Author Spotlight: Nyla Rose

Today the Minxes are excited to welcome Nyla Rose to the blog. We hope you had a great Christmas, Nyla. Now we look forward to getting to know you better.

1. Where were you in your writing career 5 years ago?

Five years ago, I’d just returned to work from maternity leave with Child No.2. I missed him dreadfully. To help alleviate that, I started to write at my desk when the boss was away. I got my first book (which shall remain unnamed) written that way. So you could I’d just began my writing journey.

2. Where did you get the idea from for this particular book?

I started writing Yuletide Fire on a whim really. A few of my then crit partners were writing stories for their various houses centered around the Christmas theme and I enjoyed reading what they wrote so I started writing one too. I had other projects occupying my time but when I could I’d go back and add a paragraph here and a paragraph there. Before I knew it, I had a complete book!

3. Where do you hope to be in 5 years time?

Hopefully still writing. Hopefully published with a more established house. Penguin or Simon & Shuster would be great! I can dream, right?

4. Which was the last book you read that you wish you'd written?

Anything by Michelle Reid or India Grey! Although I couldn’t possibly have written any of Stieg Larsson’s books, they blew me away completely!

5. Was there any particular author or book that made you want to be a writer?

I've always enjoyed reading, but it wasn't until I read my first Mills & Boon at age 13 that I really thought of writing. I wrote my very first (unpublishable) story not long after that.

6. Do you find writing love scenes giggle-worthy or cringe-worthy?

I love writing love scenes and most of my books tend to be on the (very) sensual side, so I’d say neither. I think they’re a key part of a character’s emotional development. I tend to peel back another layer of my characters’ emotions during these scenes so it’s a part I always look forward to ;)

7. What's the most romantic moment of your life so far?

Oh dear, I don’t think I can reveal too much without getting into trouble. Let’s just say anything that involves “the little things in life” touches me romantically.

8. What do you wish you'd known about being an author before you were pubbed?

That it’s not only about the writing. That promoting your work is a huge time-suck. The publishing world is a huge business machine that never stops turning. You have to keep up or risk falling by the wayside. That was certainly an eye-opener.

9. What's the best writing advice you've ever been given?

Don’t compare yourself to another writer. And just keep writing no matter what because writing is a skill which develops only by constant application.

10. Tell us about your latest release.

Yuletide Fire is a Christmas themed story. Maxine Gray is on the verge of bankruptcy after her ex-fiancé cleans her out and runs off with another woman. At any time this would frighten most people, but when it happens just before Christmas, she’s even more desperate because she had employees with families depending on her. When she turns to her eccentric grandfather for a loan against her Trust, he gives her an ultimatum - marry by Christmas Day or lose her inheritance.

As a last resort, Maxine gets in touch with her ex-lover, Gabe Fenton, an attorney, to find out if there’s any way around the Trust Deed. Gabe agrees to help her… but only if they re-enact the steamy nights they spent in Vegas five years ago.

11. What’s next for you?

I have a few projects I’m waiting to hear back on so watch this space.

You can keep in touch with me via my Twitter page - www.twitter.com/nylaroseauthor
My books are for sale via Amazon, Cobblestone Press or Wild Rose Press.

Thank you so much to all the Minxes for inviting me here today. Hope you all had a great Christmas and I wish you a happy, published and fruitful 2011.