Wednesday Writer - Author Nichole Giles

Author: Nichole Giles and her books:

"Mormon Mishaps and Mischief"

and

"The Sharp Edge of the Knife"

Nichole Giles was born in Nevada, raised in Arizona, and graduated high school in Utah. Her early career plans included becoming a megastar actress or rock star, but she decided instead to have a family and then become a writer, in that order. Writing is her passion, but she also loves to spend time with her family, travel, drive in the rain with the convertible top down, and play music at full volume so she can sing along.

CRW: Welcome, Nichole, to Writers Mirror. It is really great to interview you today. Where do you usually do most of your writing?

Nichole: We have a den, but my kids have taken over the computer in there, so I usually opt to hide out in my bedroom with a laptop. It works for me.

CRW: Do you try to write daily, and if so, do you set a goal of a certain number of words or a certain amount of time?

Nichole: You know, I have four kids, including teenagers, so while I do write every day, that writing isn't always on a work in progress. Some days I'm happy to clean out my inbox and write blogs. But I try to make some kind of progress every day, and as long as I do that, I feel like I'm moving forward.

CRW: What gets in your way of writing?

Nichole: My kids, our schedule, the other parts of life like laundry and making dinner. But I will say that I often give up sleep in order to find a few minutes for writing.

CRW: How do you get past it?

Nichole: Sometimes, I don't sleep. Other times, I write on a notebook while I'm on the go. One of these days I hope to hire a housekeeper to take care of my house while I write--but until then, I take things one day at a time.

CRW: What makes you CRAZY about writing?

Nichole: Crazy as in I love it or crazy as in drives me nuts?

CRW: You choose.

Nichole: I love writing because it's a great channel for emotions, and because I get to live in another world for a little while every day. But it sometimes drives me crazy when I have characters having conversations in my head while I'm trying to concentrate on other things.

CRW: Where is the weirdest place you have worked on a writing project?

Nichole: I've been known to edit at half time during soccer games, and have also worked on things in airports and on planes.

CRW: How long does it take you to complete a book?

Nichole: It depends on the book. I work on several projects at a time, and usually an entire book takes me between a year and two years to complete and edit. But I'm talking from conception to conclusion and everything in between.

CRW: Where do you get your ideas for your books?

Nichole: From everything in life. Look around! The world is full of ideas.

CRW: Where do you get your character’s names?

Nichole: Some of them come to me already named. But when they don't, I have a huge character naming book that I pour through until I've found just the right names.

CRW: What is your favorite writing food?

Nichole: It depends on the day. Sometimes it's chocolate, but sometimes black licorice.

CRW: Tell us about your books.

Nichole: Mormon Mishaps and Mischief is an anthology of 200 short stories about the silly things people do in and around church meetings and activities. It's available everywhere LDS Books are sold.

The Sharp Edge of a Knife is based on the true story of my grandpa, who was kidnapped in 1958 by two convicts on the run. The men planned to kill him, but through his faith and spiritual promptings he managed to change the outcome of the experience. This book is available on Amazon, and will hopefully make it into stores soon.

CRW: Who are your publishers?

Nichole: Mormon Mishaps and Mischief was published by Cedar Fort, Inc. And The Sharp Edge of a Knife by Golden Wings Enterprises.

CRW: Please give us your best “Elevator Pitch” for one of your books.

Nichole: When Mel Petersen leaves for work on the morning of February 7, 1958, he has no idea what awaits him when he picks up a pair of young men who appear to be college students. What Mel doesn’t know is that the men are actually convicts on the run, who are desperate to get away by any means necessary. When one of his passengers holds a knife to Mel’s throat, he has no choice but to submit to the demands of the criminals. Mel hopes he has what it takes to talk his captors into letting him live, but fears they will kill him before he has the chance.

CRW: Why are you a writer? Loaded question I know since you need to state it in only a few sentences.

Nichole: Because I love literature, I love creating mental pictures, and because it's the only way to silence the voices in my head.

CRW: Who do you hope reads your work?

Nichole: Everyone who might find something valuable in it. And possibly a few people who will read it just for the sake of enjoyment.

CRW: What would be the best complement you could receive from a fan?

Nichole: Oh wow. Um, how about something like, "Your book helped me..."

CRW: Where can we read more about you or contact you, such as website or blog sites?

Nichole: My blog is www.nicholegiles.blogspot.com, and my website is www.nicholegiles.com.

CRW: Thank you for sharing this with us on Wednesday Writers.

Nichole: Thanks for having me. I enjoyed this interview.

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