Today I have the pleasure of interviewing Annalisa Nicole!
Please take a moment to get to know her with me!
INTERVIEW
What name(s) do you write under?
I write under the pen name Annalisa Nicole.
If you write under a pseudonym, what helped you choose that name?
My dad actually picked the name. I write contemporary romance and he’s one of my biggest supporters but for obvious reasons I don’t want him to read them, so this helped him feel a part of my journey. Nicole is the name he wanted to name me at birth but my mother won in that department.
Where are you from?
I was born and raised in Michigan where I met and married my husband. In 2001 we moved to California. We have been married for almost 18 years and we have two teenage sons. Our oldest is 16 and the youngest 14.
What is the name of your most recent or upcoming release?
On September 29th Fighting Chance – Running Into Love Book 4 comes out. I’m honored to have been able to publish four books in one year!
Can you give us an idea of what the story is about?
Each book in the Running Into Love series is about one of the five Wellington siblings and how they physically “Run Into Love” each book can be read as a standalone, but I suggest starting from book one just so you have everyone else’s story.
What genre is it?
I write contemporary romance.
Where can we find it?
All of my books are available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, iBooks and they are available in a bookstore where I live in California. You can also order signed copies from my website
When did you start writing, and when did it turn professional?
In 2012 after I read the Fifty Shades books I started reading a lot of contemporary romance. Stories kept coming to me and with the encouragement from my sister-in-law and my husband I decided to start writing. I entered Take A Chance in the Amazon Breakthrough Author contest in Jan of 2013. I didn’t make it past the three hundred word synopsis part. So I decided to look into publishing it myself. I was opened up to the “Indie” author world and I haven’t looked back! I love what I do. In October 2013 I published my first book Take A Chance. I February of 2014 I published I’ll Take A Chance and in June of 2014 I published Second Chance.
What is your writing process?
I have a 2K a day writing goal. I read what I wrote the day before and I usually end up adding a few hundred words to that then I attack my daily goal.
Do you use an outline, fly by the "seat of your pants" or some other method?
Both. I have notes written in a ringed index card book. I add in new scenes as they come to me and flip the index card when I’ve written that scene to see what I have planned next. New scenes come to me all the time though. The book I’m writing now though so far has been by the seat of my pants. I’m very organized and kind of OCD type person so this seat of the pants thing is a new one for me.
What or who inspired you to being writing?
Reading the Fifty Shades books inspired me. I’ve always had a vivid imagination though. New book ideas will come to me usually when I’m in the shower or driving a car. So I have to hurry and write them down when I can.
Did you hire or use an editor prior to publishing?
Being an Indie author I have to do everything myself. I hired my own editor. It’s very important to have a really good editor.
Did you use a graphic artist to create your cover art?
I hired a graphics designer and I absolutely love her! I scour through stock photos and find the ones that speak to me. They usually don’t have everything I want so I tell her what I want and she magically makes them all happen exactly how I picture them!
If so, what helped you decide on the cover(s) of your books?
I usually don’t pick the photos until I’ve written part of the book so I have an idea of what I think they should look like and what the story is telling me it should look like.
What have you learned on your journey from writing to publishing that you think should be passed along to those interested?
This journey has been nonstop! There is so much to learn. It’s not just about writing a good story. There are editors, and cover designers, and formatters and promotional tours to consider. You need a website that you run on your own and twitter and Facebook and Pinterest and Instagram and email. Your street team and bloggers are also keys to your success. It can be really really overwhelming. You need a good support system. You need other authors that you can trust and that will help guide you along the way. I have had the fortune to come into contact with some amazing authors and we are there for each other.
I know some authors set writing goals, such as so many words per day. Do you set any goals for your stories?
I set a 2K goal for the most part M-F on Wednesday I have 5K goal. I usually don’t write or do author stuff on the weekends, I spend that time with my family.
Do you have a favorite character of your own and what makes him/her your favorite?
Every book I write that main character becomes my favorite. It happens every time!
Do you have any projects you’re working on now?
Other than writing book five I don’t have any other projects.
How do you juggle time between all your responsibilities?
I’m very fortunate to be a stay at home mom. I write and do author things while my kids are in school. When they come home from school I switch back into mom mode. Even at that things can get very overwhelming.
How do you feel about publishing in a digital age?
I love it. Digital books make getting your name out there so much easier. I love paperbacks still though. There’s nothing like getting a signed paperback from an author you love!
Do you have any blog tours or upcoming events we should know about?
I have a blog tour for A Fighting Chance running September 29th through October 3rd!
