Ask the Author: Nikki Moore
Answered Questions (2)
Nikki Moore
I've just delivered two short novella length summer stories to my lovely editor and am now finishing off my next full length book, Picnics in Hyde Park. I'm really excited; the cover is gorgeous and I'm really enjoying writing it. It's a bit different to my debut novel with HarperImpulse - Crazy,Undercover,Love - as it's currently in third person and contains both the male and female characters' points of view. Whereas Crazy... was first person POV and all from Charley, the heroine's perspective.
Picnics... originally started off as 'The Nanny's Revenge,' and was a finalist in Novelicious Undiscovered 2012.
This book is about Zoe Harper, who returns to the UK after five years in America, following a break up with her fiancé. On landing, she finds her sister's life in ruins at the hands of the Reilly brothers, so she hatches a plot for revenge which involves moving in with famous music producer Matt Reilly, and his two children. But of course it turns out to be a little bit more complicated than she planned...
Picnics... originally started off as 'The Nanny's Revenge,' and was a finalist in Novelicious Undiscovered 2012.
This book is about Zoe Harper, who returns to the UK after five years in America, following a break up with her fiancé. On landing, she finds her sister's life in ruins at the hands of the Reilly brothers, so she hatches a plot for revenge which involves moving in with famous music producer Matt Reilly, and his two children. But of course it turns out to be a little bit more complicated than she planned...
Nikki Moore
I'm by no means an expert - despite writing seriously for four years before being published, I still feel I have a lot to learn - but I'm more than happy to share my thoughts, and could honestly talk about this subject for hours! So here are my top five tips...
1) Write that first draft.
Be disciplined and keep going until that book/short story/novella etc is done. I don't care what it takes, if you have to tie yourself to a chair or ignore your nearest and dearest for months, just get it finished!
2) Write about what you love.
… not what you think the latest fad will be. Tell stories you're passionate about and your enthusiasm will translate to the page and to your readers.
3) Get constructive criticism of your work.
Treat it like gold dust but also add in a massive pinch of salt (yes, I know I'm mixing my metaphors)! Be grateful for the advice given to you -perhaps from another author, a writers' circle, creative writing tutor or the Romantic Novelists Association New Writers' Scheme - but don't follow all advice/suggestions slavishly. At the end of the day it's your story so you need to be comfortable with any changes, and know that they're going to make it better. If in doubt put the story and the advice/critique aside for a little while and then come back and consider both with fresh eyes before deciding what to do.
4) DON'T send that first draft out (in a rush).
Polish your manuscript until it shines, and is the best it possibly can be, before sending it out AND make your submission targeted and timely, following the guidelines of that particular agent or publisher (oops, I snuck two points into that one!)
5) Never give up
Don't let bad writing days or rejections stop you. Grow a thick skin and keep on going. Believe in your writing, and yourself. You can be a published author one day – good luck!
1) Write that first draft.
Be disciplined and keep going until that book/short story/novella etc is done. I don't care what it takes, if you have to tie yourself to a chair or ignore your nearest and dearest for months, just get it finished!
2) Write about what you love.
… not what you think the latest fad will be. Tell stories you're passionate about and your enthusiasm will translate to the page and to your readers.
3) Get constructive criticism of your work.
Treat it like gold dust but also add in a massive pinch of salt (yes, I know I'm mixing my metaphors)! Be grateful for the advice given to you -perhaps from another author, a writers' circle, creative writing tutor or the Romantic Novelists Association New Writers' Scheme - but don't follow all advice/suggestions slavishly. At the end of the day it's your story so you need to be comfortable with any changes, and know that they're going to make it better. If in doubt put the story and the advice/critique aside for a little while and then come back and consider both with fresh eyes before deciding what to do.
4) DON'T send that first draft out (in a rush).
Polish your manuscript until it shines, and is the best it possibly can be, before sending it out AND make your submission targeted and timely, following the guidelines of that particular agent or publisher (oops, I snuck two points into that one!)
5) Never give up
Don't let bad writing days or rejections stop you. Grow a thick skin and keep on going. Believe in your writing, and yourself. You can be a published author one day – good luck!
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