take the advice that rings with you. Be open to everything, no matter what.
JMP: What have you published so far and what's coming up next?
NF: I’ve published five full length novels and 2 short stories. I also had a novella in an independent project which is now off Amazon but I’m planning to add more words and put it back up early next year. I have my first book “Masquerade” in the ‘Sexy in the City’ boxed set which goes on sale 22nd September and it’s only 99c so great value for 9 books. Then on 22nd October 2014 I have “Bound by His Desire” releasing. This is the follow up to my book “Bound by Her Ring”. I’m excited about this book. Nick is broody and sexy and totally alpha. But he is thrown for a loop when Pam steps into his life. They head off to New York so I used my experience of visiting NYC when I wrote Pam’s reactions.
JMP: At the end of these interviews, I'd like to give my readers a writing prompt (readers: you can submit your story to be on the blog if you wish!) So, help me finish this prompt: A mischievous little girl and her stubborn brother decide to go on an adventure...
NF: ...to visit their grandma. She lived a on the other side of town but the little girl was desperate for a piece of Grandma’s chocolate cake.
Here are Nicole's links:
Facebook.com/NicoleFlockton
Goodreads.com/NicoleFlockton
Amazon.com/Nicole-Flockton/e/B009MQPJNG
@NicoleFlockton
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