Author Spotlight: Kat Nichols
Hello Everyone!
Today, I posted a review for "Family Secrets" by Kat Nichol! As part of the review process, I also had the opportunity to do a brief interview with the author I wanted to share.
MTG: I posted a review for your book today; tell us something about the book that is not in the summary. (About the book, character you particularly enjoyed writing etc.)
Kat: I’ve often heard authors say that the characters speak to them or take over a story, but I’d never really seen it in action until Ellen. She’s the cook at Sophia’s new home and like the maids, was meant to be more of a background character. She wanted nothing to do with that! She kept popping in and letting me know she wanted a bigger role and well, she got one.
MTG: Where do you find inspiration for your writing?
Kat: Everywhere. The books I’ve read, movies and TV shows I’ve watched, my friends and family. But sometimes inspiration just comes to me, usually when I’ve turned off the lights to go to sleep, which is one reason why I keep a notebook next to my bed. It seems those ideas always come when I’m not ready for them.
MTG: Where do you usually find yourself writing?
Kat: Again, everywhere! I’m a mom with a full time job and a son who plays three sports. I’ve been known to write on my breaks and lunch at work, and pull out my laptop at basketball practices or dentist appointments, especially if I’m under a deadline… like now.
MTG: What has been the biggest reward to your writing so far?
Kat: WOW! Tough question… I love knowing that something I’ve written is out there for anyone to read and the amazing reviews I’ve gotten so far have felt wonderful, but the biggest reward for me is that my son has seen me take chances and follow my dreams. Knowing how proud he is of me is definitely the best.
MTG: What advice would you give aspiring writers?
Kat: Keep going. Keep pushing through the blocks, and the times where you hate every word you’ve written because we’ve all been there. If possible, find yourself a good writing group to help keep you sane. If I didn’t have the Rebel Writers, I never would have finished “Family Secrets”. If you can find a good group, they will understand what you’re going through and can support you in ways even your best friends and family cannot.
MTG: Do you have a favorite book(s) and why? I know it’s often impossible to narrow it down to one, so just pick one (or a few) that is a new favorite or consistent “go-to”.
Kat: Another tough question. First and foremost, my favorite is the Harry Potter series. I came to it late, after I got a kick in the butt from my sister-in-law and I absolutely love it! I have re-read it more times than I can possibly remember. I also love my indie authors. Rachel Higginson’s Star Crossed Series is what got me into writing again, and I’ve read it multiple times. I love everything she writes. I don’t know how we got so lucky, but I am big fan of all the books written by my rebel sisters, Stormy Smith, Caylie Marcoe, Elizabeth Tuttle, Regan Claire and Theresa Kay. They write different types of books, but they’re all fantastic.
MTG: What books are you reading now?
Kat: I just finished Nikki Jefford’s “Hunting Season”, the fourth book in the Aurora Sky Vampire Hunter series and it might be my favorite in the series so far. Next up is “Bound by Spells”, which is the second book in the Bound series by Stormy Smith. I have an ARC copy and I cannot wait to get started.
MTG: Give us three “Good to Know” facts. Be creative: first job, likes/dislikes, hobbies, favorite way to unwind – whatever comes to mind.
Kat:
- I’m really shy at first, but once you get to know me, I’m a bit of a talker.
- I don’t watch a lot of TV, and only watch a couple shows regularly, but I’m addicted to Netflix and will get obsessed with shows that have been out forever. My current obsessions? House MD and Dexter.
- I don’t have any hobbies beyond reading and writing. Sometimes I think I’m going to be crafty, but I’m definitely not… like at all…
MTG: Do you have any upcoming projects?
Kat: I do! I’m halfway finished with book two in the Secret Societies collection. “Deadly Secrets” is a continuation of Sophia’s story and I plan on releasing in July or early August of this year. I also have the first chapter of a novella about Sophia’s parents up on the site, Literrater. I’d like to have it published by the end of the year.
The Secret Societies collection will continue after that but will tell the story of a different paranormal group and since they all live in the same area, the stories will intertwine. For example, people in “Deadly Secrets” will show up in later books. My goal is that each set can stand alone as a series, but you can read them all in order to fully understand what is going on with these groups and the relationships between them. The first set, Secrets, focuses on Sophia and the witches, and will consist of two full length novels and one novella.
About the Author:
Kat Nichols was born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago. The youngest of four children, she'd been known to play for hours with only a cardboard box for entertainment. Her imaginary friends had friends... and family... and even little cities to play in. As she grew older, she began to put some of these stories down on paper, rather than keeping them in her head.
Writing a novel had always been a dream for her, perhaps an item on her bucket list, but it wasn't until she joined a writing group with other aspiring writers that she finally got to work.When not writing, Kat is reading or driving her son to and from practices and wishing she was reading.It depends on the day.
Kat still lives in the suburbs of Chicago with her wonderful husband, their hilarious son and their sometimes adorable and sometimes annoying cat, Ozzie.
- Website: http://www.katnichols.com/
- Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/9854370.Kat_Nichols
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/Author_KatN