Interview with Author, Nicole North ...

Today I have the pleasure of introducing you to the Author of Devil in a Kilt, Nicole North!

Welcome Nicole, we are so happy to have you here. I know many readers are looking forward to getting to know you better! So lets jump right in.

What do you think makes Devil in a Kilt different? What will draw readers to it?

Well, it's sort of a fun, quirky story and it has a little of everything: humor, suspense, sexiness, emotions... not to mention about four subgenres of romance all in one story (paranormal, contemporary, historical, erotic) mixed and blended like haggis... no wait... more like delicious clootie dumpling. A lot of romance readers love a hot, sword-wielding Highlander in a kilt, and this story has that. Gavin is devilish, as you might imagine. He knows what he wants and he goes after it. So hopefully readers will be drawn to him. The heroine, Shauna, is the quirky part of the story. Her modern snark plays well off Gavin's more serious (historical) nature. Most of all I hope it will entertain readers!
It sounds wonderful!

Are you a Plotter or a Pantser?

I call myself a hybrid (hey, hybrids are in vogue, right?) I started out my first book pantsing all the way, but I ran into plot problems and unsnarling them was near impossible. Now I like to have a three-act-play-structure type roadmap so I don't get lost. Basically, I just plan out my character's GMC (goal, motivation, conflict), figure out the midpoint and other turning points (important scenes that do certain things for the story,) climax and resolution. The pantsing part comes in again as I'm writing within this loose framework.

That's a great idea! You always need a road map of sorts, to keep you from getting lost! and yes, Hybrids are in vogue, right now!

How would you describe your voice?

My voice is versatile or so I've been told. I used to write only dark or serious things. Then I discovered by accident that I can write humor. Or at least people told me it was funny. Humor is difficult to write because not everyone has the same sense of humor. What one person thinks is funny, another won't, and vice versa. I enjoy writing humor because... well, it's fun! So to answer your question, sometimes my voice is funny and snarky. But at other times, I have a historical voice. Since I write paranormal, historical and contemporary this is helpful to me.

Interesting!

How do you come up with your ideas/plots?

Usually I'll get the germ of an idea, an unusual situation or event a character is involved in. Sometimes this is the opening scene, sometimes a later scene. For instance, with Devil in a Kilt, the idea came from the Highland Games, which I like to attend whenever possible. I challenged myself to come up with a story idea there. One clan tent had a huge two-handed Highland sword on display. What would happen if the sword had some magic in it and the woman who picked it up was transported back in time 400 years to the man who originally owned it?

Ah, so cool! I love the highland games too! And I can't wait to get my hands on a copy of your book!

Do you research your story before you write it? Or as you go?

I have a confession to make. I don't enjoy research. I know some people live for that but not me. I live to write about relationships and falling in love and sexual tension and... you get the idea. At the same time, I feel historical accuracy is vital. So, I've researched the time period I chose to set my novels and novellas in, 1618 or 1621 Scotland and England (thus far.) I tried to establish my basic groundwork knowledge of the time, clothing, what had been invented, weapons, housing, food, words in use, political climate, etc. so I would consider that "before I write" research which has already been done. But once I get into the story and decide what is going to happen where, I'll find other areas I have to research in depth. For instance on my last novel, I had to research ships of the time and how Highland inaugurations of new chiefs were done. I like to ask the experts to be sure everything is accurate. The interesting thing about historical research is how little of it actually shows up in the story. It's just the backdrop or the "stage." I don't like to show my research information in a teaching or textbook kind of way. I try to show these historical details in subtle ways that allows the reader to feel they are there.

Now I would never have guessed that you didn't like research! Very interesting!

Do you feel a draw to the people and the time periods you write about?

Interesting question! I do feel a draw to Scotland and I never realized how much until I went there. It's simply an amazing, breathtaking, gorgeous place. I could just stand staring (wide-eyed, mouth hanging open) at someplace like Sango Bay or Kyle of Tongue for a good long time. Especially the drive from Thurso to Isle of Skye along the northern coast and even down through the western Highlands and Glencoe. I would be thinking, omigosh look at that, the whole time. I'm not sure if anyone else has a clue what I'm talking about. LOL But I felt some sort of comfortable warm exciting connection to the places but was also blown away by the mystical beauty.

Oh, I know exactly what your talking about! Its as if SCOTLAND has a mystical power that sucks you in and won't let you go!!!! I love it there!

Do you find love scenes difficult to write?

Not too difficult. I enjoy them, which is why I got into writing erotic romance. I always enjoyed reading and writing sensual romance. The erotic romance I write is just a step or two further on the heat scale. I also teach writing workshops about how to write sexual tension and love scenes. Sexual tension is my favorite element of a romance novel, and if the sexual tension is really strong then chances are the love scenes that follow are going to seem hotter than they actually are.

I on the other hand have a harder time with these, I definitely need to take your workshop!!!

Is it necessary to have a critique/writing partner?

Maybe not necessary but certainly my critique partners and critique groups have helped me lots by picking out my errors and weaknesses and in general cracking the whip. LOL I would advise new writers to find critique partners or groups, but these should be a good fit. A bad critique group or partner can do more harm than good.

I couldn't agree more! A great group of Critique partners is definitely worth their weight in gold!

Authors make writing look easy? Is it harder than most people imagine it to be?

At times it's much more difficult than other times. Sometimes the muse is kind and the words flow like lava. Other times, I find myself struggling to get a sentence down. But eventually it all gets done and smoothed out. Then it's time for a sigh of relief.

I know what your saying, believe me! People who think you just put pen to paper and Viola, its done couldn't be MORE wrong!

Do you have more than one book out now?

Devil in a Kilt in Secrets Volume 27 Untamed Pleasures anthology is the only one out now. But I have an upcoming novella called Kilted Lover being released this fall. It's a contemporary with a modern day kilted hottie who acts very much like his Scots and Norse ancestors. Throws the heroine over his shoulder to rescue her, knows how to handle a weapon and toss cabers, and when that kilt comes off he can burn up the sheets. What more could you ask for? LOL

Hmmm, what more could I ask for?? Let me see- How about two Hotties, just for me!!! Wow, Nicole you've been one busy lady! Kitled Lover sounds yummy as well!!!!!

Nicole its been a pleasure spotlighting you and Devil in a Kilt, we wish you many sales and all the best in your future endevours!!!!!

Thanks for being here with us today!!!

Thanks again for having me here!!!:)

It was our pleasure!

Don't forget to check Nicole out on the web!

Nicole's links
http://www.nicolenorth.com/
http://fierceromance.blogspot.com/
book video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1oOOvTomv4

Trailer for, "Devil in a Kilt"

DEVIL IN A KILT

Amazon buy link: http://www.amazon.com/Secrets-27-Pleasures-Leigh-Court/dp/1603100075/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1241557838&sr=8-1

B&N buy link: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Secrets-Volume-27/Leigh-Court/e/9781603100076/?itm=1

Also available from http://www.eredsage.com/

And don't forget to check back with us tomorrow for my interview with Author Nicole North!

And remember if you comment you can win!

Excerpt from, "Devil in a Kilt"

Excerpt from Devil in a Kilt, Secrets Volume 27 Untamed Pleasures
Copyright © Nicole North, 2009
All Rights Reserved, Red Sage Publishing

Gavin glanced out the window at the Highlands and the first faint trace of dawn peeking over the eastern mountains.

It won’t be long.

A yell echoed from down the corridor, the ravings of a madman.

His father.

One day that would be Gavin, talking to ghosts and shadows. But likely when he sank to that level, he would have no roof over his head. Or else his sparse clan would lock him in the dungeon to die alone. Since he had no heir, his greedy, grasping cousin would become laird. His clan would rejoice when their devil laird was dead.

"Damnation! Alpin willna unseat me. The craven whoreson."

Draping his plaid around his waist and holding it in place, Gavin strode from the bedchamber and down the corridor toward his father’s room."There ye are, lad," Crocker said, his sparse gray hair sticking out in all directions. "Thanks be to God. He’s a right lunatic this morn. Asking for ye, he is."

"What the devil is wrong with him?" Gavin stepped inside the chamber."I dinna ken."

"Gavin! Gavin!" his father screeched from the four-poster bed as his body writhed, his long gray hair tangled. "The lass. Ye must look for the lass. Ye must marry. For the sake of the clan. For the sake of yer very soul."

"What lass?" No lass for miles around would so much as glance in his direction. He used to have to drag them from his bed and send them on their way. Now, he couldn’t pay one to give him an hour’s pleasure.

He would like as not turn them to stone, or they would end up possessed by the devil, as he was thought to be.

Gavin waited for his father to tell him which lass he referred to, but the older man now lay still with his eyes closed, apparently asleep. Mayhap he’d meant the lass from Gavin’s arousing dreams. But she wasn’t real, and he’d never seen her face.

Fingers of dawn light gleamed over the mountains and Gavin’s animal nature surged forth, beyond his control."Damnation! When will it end?"

He moved toward the open window, helpless to resist the call. Just as he reached it, a moment of pain sliced through him. His body transformed, and great glossy-black wings appeared where once he had arms, and talons on his feet. Taking flight from the window, he became one with the wind, the Highlands and the bright colors of dawn.