Hello and welcome to my blog, Author Interviews. My name is Fiona Mcvie.
Let’s get you introduced to everyone, shall we? Tell us your name. What is your age?
My name is Nicola Cameron, and I’m 51. Yes, I’m old.
Fiona: Where are you from?
I was born and raised in Chicago, with a brief interlude in Northwest Indiana.
Fiona: A little about your self (ie, your education, family life, etc.).
I’m married to a lovely Englishman and we have five cats our vet calls the J Crew (JJ, Jessica, Jeremy, Jemma, and Jasmine. It’s a long story…). I live in the clavicle of Texas, and I spend my days writing saucy science fiction, fantasy, and paranormal romances and my nights herding cats and making Stuff™ (mainly jewelry, although I branch out into the occasional knit hat or scarf).
Fiona: Tell us your latest news.
The third book in my Two Thrones series, Lady of Thorns, will be available on October 3rd. I’ve been describing it as, “Lady Mary Crawley from Downton Abbey goes head to head with Alan Shore from Boston Legal – and hijinks ensue!” I’ve also just finishing putting a new cover on my SF cyborg romance Degree of Resistance, and it looks great!
Fiona: When and why did you begin writing?
I’ve been writing since, gosh, third grade? My father and sister are superb verbal storytellers, and I didn’t get the verbal skill but I did get the drive to spin a good yarn. The funny thing is, my original career goal as a kid was to become a neurosurgeon. But that fell by the wayside in college when I couldn’t pass Organic Chem. I changed my major to English, and after years of working as a technical writer I sold my first short story in 1995. Haven’t looked back since.
Fiona: When did you first consider yourself a writer?
I think I’ve always considered myself a writer. I actually started putting it down on my taxes in 1995, however.
Fiona: What inspired you to write your first book?
My first published book (there are earlier books that will never see the light of day, thank God) was Storm Season (Olympic Cove 1), and the impetus for it came from my love of Greek mythology and my interest in ecology and climate change. Why, yes, I write fantasy romances with Greek Gods, hot mermen, ecological themes, nanotech, bioengineering, and Alan Turing.
Fiona: How did you come up with the title?
The story is about a widower who comes down to stay in his family’s Florida cottage for the summer and gets swept up in a divine plot to save the planet from an insane goddess. The concept of summer in Florida prompted the idea of a storm season, hence the title.
Fiona: Do you have a specific writing style? Is there anything about your style or genre that you find particularly challenging?
I would call my writing style whimsical and engaging. I like writing nuanced stories with solid worldbuilding and good plotting (and, of course, amazing romance and hot love scenes). The only drawback about this is that I always wind up in a research hole because I’m a stickler for accuracy.
Fiona: How much of the book is realistic and are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?
Since I write SF, fantasy, and paranormal romance, I would have to say that, yeah, the books aren’t really that realistic. I do occasionally sprinkle real-life events and people I know into the stories, however.
Fiona: To craft your works, do you have to travel? Before or during the process?
Not necessarily – Google Earth is a lifesaver for giving you a good idea of what a place looks like. Actually traveling to a place, of course, is even better because then you get a much better sensual feel – what does it smell like, sound like, what are the local foods, how do local people dress, act, talk, etc.
Fiona: Who designed the covers?
My Evernight covers were designed by Sour Cherry Designs, and the cover for Empress of Storms was designed by the magnificent Jay Aheer. I’ve done the covers for the rest of my self-pubbed titles myself (it helps that I’m also a graphic artist).
Fiona: Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
Respect the planet, don’t be an asshole, be excellent to each other, and if it’s not hurting someone have fun with whatever you’re doing.
Fiona: Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest? Who is your favorite writer, and what is it about their work that really strikes you?
One of my favorite romance writers is Tiffany Reisz because her plots are amazing and her descriptive sense really puts you in the scene (quite literally at times). Kage Baker, Terry Pratchett, and Charlaine Harris are some of my other favorites.
Fiona: Outside of family members, name one entity that supported your commitment to become a published author.
My writing group, Future Classics. They’re nominally a speculative fiction group, but they’ve been stellar about supporting my shift to SF/F/PN romance.
Fiona: Do you see writing as a career?
Well, that’s certainly what I put on my taxes.
Fiona: If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?
That would be Shifter Woods: Roar, and no. I’m pretty happy with the way it turned out.
Fiona: Did you learn anything during the writing of your recent book?
I’m researching irrigation methods and the economics of agriculture. And people think I’m just sitting here day after day eating bon-bons and writing about sex.
Fiona: If your book was made into a film, who would you like to play the lead?
I always mentally cast my books (it makes it easier to write them if I can “see” the action in my head, so if we’re talking Degree of Resistance I’d like Jude Law as Ben and Jessica Alba as Evie. For Lady of Thorns, I’d be happy with Aidan Gillen as Alain LaPorte and Gemma Arterton as Amelie de Clerq.
Fiona: Any advice for other writers?
Whatever it takes to get words on the page, do it. There are a million different ways to write – find the way that works for you, and if someone tells you you’re doing it wrong tell them to get knotted.
Fiona: Anything specific you want to tell your readers?
In addition to Lady of Thorns I’ll be bringing out a new Olympic Cove book and a new Pacifica Rising book this year, whee!
Fiona: What book are you reading now?
Mendoza in Hollywood by Kage Baker.
Fiona: Do you remember the first book you read?
Not really, but I remember reading Slaughterhouse-5 in second grade and horrifying my teacher when she caught me reading it at lunch.
Fiona: What makes you laugh/cry?
Laugh: British humor. Cry: where do I even begin…
Fiona: Is there one person, past or present, you would love to meet? Why?
Lewis Carroll, because he was a wonderful writer and a fascinating man.
Fiona: Do you have any hobbies?
I have a running joke that I am Jo-Ann’s bitch. Knitting, crocheting, miniatures, jewelry making, plush dolls, quilting – I have SO many hobbies it’s ridiculous.
Fiona: What TV shows/films do you enjoy watching?
Westworld (a big shout out here to Louis Herthum for inspiring my Pacifica Rising series), Game of Thrones, Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell, Doctor Who, Outlander, Sherlock, pretty much any MCU superhero movie, and anything with Michael Fassbender in it.
Fiona: Favorite foods, colors, music?
Food: pizza, which is a shame because I can’t really eat it anymore
Color: Red and green
Music: Anything I can dance to
Fiona: Imagine a future where you no longer write. What would you do?
Learn how to paint like a Dutch Master.
Fiona: What do you want written on your head stone?
Here lies Nicola Cameron.
Now go buy her books.
Fiona: Do you have a blog or website readers can visit for updates, events and special offers?
http://www.nicolacameronwrites.com
Degree of Resistance: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N2A25GG
Palace of Scoundrels: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LX44RKS
Amazon Author page: https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00AIE4RAC