Author Spotlight: Nicky James
May 15, 2022 • News
CJC: How did you get started as an author, and what made you want to pursue that field?
NJ: Thinking back to my childhood, I want to say I was born to tell stories. Before I could even write a word, my parents said my imagination was off the charts. Creative writing was my favorite thing in school, and when a teacher asked for a one-page story, I would often write ten (front and back) because I couldn’t stop. As an adult, the people who lived inside my head never went away, and their stories constantly rolled around my brain, growing, and expanding until I gave them a voice on a page. Only then would they settle. So, I guess it’s always been part of me.
CJC: What do you find to be the most rewarding and challenging part of being an author and what hurdles have you overcome while striving towards your goals?
NJ: The most rewarding part is witnessing the joy and hearing the amazing things people say about my books. Seeing my creations in print and holding them in my hand still awes me to this day, even forty books into this career.
One of the greatest hurdles I’ve had to face is accepting that I may not always fit into the mold of what is deemed “mainstream MM romance.” I’ve learned to embrace the thing that sets me apart in the genre and makes me unique from other authors instead of trying to change my writing style.
CJC: Which novel has been your favorite to write and why?
NJ: This is such a hard question! My books are my babies, and it’s like picking a favorite child. Every one of my books took me somewhere special. Every character wove their way into my heart. I think the two most impacting books I’ve written, the ones that touched me the most on a deeper level were “Inside” and “Love Me Whole.” Both of these books required an extreme amount of research, and the reward was thus that much greater.
CJC: For first time readers of your work, which book would you recommend?
NJ: Since I have such a vast variety of books to choose from, ranging from high angst to taboo, lower angst to mystery and suspense, I think this depends on what a reader is looking for. One of my most talked about books is Love Me Whole, which is the story of a man who has dissociative identity disorder, balances six independent alters, and the man who learns to love the whole system. It’s also the book I am proudest of.
CJC: If one of your books were made into a movie, which would you select and who would you like to star in it?
NJ: Oh, I love this question. Absolutely, hands down, End of the Line. This is the story of a group of young vagabonds who travel across Canada by hopping freight trains. On their journey, they find love and family. As for who I’d want to star in this…. I don’t know *cries* I’m not a TV or movie person at all, and I honestly know nothing about the entertainment world anymore. I couldn’t even name a single actor who fit in this age bracket. *shame face*
CJC: For those looking to become an author, what advice would you give them?
NJ: Stay true to yourself.
CJC: If you could co-write a book with any author, who would it be and why?
NJ: Harlan Coben. His ability to weave masterful mysteries is astounding. I bow down to him. Also, maybe Stephen King, but I feel like I’m being a tad ambitious here.
CJC: Favorite motto?
NJ: Carpe Diem (Seize the day).
CJC: What do you do to overcome writer’s block?
NJ: Drink more coffee and just keep going. It may look like a brick wall, but chances are, there is a way to scale it.
CJC: In one word, how would you describe your writing style?
NJ: Honest
CJC: Which do you find harder to do… writing the blurb for your story or selecting the cover?
NJ: Always the blurb. Those things are the evilest of evils.
CJC: Do you have authors who inspire you? And if so, who and why?
NJ: I have many who inspire me. Some big fish include Harlan Coben, Stephen King, and Steve Cavanagh. These authors inspire me because they keep my brain active and encourage me to think outside the box. They remind me that I can always make things more challenging for my characters, and even when I get into a plot pickle, there is always a way out if I look deep enough. Closer to home, I’m also inspired by Gregory Ashe because his books remind me that all characters are flawed, and sometimes those flaws are necessary for growth. Aimee Nicole Walker is a huge inspiration. Reading her books always reminds me to give my boys more time to love and enjoy each other. Fleshing out the romance and giving them sweet with their salty.
CJC: What is your writing process like?
NJ: Well, I like to start with a well-thought-out outline. I weave a loose plot together with many obstacles, ensure I have a start, middle, and finish line, then I set out to write. Usually, somewhere in the fifth or sixth chapter, my characters find my outline, tear it into a billion pieces and set off on an unpaved road to who knows where, leaving me scrambling to figure out how to make it all work. Mostly this process works, but not without lots of swearing and tears.
CJC: What new projects are you currently working on and what are your goals for the remainder of the year?
I’m just launching a brand-new romantic mystery series that will feature a pair of rival detectives who will slowly find love along the way. The first book is Temporary Partner, a twisted mystery with tons of banter and UST between the two MCs.
CJC: Any final thoughts you would like to share with the CJC Photography readers?
NJ: I was thrilled to be featured here today, and I can’t thank CJC Photography enough for having me. When I was browsing for the perfect cover model and came across Jordan Hagel’s pictures, I was stunned at how much he resembled the Quaid Valor character I envisioned. Anyone who reads Temporary Partner will probably agree *wink*. You’ll have to read and see what I’m talking about.
CJC: Thank you so much Nicky for featuring Jordan and I on the cover of “Temporary Partner” which is now available here!
Stay up to date with all of Nicky’s latest releases here.
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