The Author Spotlight will focus on a different author every few weeks – it may feature an experienced writer who has a long history of published books, or a new author who is destined to be a future star. Today our Author Spotlight will be on Nick Wilgus. You can keep in touch with Nick at the links following the interview!

Author Spotlight: Nick Wilgus

First off, I want to thank Nick for taking the time to answer these questions for me. Please feel free to leave any questions you may have in the comment section below!

 

ABOUT THE BOOKS:

What is the title of your newest or upcoming book?

Stones in the Road

What publisher is this book being published by?

Dreamspinner Press

What is the publication date?

1/30/2015

Stones in the Road

Purchase links: Amazon / Dreamspinner

 

THE INTERVIEW QUESTIONS:

Tell us a little bit about yourself!

I live just outside of Tupelo, Mississippi, the birthplace of Elvis, in an old house in the woods on the shore of a small lake. Having traveled all over the world and lived in several major cities, I am content with a quiet, country life. By day, I do graphic design. By night, I write about imaginary people doing imaginary things. I don’t think I’ve been quite as content!

Can you give the readers a brief summary of your latest book?

Gay marriage is one thing. In-laws quite another!

What genre does it fall in?

Contemporary Romance

Will you share a few words about your latest book, other than the usual blurb?

North meets South as Jackson’s parents travel from Boston to Tupelo, Mississippi to meet their son’s fiance, Wiley Cantrell, and Wiley’s son Noah. As it turns out, putting crazy on the porch isn’t just a Southern thing.

Give us a little insight into your main characters! Who are they?

Wiley and Jackson are a study in the idea that opposites attract. While they love each other very much, their differences are very real and sometimes very difficult to reconcile. Yet they both want to come together and create a loving home for Wiley’s son, Noah.

Will we be seeing these characters again any time soon? Is this book part of a series?

Yes. This is the sequel to Shaking the Sugar Tree.

Tell us a little bit about your writing style. When and where is your favorite time/place to write?

Early morning when the world is quiet and folks don’t mess with me!

What sort of book do you enjoy reading in your free time? What was the last book you read? Did you enjoy it?

I’m currently reading Joe Baegaent’s Deer Hunting with Jesus, which is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand what’s going on in the world of Red States.

Did you always know you wanted to be a writer? Have you held any interesting jobs while you worked on your books?

From the time I sat in my tree house writing bad poetry, I knew I wanted to be a writer. I’ve always had a day job, though. I’ve done everything from working as a newspaper editor to running a checkstand at Kroger. Each job, each thing I’ve done, has given me greater insight into the human condition, into how folks actually live and breathe. I think it’s essential for a writer to be out there, in the world, and not just sitting at a keyboard somewhere.

What does your writing process look like?

Messy! I can’t plot. Can’t do it. I start with a scene in my mind, and I go from there, and the characters will either start talking to me about what they want to see happen, or the whole thing will fall flat and I will move on to something else. I’ve come to the conclusion that if what I’m writing doesn’t interest me, it won’t interest others. If I can’t be interested enough to finish it, others won’t care to read it. I didn’t understand that in my younger years and invested way too much time and energy in projects that weren’t working. I’ve also learned to loosen up and trust what the characters have to say. If I try to impose my agenda, they lose interest. They want to do what they want to do, and they have shown themselves to always be right.

Why did you choose to write GLBTQ romance? Why not another genre?

Actually, I do write in other genres. I’ve done fantasy titles, murder mysteries, a horror novel. I find it difficult to stick with one genre. This can be confusing to readers, who enjoy one thing you’ve done but then find your other genre books very different, but I can’t help it. I don’t want to write Southern comedies and nothing else, or murder mysteries only. There are things you can do in a horror novel that you can’t do in a romance. I tend to be all over the place.

One last questions…totally unrelated to books! I am a passionate foodie. Is there one thing in your pantry that you would be horrified for people to know that you eat?

Instant coffee. It’s a habit I picked up when I lived overseas. I’m sorry, I just don’t have time to make a pot of coffee! I’m also partial to chilli mac, but I didn’t tell you that.

Thankyou so much for answering my questions. I think my readers will enjoy learning more about you! Good luck in your future writing!

KEEP IN TOUCH WITH THE AUTHOR:

Find out more about Nick by visiting the author’s website. You can also check out their profile on Goodreads or follow on Facebook.