Monday, January 9, 2012

Nicki J Markus,Day-Walker. Author Interview and Book Giveaway!


When Darci meets a mysterious stranger, she is instantly smitten. Will is the perfect gentleman and seems to be everything she has been waiting for. But Will has a terrifying secret and soon Darci finds herself in grave peril. Will her love for him give her the strength she’ll need to prevail against overwhelming odds?
Will is drawn to Darci from the moment she steps onto the stage. He knows he shouldn’t approach her, knows his secret could put her in danger if he gets too close. But he also realizes that he cannot live without her. When his enemies learn of Darci’s existence and emerge from the shadows, Will must fight to save the woman he loves… even though it may require the ultimate sacrifice.

For creatures are stirring in the darkness; creatures that long to infiltrate the light.
Author Interview
Please welcome Nicki J Markus to the blog today!
Could you tell us a little about yourself?

I was born in UK in 1982 but I moved to Australia in 2007. I was here backpacking when I met a guy and I never went home. Corey and I got married in October 2011 and I am now settled into life in Adelaide. In England I trained in translation (French and German), but since the move I have changed direction a little and am currently studying for diplomas in editing and publishing.

Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?

I have always loved books and reading and from a young age I would write my own stories. Over the years I've had dreams and ambitions that came and went, but writing is one that has always stuck with me. I just love the power of the written word.

Which authors influenced you before you became an author yourself?

Well, I've always loved the classics and I read through a lot of them in my teens. Those books and authors are ones that stick with me. In terms of paranormal romance though, I'd say some of my influences would be: Chelsea QuinnYarbro, Charlaine Harris and Anne Rice. I'm also a huge fan of writers as diverse as Tolkien, Dante, Murakami and Kundera.

What surprised you the most about the writing/publishing process?

The amount of work that is needed after the book is finished and accepted. Marketing is more time consuming than writing the piece and I am still trying to work my way around that side of things, figuring out what it right for me and what methods will get the best results.

How do you develop your plots and characters? Do you use a set formula?

No, I never use a formula when plotting and creating characters. Usually an idea or a character will just come to me and then I'll play around with different possibilities in my mind until I have enough basis to start writing. My writing style is very fluid and I don't always know how a story will end when I start it - it just depends how things develop.

In Twitter fashion, use 140 characters or less, sum up Day-Walker for us.

Day-Walker is a paranormal romance with love, action, a beautiful woman, a dashing vampire hero and a dose of sunlight.

How did you come up with a story with such a whirl of events?

My initial idea was this: If a vampire could walk in the sunlight, what would other vampires do to obtain that skill for themselves? Darci was a character I'd already had at the back of my mind and I was just waiting for an opportunity to use her. When Will came to me, she just seemed to fit right in and things grew from there. Again, thr story took off on its own once I started writing and I just followed where it led.

What do you have to do to prepare yourself for writing? Do you have a routine you like to follow? Certain music that you like to listen to?

I have to answer emails etc first. If I don't my mind keeps flitting back to them when I am trying to write. So I get all my online housekeeping out of the way, grab a drink of water or a cup of tea and then settle down to work. I don't have a set time for writing as my routine varies but I find I do better work in the afternoons. I am a huge music fan but I prefer to have silence when I am writing as if I have music on I am likely to start singing along and get no writing done!!

How did you come up with the character Darci?

Darci has some elements of me, I must admit. I had a period of time when I hoped to be a professional singer and she is living out that career for me. As she grew in my mind she broke away from me and took on a life of her own though. I'm not sure I'd be as brave as her. I wanted her to be strong so that she was a suitable match for Will. I hate insipid women in paranormal romance.

I must ask, if you could chose one actor to portray Will on the big screen, who would it be and why?

Hmm, that's a hard one. I can almost see someone like Jackson Rathbone (and he has vampire experience). Or if you were to go for someone with a slightly more 'mature' look, I guess maybe Aidan Turner (who also has vampire experience) or Misha Collins (I may be a bit biased here as I adore Misha!)

When you're not writing, what do you like to do to pass the time?

Oh I have so many interests! I read a lot, of course. I also love going to the theatre and cinema, playing music, writing to my many pen pals, spending time with my husband, travelling and learning languages.....

Just for fun, what's the next book that you are just dying to get your hands on?

Well, Chelsea Quinn Yarbro's new Saint Germain novel Commedia della Mortecomes out in March, so I am eagerly awaiting that one!

Thanks Nicki J Markus for stopping by WVR today! It's always fun and interesting to learn about the authors we read! I hope our readers enjoyed themselves as much as I did.
Thanks for having me!




One lucky person will win a PDF copy of Day-Walker. The contest is open for one week. Please leave a comment along with your email address for Nicki J Markus!




Where to find Nicki J Markus:

Website: http://www.nickijmarkus.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/NickiJMarkus

12 comments:

Toni said...

Welcome! This sounds like an interesting story and it sounds like yours is just as interesting. Backpacking in Australia wow, sounds awesome.

Congrats on your new marriage, and I hope 2012 is filled with much happiness.

Toni
tsteinerid(gmail)

Anonymous said...

Great interview. I loved hearing how meeting your man grounded you. And the book sounds right up my alley. Thanks for the giveaway.

jbherbal at hotmail dot co dot uk :o)

booklover0226 said...

Hi, Nicki.

You're a new author for me but not for long. I look forward in reading Day-Walker and your other works; they sound great.

Thanks,
Tracey D
booklover0226 at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

I would love to read this book. Please enter me in contest. Tore923@aol.com

felinewyvern said...

I like the sound of this one and really want to read this book, so please add my name to the hat. Thank You.

felinewyvern at googlemail dot com

Unknown said...

I want to read this book.

otel_cristina@yahoo.com

Victoria said...

Sounds great. I hate insipid women in books too. Thank you for the interview and giveaway.

vsloboda(at)gmail(dot)com

Nicki J. Markus / Asta Idonea said...

Hi all and thanks for the comments.

Yes, Toni, backpacking in Australia was awesome - a really great experience. And I was so lucky to meet my hubby then too!

Good luck to everyone!

Jen B. said...

This book sounds like something I would really enjoy. Thanks for the giveaway.
jepebATverizonDOTnet

Krysykat said...

This book looks very read-worthy :) I need to add it to my TBR list.

Morganlafey86(at)aol(dot)com

Denise Z said...

Perhaps everyone needs a little Day-Walker in their life :) Thank you for sharing about what sounds like a very interesting read and taking the time to share this interview with us today. I would love to win a copy of this book. Sometimes when we travel around the world we find that very special someone and what an adventure our lives become:)
dz59001[at]gmail[dot]com

Read Between the Lines said...

book sounds awesome count me in
berrylicious_cutie(at)hotmail(.)com

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