Author John Nicholl Interview
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| John Nicholl, the author of "The Sisters" |
An ex-police officer, child protection social worker and lecturer John Nicholl is a bestselling author of ten psychological thrillers. His eleventh novel is soon going to be published. After leaving his job heading up child protection services, he started writing. His works are set in the UK. You can expect a strong welsh flavour in his writing. The realistic handling of plots makes his novels relatable. Skilled in manipulating human psychology, Nicholl puts souls in his characters who are ordinary people with feelings and emotions, so we feel connected. Though, besides his writing skills, John Nicholl inspires Book Island as a person. He is an extremely responsible and punctual person. Book Island respects John Nicholl for his generosity. Here, he answers twenty questions that reveal a little bit about him as a person as well as an author.
1. Please introduce yourself.
My name is John Nicholl. I’m married, live in Wales, and have three adult children and two grandchildren.
2. Which genre (Crime, Fantasy, Sci-fi etc.) and category (Children, YA, NA, Adult etc.) do you write? And why?
I write darkly psychological thrillers which draw on my experiences as a police officer and child protection social worker. My eleventh book will be published in July.
3. When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
It happened almost by accident. I talked to a psychologist about the psychological impact of child protection work when she suggested writing some of my experiences down. That resulted in my first book - White is the Coldest Colour.
4. As a child, did you always want to be an Author?
No, I read a lot and enjoyed English at school, but I hadn’t thought of becoming an author.
5. At which age you come into writing?
It all happened in my 50s.
6. What made you think you should write?
Once I’d written the first book, I felt driven to write others. I would miss it if I stopped. It’s become a big part of my life.
7. How long do you take to finish a book?
The longest, my first, took 2 yrs, the quickest, in lockdown, 6 wks. The usual for me is about 6 months.
8. At which hour of the day you enjoy writing?
I write in the morning, listening to music.
9. Do you type or prefer a pen and paper?
I use my laptop.
10. Where do you write?
I write at the dining room table, but we’re having a garden office built at the moment.
11. Who are some authors that inspire you?
There are so many. I love the works of Kurt Vonnegut and Paulo Coelho.
12. How did you get published?
I self-published my first book. When that sold better than I could have hoped, I signed with a literary agent and then got a publishing deal.
13. How many books have you written yet? Pick one as your favourite (mention why?)
My tenth book was published in October. It’s called The Sisters, and tells the story of a group of female domestic violence survivors who seek their own form of justice when the legal system lets them down. I think it’s my favourite at the moment because it’s particularly topical in today’s world.
14. What is your preferred writing tense and perspective?
It varies from book to book. Book number 11 is written in the first person.
15. Are you a plotter, pantser or plantser?
The plot develops as I write it.
16. What elements, according to you, make a story great?
I write from experience, address what I consider critical social issues, and do that within a fast-paced, suspenseful story.
17. What inspires you to write?
I enjoy the creative process.
18. Apart from writing, what do you like to do?
Film, reading, travel, yoga, and wild swimming.
19. A surprising lesson you have learned through your journey of writing?
Don’t be too sensitive to criticism. Not even God can please everyone.
20. Mention two reviews (one positive one negative) of your books that you can never forget.
I enjoyed your review because it was so creative and original. Negative thoughts don’t stick in my mind.
