Interview and Giveaway Glimpse of Darkness by Nicole Delacroix

Can you tell readers a little bit about yourself and what inspired to write in this particular genre?

I was born in Frankfurt, Germany, my mother is a German national and my father was in the US military.  My father was military so we moved around a great deal, and making friends for me was difficult.  So my mother bought me a diary when I was 10 and I would scribble in it all the time. From that point on, I learned to live in my head and write everything down, so I guess I owe my mother for making me into a writer.  As for inspiration, I’ve always had a deep love for the paranormal and fantasy genre, so when you begin writing you write what you love.

What is it about the paranormal that fascinates you so much?

While my book doesn’t have vampires in it, I do love vampire stories and books.  I think for me I like the mystery and taboo of the subject.  In older literature, vampirism is a metaphor for intimacy, so knowing this I always let my mind wander when I read such stories.  Trying to think, how would someone from the Victorian era have viewed this?

What inspired you to write this book?

I’ve always had a fascination with angels and the story of the Nephilim.  I had been studying religious texts (for fun) and kept digging deeper into the legend.  Before I knew it I was seven books deep and could name all the listed fallen angels.  That’s when the story first began brewing.

Please tell us about your latest release.

Glimpse of Darkness is book 1 of a planned 4 book series that will follow the main characters, Daniel and Charlie, all over the world in a search for her missing father and her missing birthright.  Without giving too much away, there will be twists and turns along the way as well as an alternative history to some interesting events in history.  I’ve flushed out the story from beginning to end long before I began working on the first book, so I know exactly what will happen in each volume of the series and I know where the story ultimately ends.  My only “up in the air” item is that I was toying with the idea of making it a trilogy instead of 4 full books, so the number of volumes may change, but the story remains the same.

Do you have a special formula for creating characters' names? Do you try to match a name with a certain meaning to attributes of the character or do you search for names popular in certain time periods or regions?

I have a number of books for names, so usually I have an idea of what I’m looking for and just use the book or the internet to make a final selection.  I like using real places in my books so the internet is a huge help on that.

Was one of your characters more challenging to write than another?

I’m not sure that challenging is the word I would use, but I knew that I wanted Daniel to have certain abilities and for me I had to research every aspect of what those abilities would do to a human body.  I found the research tedious at times, but I think that once the second book comes out (where I’ll be focusing more on Daniel) the hours will have paid off.

Is there a character that you enjoyed writing more than any of the others?

I think I’m a bit of an oddball, as I tend to like the periphery characters more than the main characters.  For me, my favorite character is a tie between Fifi and Mo, they are so very distinctly different characters and their backstories were the most interesting to write.

Do you have a formula for developing characters? Like do you create a character sketch or list of attributes before you start writing or do you just let the character develop as you write?

I actually have a character questionnaire that has fifty questions.  I sort of do an interview with the character and then develop what I think they should look like.  That way I have their personality developed prior to what they look like.  I will say that limiting the questions allows some personality quirks to appear when I’m writing them, but I find a solid foundation makes it easiest for me. 

What is your favorite scene from the book? Could you share a little bit of it, without spoilers of course?

I really loved the scene where Daniel is explaining how angels don’t age and what angels really do on this planet… Here’s part of my favorite part – Daniel is the first speaker:

"Would you prefer the technical answer, like in scientific format, or would you prefer the easy answer?" He was enjoying being playful with such a serious discussion, it had been so long since he'd been so engaged by someone. She chewed her bottom lip in thought, "hmmm... I think technical with a side of scientific if you please." Daniel laughed under his breath, she really was a refreshing breath of air, she thought him crazy but here she was trying to wrap her mind around the concept. 

"Alright. Technical it is. My body and cells are not the same as yours are. In fact, the only way to explain it correctly is to think of the starfish. If it were to lose a limb it can regenerate a new one. It's not the same. If I were to lose a limb I couldn't regenerate a new one, but my cells are able to constantly regenerate themselves, in truth my cells are in a perpetual state of mitosis. The main benefit is that I can live for an indefinite period of time as long as my cells continue to regenerate. Eventually as I grow older I will start to look like I'm aging and my cells won't be able to replicate as fast. For example, I know that Sam is far older than I am and yet he still appears to be the same age as me." 

Did you find anything really interesting while researching this or another book?

I did.  I went through 7 different books on the subject and actually found a rare book that listed the names of all the angels and the different choirs.  I found it fascinating that most people believe in angels, but really don’t know much about them.  There is very little information about them in the bible itself and unless you’re a theology student, you really don’t have a clue. 

 Can these books be read as stand alones?

The first book sets the main story.  In my outline for book 2, you will gain some additional information, but if someone were to skip book 2 I think they would get the heart of the story without all the details.  I think book one and three are the heart of the story, even though book 2 will add needed backstory and there will be a few incidents in book 2 that may confuse some readers if they skip. 

Do any of your characters have similar characteristics of yourself in them and what are they?

Well I didn’t see it, but my best friend said that I was so much like Fifi that she thought I should have named her Nicole.  I didn’t see it, but after reading the book again I see that Fifi and I do share that precocious nature and a playful air.  So without choosing to do so I guess a little bit of me appears in all my characters.

Do you ever suffer from writer’s block? How do you deal with it?

I have to remember to not kick myself when I'm down. That’s how you give an invitation to writer’s block to come in and stay awhile.  A few of the tips I like to use when I’m feeling that “pause” coming on:

Take a walk
Be productive (do something else)
Write exercises (write an anecdote)
Step outside your comfort zone (write another genre)
Write a biography
Write a profile of someone you admire

Now I’ll admit in the pinch of the moment, I’ll immediately turn to Solitaire or World of Warcraft (that’s 6 hours I’ll never get back – and no one is ever ready for a raid!).   I turn off the internal editor and just write, even if it’s just something silly.  I write what I did the last time I was drunk.  (I never seem to  run out of those stories!)

Do you have any weird writing quirks or rituals?

I think most writers are creatures of habit.  I like to have a clean desk – I hate clutter around me when I work.  Beyond that, I like to listen to classical music or David Garrett when I write.  I like music without lyrics when I work.

Do you write in different genres?

I have tried my hand at non-fiction and I’m even working on a horror/ghost story at the moment.

Do you find it difficult to write in multiple genres?

Not really, in fact I find it helps me stretch my writing muscles. 

When did you consider yourself a writer?

I’m a firm believer in you dress for the job you want, so once I decided that I wanted to make some sort of living at writing, I started calling myself a writer.  It wasn’t until I finished writing my first book that I changed that term to author.

What are your guilty pleasures in life?

Chocolate, Chocolate and um… Chocolate… Oh did I mention, Chocolate?

Other than writing, what are some of your interests, hobbies or passions in life?

I'm an avid reader (what writer isn't?) and I try to read a book a week.  I'm also a huge Sci-Fi fan, so anytime there is a new SciFi movie out, I'll be first in line (Can't wait for the new Star Wars!).  Other than that, I work a full time job as an IT Professional and am excited that I'm going to be an Aunt very soon.

What was the last amazing book you read?

It’s a tie:  Jason Jones Voyages of the White Skull, Bev Stout Secrets of the Realm, and Sariah Wilson The Ugly Stepsister Strikes Back.  All three are really interesting new voices.

Where is your favorite place to read? Do you have a cozy corner or special reading spot?

I really love curling up on my couch with a nice throw and a hot cuppa Earl Grey – I’m such a closeted Brit!

What can readers expect next from you?

I’m currently working on several things.  I’m focused on book two – the sequel to Glimpse – which is titled Blind Horizon.  In addition, I kick around a ghost/horror story and a World War II story I’ve been formulating.  My pet project is a non-fiction book that focuses on bravery, tentatively titled How Brave Are You?  I’ve finished that book and am currently shopping around literary agents.

Where can readers find you on the web?

http://nicole-delacroix.com/

https://twitter.com/NicoleDelaCroix

http://nicoledelacroix.tumblr.com/

https://www.google.com/+NicoleDelacroix

http://www.amazon.com/Nicole-DelaCroix/e/B00KAAORGS/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1401404455&sr=8-1

http://www.facebook.com/writer.nicoledelacroix

Would you like to leave readers with a little teaser or excerpt from the book?

I’m happy to supply some free excerpts for people to read.  You can read the first chapter either on my website at http://nicole-delacroix.com/glimpse-of-darkness/fangiveaway/ or you can read the first two chapters here:  http://www.freado.com/book/18444/glimpse-of-darkness-volume-1-chronicles-of-the-cursed

Glimpse of Darkness

Volume 1: Chronicles of the Cursed

Nicole Delacroix

Genre: YA Paranormal/Fantasy

ISBN: 1497335930 

ISBN: 978-1497335936

ASIN: B00JWUOMIU

Number of pages: 367

Word Count: 68183

Cover Artist: Javier Charro

Amazon   BN

Book Description:

Charlene (Charlie) Bennett is a simple waitress in the wilds of Hyder, Alaska whose father has just gone missing. Isolated and alone, her fathers' disappearance is nothing new to her, but this time things are a little different.

For starters, there is a handsome stranger, Daniel that has come to town and while Charlie has never taken more than a passing interest in strangers, she has an immediate and intense attraction to this one. Secondly, she's soon to find out that this stranger isn't what he appears. He's about to throw Charlie's entire world into a major upheaval.

Now Charlie has to decide if she believes this strangers' incredible story and follow Daniel or if she wants to stay in the only home she's ever known for an uncertain future and an absentee father. As she comes to terms with what Daniel shows her, she realizes that he's the only true thing in her life and leaves everything she knows behind to follow the handsome stranger.

About the Author: 

Nicole Delacroix was born in Frankfurt Germany to a German mother and American Military father. Her parents instilled in her a deep love of the written word and a profound respect for literature in all forms. So it's little wonder that from the moment she could first write she knew that writing would always be a part of who she is. From short stories to dabbling in scriptwriting she passes her time with her day job as an IT professional but feverishly writes well into the night. Her passion for literature encompasses many different genres but her heart beats true with fantasy and science fiction. She's fiercely loyal to friends and family and is eagerly awaiting the day when she can move to London England, her childhood dream.

Web:  http://nicole-delacroix.com/

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Twitter:  https://twitter.com/NicoleDelaCroix

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8177927.Nicole_Delacroix

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