FAQ

These are some questions that came to mind. If there are other questions that you would like to see answers for, drop me a note at nikki_leigh2293@yahoo.com

Questions & Answers

How long did it take you to get your first book published? It took me years to begin writing it. But, once I finished the final revision I was offered a contract within 4 months. I submitted queries and synopsis to 40-50 agents and after 25-30 rejections decided to shift gears. The first publisher I approached directly requested my manuscript the first day. I offered them a 6 week exclusive, and was on pins and needles each week. At the five week mark, I was offered a contract. I sent the second novel to a publisher that I respect a great deal and she gave me some wonderful and incredibly helpful input. After quite a while, I submitted the revised manuscript to another publisher and was offered a contract. I hope they will publish each of the books in the Misty Cove Chronicles. I also plan to write some short stories which will give the readers some additional background and insights into my characters.

How do you think you will feel the day your book is released? I'll be on top of the world. I waited a long time to finally write the book, and want to hold it in my hand.

(Update - My first book was released today (1-4-06) and it feels WONDERFUL!!! There was an incredible rush when I saw the book listed for sale and am looking forward to seeing many more. In the next two months my first print book will be released and I can see and hold my book :)

What helped you begin writing seriously? One day in June 2002, I was on a job site with my brother and he told the client I wanted to write. She said I had to read the Artist Way by Julia Cameron. That evening I went to the library and got The Artist Way and the Vein of Gold. I couldn’t afford them, so I took extensive notes of points and exercises. I had a long weekend off for the fourth of July and sat I thought to myself, “I’m going to look for an online writing class that I can afford, and if I can’t find one, I should give up the idea of writing.” I did a google search and the second listing was Writers Village.

This picture is from the Pets 'n Portraits fundraising event to raise money for the Charlottesville/Albemarle SPCA, located in Virginia.

I created the first prize for a couple who submitted a picture of their German Shepherd. Nathan, Kristie and Lilah are all featured in the story, Lilah and the Locket. The prologue and first chapter can be found by clicking here.

Click here for more details about the event.

This picture was taken on Monday May 2, 2005.

The event was created and organized by S & C Consulting Ltd. (Which is owned by Shri Henkel - aka Nikki Leigh :)

(Click here to access an interview with Nikki.)

Tell us about Writers Village. How did it help you? Writers Village is wonderful. The URL is: www.writersvillage.org WVU offered a fantastic price and almost total flexibility. There are over 200 classes offered and once you sign up for a class, you work on the assignments and post anytime day or night. WVU gave me a chance to meet writers of all skill levels from around the world. There are study groups, classes, chats and more. The support and feedback I received helped me get focused and my writing improved.

WVU offers a free writing class, and the second lesson revived Kennalyn. She would be the main character in the first book I wanted to write. Her outline and description were stored in a box. This exercise required me to write a piece where my character introduced me to the class. Kennalyn resurfaced and entertained the class. Her story was back in front of me.

My study group talked about NaNoWriMo. The idea with NaNo was to focus on a new story for the month of November. Putting 50,000 words on paper was the goal. I managed 57,000 words. These words became back story but helped me learn to focus on getting the story on paper and edit later. I participated in NaNo again in November 2003, and Widow’s Walk was just released. NaNo 2004 saw the first half of Lady Light Keeper make it to paper. In 2005, I wrote the first non fiction book was started. I'd ghostwritten other marketing and business books, but this book will be released under my name.

What is NaNoWriMo? – That stands for National Novel Writing Month and happens each November. The website is www.nanowrimo.org Tens of thousands of people around the globe participate. Around the middle of the month, we encouragement one another to continue. I recommend it for everyone. But have a story in mind before you start. I had a rough outline the second year and it went much smoother. The third year, I started with character sketches and a comprehensive outline and the writing went very smooth. The fourth year I had a complete table of contents and completed over 51,000 words. I also edited and submitted the first 51,000 words to my publisher.

Do you have a writing schedule? I now write fulltime. (Beginning July 1, 2005) Most of my time is spent on freelance non fiction writing and marketing work. Details are located on my business website, at www.sandcconsulting.com. I'm trying to get my schedule organized so that I can finish Lady Light Keeper which is the second book in the Misty Cove Chronicles

Have you ever had writers block? Are we talking about other than the 16 years of writers block. LOL Seriously, the worst block was when I tackled my first query and synopsis. This was the toughest thing I had to write. There was one time in Stormy View when I was writing a pivotal chapter, and couldn’t figure out how to tackle it. All at once, the idea came to me, and the chapter flowed... finally.

Are you working on any writing projects right now? I’m working on sequels to Widow’s Walk. They are each set in the same fictional town of Misty Cove. The main character of this book is mentioned in Stormy View. The Misty Cove Chronicles is set from 1841-1865. Over 67,000 words of the sequel to Widow's Walk is on paper, and the first draft needs to be completed. The third novel will offer me a chance to incorporate some history from Virginia and the coast of North Carolina.

Is there a common theme in your books? Stormy View, Widow’s Walk and Lady Light Keeper have main female characters. They have connections to the fictional, Stormy View lighthouse in my town of Misty Cove. These women grow stronger and build lives for themselves and their children despite adversity. They refuse to let life's problems get the better of them.

How can your readers contact you? nikki_leigh22939@yahoo.com

Who are your favorite authors? This is tough. I read many mysteries and thrillers. One of my favorite authors is John Grisham. I met Andy Straka at a local writer’s group and bought one of his books. Both of these wonderful authors live in the same beautiful area that I do. Patricia Cornwell is another (somewhat) local author I enjoy. Jonathan Kellerman, Richard North Patterson, Nora Roberts, Jeffery Deaver, Eileen Gouge, Robin Cook, Danielle Steel, Tess Gerritsen, Susan Wittig Albertson, Maeve Binchy and many more. Another genre that I enjoy is true crime.

How long have you been writing? I began writing in grade school and continued through high school. I've done extensive marketing for years, and that gave me many opportunities to write. I entered a short story contest years ago. But the summer of 2002, I finally got serious about writing. A couple of weeks ago, I called my second and seventh grade English teacher. It was great to speak with the woman who had such an affect on my dream to write. Thank you Mrs. Sorrells :)

Do you usually outline your stories before you write them? I do. My second book had a brief outline and then I bought the Plot Doctor workbook. (www.plotdoctor.com) One of the first exercises is to list all the conflicts in your story. I started this and then sat down with an artistic friend and we brainstormed story ideas and characters. I revised my outline and submitted it to my study group. They gave me ideas to expand the story and fill gaps in the story. Once I realized the story was much more than one story and then I could expand the story in many ways, and have three books outlined.

What do you like best, and least, about writing? I love creating the settings and characters. Watching the story come together is wonderful. The characters become my friends and I hate to say goodbye when the story is completed. I hate the revisions which seem to go on forever. But, I love the final revision. With Stormy View I got totally away from the story for about 6 weeks and when I went back, saw the story in a totally different light. This allowed me to cut and add in areas that make the final product something I am very proud of.

Aside from actually selling your books, what has been the most rewarding moment in your writing career? Typing the final words of Stormy View was the most rewarding moment so far. I had that final paragraph in my mind for years, and putting it on paper was an incredible feeling. The local Virginia Festival of the Book was going on that weekend. I wanted to go to an interview with John Grisham or I could finish my first book... I chose Stormy View.

I have heard many authors talk about using things to create an atmosphere for writing, such as their favorite music and a variety of other things. Do you just jump in and write whenever and wherever you have the opportunity to do so? My neighbors pick on me that when they hear Jazz playing, they know I'm writing. There are pictures of lighthouse and beach scenes throughout my home and this keeps my mind on my setting. I visited the area where my stories are set and I dig out reference books and photo albums to refresh my memories of the area.

Q: What kind of pets do you have? I have one cat that is very unique. He has a crooked head, bowed front legs, and is a bob tail. But he plays fetch like a champ. Actually he is a very sweet cat, but has a vicious attitude some days. Shadow has several favorite places to lay while I’m writing. He enjoys my marathon writing binges, as long as I feed him. I recently got a kitten and named her Miz Muze. She lays beside me or on my lap while I'm working. She likes to lay her paw on the laptop while I'm working. One day she might learn that she can't type :) They are both featured on my About Nikki page.

Shadow - my writing partner.

Shadow is one of my writing partners. Whether laying on top of my monitor or stretched out beside my favorite chair, he stays close by during each writing project. He curls up on the floor in my office and spends hours with me while I write.

Q: Where do you get your ideas? Stormy View was so long ago that I honestly don’t remember. Each evening I looked at a picture in my living room determined that it had a story to tell. The story became Widow’s Walk. A friend mentioned a bad hurricane that hit the Massachusetts coast and this became the time period for the book. When I started outlining, the story would cover almost thirty years. I decided to use some of the ideas for a second and third book. I love lighthouses, including the history, architecture and proximity to the coast, so lighthouses play a part in my stories.

Q: Are your books based on real people and on your own life? Not really. But I enjoy working actual history around my story and characters.

Q: How long does it take you to write a book? I’m trying to work out a way to complete one book each year. The first took about 14 months from start to final revision. The second has taken 10 months and I need to complete one more revision before I resubmit. The third is on hold at the moment, but I have about 2 1/2 months on it, and I'm 67,000 words (270 pages) into the first draft.

Q: How long do you plan to keep writing? As long as I can.

Postal Address - P O Box 711, Fishersville, VA 22939
Nikki's Email Address - nikki_leigh22939@yahoo.com

Last modified: 07/21/08