Today we are going to talk with indie author Nyla K, author of the scintillating trilogy of Midnight City, Never Let Me Go, and Always Yours. This queen of romance is also a fellow member of Indie Author Central and a woman I am proud to call friend!
Writing Related:
1. When did you know writing was what you wanted to do?
In high school, I was always very good at writing. My favorite thing in class would be to grade the other students’ papers, because things like spelling, grammar and punctuation came very easy for me. I was also very good at writing essays, and at the time I wrote for our town newspaper. In college, I studied Communications and Print Journalism, thinking I would attempt a job as a magazine writer. However, the print media industry was declining at the time, so I began to focus my studies more on Marketing and Advertising. It wasn’t until about five years ago that I even considered writing fiction. It sort of just happened and now I can’t imagine doing anything else.
2. What is your work schedule like when you’re writing?
Well, I have a full-time day job, as the Supervisor of the Business Development for the Service Department at a corporate Mercedes-Benz dealership in Manhattan. It is a very stressful and time-consuming job, so my options to get, as I call it, “author-stuff” done while I’m here is limited. I actually wrote a majority of my first three books during work hours, but then I got promoted so there goes that idea haha! Anyway, all of my writing must be done either on the train to and from work, at home in the evenings, or on weekends, which is difficult because I also need that time to promote, read, handle my social media, and what was that other thing again? Oh right, that’s it… HAVE A LIFE! It’s not possible. I have three full-time jobs and no time, so this is my life.
3. Where do you get your inspiration for your books?
Usually the ideas jus come to me. I’ve never actually sat down and tried to come up with an idea for a book. They just pop into my head, and at this point I have at least eight more outlines ready and waiting to be written. I’ll be good for at least the next year or so.
4. If you had to give up either snacks and drinks during writing sessions, or music, which would you find more difficult to say goodbye to?
Snacks and drinks because I don’t eat at all when I’m working, and the only thing I drink are a few sips of Gatorade here and there haha. But music I need. If I’m home alone and it’s quiet, I’m fine. But if literally anyone is around me I need headphones and loud music.
5. If you had the opportunity to live anywhere in the world for a year while writing a book that took place in that same setting, where would you choose?
Right now I would choose Dublin. We [my fiance and I] visited Ireland for the first time in 2017 and we became obsessed. We both want to live there now, and I think I could write some pretty solid stuff living in a nice loft outside Dublin City Centre 🙂
6. How do you come up with names for your characters
Hmm… That’s a toughie lol. I don’t really know. Those kind of just come to me as well. My first series originated as The Walking Dead fanfiction, so the names of the characters are all loosely based on the actors in that show lol. But any others, I just think of names I like and my mind does the rest.
7. Who is the most supportive person in your life when it comes to your writing?
My mom. I would say my fiance, but I can tell he’s often looking at me like I’m working too hard, and he probably wishes I would dial it back and pay a little more attention to him. Men are so needy sometimes LOL. But my mom is fully supportive. She knows this is something that will truly fulfill my life and she just wants to see me succeed.
8. How do you think being a writer has helped you as a person?
It has literally changed my life, for one. I went through some bad times before I moved to New York City, and when I got here, I finally felt free. But with freedom comes a moment when you look around and say, “Ok. What next?” I spent my free time reading for the first time in years, and then all of a sudden, my imagination was running wild. There were all these storylines in my head, and I just had to get them out. As soon as I started writing, I didn’t look back. I had found my bliss, and my purpose in life, and now it’s my job to hone my artistic abilities and make something out of them. Also, I believe that finding happiness unleashes a lot of other positives in your life that were hidden away. I have more confidence now, I’m more assured of who I am, I take less shit from people. I’m just a generally more well-rounded person, all thanks to being a writer.
9. As a writer, what would you choose as your mascot/avatar/spirit animal?
I always say this, but I feel like a unicorn. I might even try to put one in my logo somehow (if anyone steals that I’ll come after you!) I’m not really sure why I just love them. They’re magical, mystical, and beautiful. People say they’re not real, but I totally think they are! Or at least they were.
10. What is your favorite childhood book?
Ohhhh man, there were so many. Actual kid’s books that I remember loving so much were the Frog and Toad books. I bought one a few years back to give to my kids someday. Or my nephews, we’ll see! Also in elementary school I loved Wayside School Stories and Goosebumps.
Non-Writing Related:
1. What’s your favorite ’90s jam?
That’s an IMPOSSIBLE question. I was raised on nineties music so I love it all. Don’t Look Back in Anger by Oasis, All Apologies Nirvana, Say You’ll Be There Spice Girls, How’s It Gonna Be Third Eye Blind… there are so many more. Stop.
2. You’ve been given an elephant. You can’t give it away or sell it. What would you do with the elephant?
Ride it to South America and leave it with some more elephants. There are elephants somewhere in South America, right? Plus I’d get some pretty amazing experiences out of riding an elephant for thousands of miles through multiple countries.
3. A penguin walks through that door right now wearing a sombrero. What does he say and why is he here?
“Hola! Me llamo Senor Penguin! Cuando es… Ugh. I’m sorry. I don’t really speak Spanish. I got kicked out of a mariachi band at the bar around the corner because they found out I lied about being Mexican, and really I just need you to point me in the direction of the nearest zoo. I’m over this shit.”
4. If you were a tree, what kind of tree would you be and why?
A willow tree! Because I love willow trees.
5. If you had to be shipwrecked on a deserted island, but all your human needs—such as food and water—were taken care of, what two items would you want to have with you?
This is going to be the most annoying cliche writer answer ever, but an unlimited paper notebook and unlimited ink pen. Haha! But only because I know I could write as many stories as I need to keep me satisfied and just keep reading all of my own stories, which I honestly love to do already. I mean, what else could I possibly need??!
6. Would you rather fight one horse-sized duck, or 100 duck-sized horses?
100 duck-sized horses because at least I could try to kick them away! A horse-sized duck?! Imagine the size of the beak on that thing! Jeez.
7. If there was a movie produced about your life, who would play you and why?
Lady Gaga. Because she’s a boss, and I have been told I slightly resemble her. 😉
8. If you were to trade places someone else for one month, living or dead, famous or not, fictional or real, whom would you like that person to be?
OMG omg ok. I have a really good one, but it’s going to make me sound SO creepy. But here we go… Don’t judge me. I would trade places with singer/composer Amelia Warner, also known as Jamie Dornan’s wife. I think you can probably guess why…. *hangs head in shame, but then shrugs it off because I mean, come on.*
9. If you could pick one food to eat for the rest of your life, what would you choose and why?
Tacos. Because… tacos.
10. If you were a tree, what kind of tree would you be and why?
Are you asking me this again in hopes I’ll change my answer?? You can’t censor me! I’m a willow tree, dammit! Just let me be who I am!
About the Author:
I love reading all kinds of fiction, although I have a passion for the dirty, smutty, taboo, and almost any other kind of romantic, erotic, love story. My books are not for the faint of heart. Meaning that I’m still getting used to being able to look people in the eye after they tell me they’ve read my book. But it’s a work in progress.
I like my books sexy, funny, light-hearted, dramatic, relevant, and often boundary-pushing. The thing I love most about books is that they help us to escape from the stresses and turmoil of our lives, and hop into a different time/place/reality. Reading broadens our horizons and opens our minds. That’s what I set out to do with my writing.
That being said, I also like writing (and reading) books with a little substance. In my books, there may be insta-love and happy endings, but the characters also deal with real, raw emotions and turmoil. My books allow the reader to experience realistic, potentially dark events alongside the characters, while also providing a sensual escape from real life.
If that makes any sense… It kind of sounds like a big fat contradiction lol.
But I guess you’ll need to read them to see what I’m talking about ;)connecting with other authors and readers.
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