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N. D. Hansen-Hill (a.k.a. Melody Knight) |
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N.D.’s 18Q |
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The Eighteen Questions |
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18Q |
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As N. D. Hansen-Hill
As Melody Knight |
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1. Did you choose the writing profession or did it choose you? I didn't actually select the writing profession. When the day came when a visit to the library left me frustrated, I decided to write what I wanted to read. I was as shocked as anyone when that first chapter became a book, and when it became a series? Let's just say I was afraid to stop, for fear this burst of creative energy was merely a fluke <G>! 2. What is your background? (education, work, etc.) Jack of all trades - I've installed irrigation systems on golf courses and at bowling clubs, been a Montessori teacher, a nurses' aide, a warehouse person, a champagne lady at the San Francisco Opera House, done landscape contracting, landscape design, had a plant propagation nursery, had a goat milk dairy, a duck egg business (Just Ducky: "you won't find a quack in our eggs"), raised award winning pigs and calves, and managed a large apple orchard. On the education side of things, I've studied at postgrad level in plant pathology/virology and archaeology. 3. When did you 'know' you were a writer? I think anyone who enjoys reading has the potential to be a writer. The only difference between the writer and non-writer is self-discipline, a love for research, and sometimes, being able to imagine bizarre scenarios and back them up with a little lateral thinking. 4. How would you describe your style of writing? Action-packed. I write thrillers, edgy, suspenseful treks to keep readers on the edge of their seats, yet hopefully, interject enough humor and realism so readers can identify with their characters. 5. What is your writing process? Get up at 4 a.m. and work six to eight hours a day. I glean an idea, then do a tremendous amount of research to develop it. I rarely plot or do character sketches ahead of time. 6. What was your path to publication? I wrote six books in one fantasy series, and sent the first one away to a movie company. They were more interested in seeing something in science fiction, so I penned Light Play. That was my first published book. After that, I rewrote the fantasy series and the same publisher picked it up as well. 7. What is your favorite self-marketing idea? I think it would have to be group chats. I love interacting with readers, and when it comes to ebooks, this offers an opportunity to access the impulse buyer market, that the author might not otherwise have if his/her books are not in many bookstores. 8. What are the biggest surprises you've encountered as a writer? That I can actually write a full-sized novel in twenty-eight days. Mind blowing… 9. How do you inspire yourself? What are your sources of creativity? I research on such sites as Live Science, and Discovery. I also access university databases, and read the latest research. From these a grain of an idea can grow into a full-blown crystal. 10. What is your proudest writer moment? Reading my first novel to my family, and hearing their feedback. It ranks up there with holding by first published paperback. 11. What's the best advice you were given about writing? Don't give up. I consider abandoning my craft on a regular basis, and frequently wonder what madness makes me persist, LOL! 12. What is your most embarrassing writer moment? I sent off my first novel to a publisher and assumed it would be published. I told everyone I knew I was waiting for the contract, and had even written a budget for the royalties I assumed I'd be getting, based on my research! How naive is that? It still makes me cringe a little, and laugh a lot. 13. What business challenges have you faced as a writer? Promotion and development of a brand is very difficult. It requires hours of reading and research to come up with a marketing plan, and put it into practice. 14. What is your writer life philosophy? Act, don't think. If you allow yourself to think of all the reasons you shouldn't succeed, can't compete, and can't possibly make it as a writer, you won't. Better to act. Get busy and just do it. 15. When you're not writing what do you do for fun? Spend time with my family, my pets, read, paint. I love watching SF DVDs. Great stuff! 16. Who do you like to read? Michael Crichton is a favorite, as are Cussler and Elkins. I love intelligent action/adventure. 17. What's your advice for new writers? Keep writing. Don't hang on acceptances/rejections of a single title. Keep going. You'll only get better. 18. What are you currently working on? Novellas, at the moment. I have a dark museum tale, an erotic romance, and a werewolf novella in progress. |
