Nicky Charles Q&A!

What inspired you to start writing?

 

I never intended to become an author.  It’s all because of an old TV show called Scarecrow and Mrs. King, that I ever even picked up a virtual pen and tried my hand at it!

Back in 2009, I rediscovered the show on youtube and, after watching all the episodes, started to read fanfiction for the series.  One day, while doing laundry, an idea popped into my head and on a whim I wrote my first story for fanfiction.  I posted it on a fan based website and eventually ‘met’ Jan Gordon who also belonged to that site.  Several months later she wrote and posted an original piece of fiction, a novella entitled Black Silk.  I left a review and an idle comment from her inspired me to write my own original story, Forever In Time.  Since then I’ve been ‘hooked’ on creating my own stories.

Where do your book ideas generally come from?

I’m usually inspired by things I see – I’m a very visual person.  I’ll notice a waitress leaning against a counter and I’ll start to wonder what she’s thinking, why she’s staring out the window and suddenly a whole story pops into my head.

You offer your books free. Is there a particular reason why?

Yes, up until now all of my books have been free.  At the time I started writing, it was simply a hobby; I wrote for the fun of it.  I never thought of selling the stories or even considered them worthy of having a price attached to them.  Also, I worked full time at a fairly good job.  While I wasn’t rich, I didn’t really need the extra money for myself.  

 

Rather than dealing with the hassle of international income tax and all the paperwork involved, I decided to use the books as a means of encouraging people to donate to charity – sort of a ‘pay it forward’ type of thing.  I’d give readers a free book and in turn I asked them to donate to an animal shelter or food bank.

 

That’s been my ‘plan’ for the past five years.  However, I am going to be charging for this next book and, perhaps, for a few of the older ones.  I’m close to retirement, the cost of living is going up, my nice pension isn’t going to stretch as far as it might have in other economic times.  Also, my local animal shelter is in desperate need of a new building and I’m hoping to be able to help in some meaningful way by raising money with my books.

 

 

What is your favorite genre to write?

I’m a romance fan.  I try to throw in a hint of suspense or action, some angst and, quite often, a paranormal twist

 

Is there a genre you would love to write in, but is out of your comfort zone?

Hmm….  I’m not sure.  I suppose it would be a historical or period piece.  I hate research and stories set in the past require a lot of background knowledge.  I’m sure someone would be pointing out that I hadn’t done my homework and had historical inaccuracies littering the tale!

 

Out of the books you haven wrote, which is your favorite?

That’s a hard one.  Each story is my favourite when I start writing it…and by time I’m done a book, I usually hate it because I’ve read it over so many times!  I suppose it would be Forever In Time because it is the first book I ever wrote.

Other than writing, what are some of your hobbies?
I have very eclectic tastes and dabble in a bit of everything.  Daytripping, going down little side roads and seeing where they lead is one of my favourite activities.  I love being out in nature, sitting by the water, walking in the woods or working in my garden.  I like music and singing.  I enjoy drawing and painting and dabbling with computer graphics.  I watch old movies and musicals (Cary Grant, Bing Crosby – the era) and enjoy going to live theatre a few times a year.  When I have the time between books, I read and bake and have tried my hand at crocheting and refinishing furniture.  About the only thing I’m not interested in is sports!

What is your favorite book, or one of your favorites?
Another tough one – I think I’ll cheat and tell you some series I enjoy instead, lol!  I loved the Harry Potter series and the Anne of Green Gables books.  The Amelia Peabody mysteries by Elisabeth Peters are fantastic and I actually own them all in hard cover.  I also enjoy the Shadowlands series by Cherise Sinclair and anything by S.C. Stephens is a ‘must read’.
If you could travel anywhere, where would it be?

Are there any book events that we may see you at this year?

Unfortunately, no. I still work full time and can’t take the time off work.  I live in Canada and most events are too far away to get to easily.  Hopefully when I retire I’ll be able to start participating.

Is there anything you would like to share about your next book?

 

I’m really excited and nervous for people to read this next book.  It’s taken a long time to write and I know my readers are chomping at the bit wondering what is happening with Damien.  Jan and I have selected a few small ‘teasers’ for you.  It was hard to find passages to share that wouldn’t be ‘spoilers’…