Exclusive Interview with
ML Nystrom
When did you start writing?
I've been writing since elementary school, however I didn't get serious about it until I turned 50. I have a number of "someday" projects. "Someday" I'll learn silver-smithing, "someday", I'll travel Europe, "someday" I'll take a cruise. One of my "somedays" was publishing a book and at age 50, I had an epiphany that it was past time to turn some of those "somedays" into "todays." One book turned into fourteen and there are more to come.
What makes writing your passion?
How long have you been writing?
What was the feeling when you published your first book?
A combination of excitement and fear. Excited to see my name and work out there for people to read and fear they would hate it. I supposed anyone taking the risk of exposing themselves has the same feeling.
What’s the story behind your choice of characters?
A lot of what I write, comes from personal experience. Places I've been, people I've met, situations I've found myself. I try to write diverse characters, but you can find a little piece of me in each one.
What annoys you the most in pursuing a writing career?
Keeping up with the business end. The promos, tours, posts, blogs, social media, signings, etc, take up a huge amount of time
How do you get over the “writer’s block”?
We all know the writer’s path is never easy, what makes you keep going? What advice would you give to new authors?
I love writing. I love creating my ficational worlds. I love the freedom of expression. New authors? Don't stop.
If you could go back in time and talk to your younger self, what would you say?
Start sooner than age 50.
Do you read your book reviews? How do you deal with the bad ones?
I read reviews including the bad ones. The positive ones are appreciated, and the negatives ones are either taken as learning moments or ignored.
What is the feeling when you get a good review?
Good reviews help keep me inspired to write more. I've even written books just because of a comment or two by readers.
Have you ever incorporated something that happened to you in real life into your novels?
All the time.
Which of your characters you can compare yourself with? Did you base that character on you?
In Run With It, the main character is based on me more than in any other of my books. For instance, I send my MF on three blind internet dates. They were real ones I experienced during my divorcee days.
What do you think, the book cover is as important as the story?
The book cover is the first impression. First impressions count the most.
Do you connect with your readers? Do you mind having a chat with them or you prefer to express yourself through your writing?
I connect through social media and book signings. I don't mind at all talking to people about my books and future plans. Expressing myself through writing happens whether or not I spend time with others.
How do you feel when people appreciate your work or recognize you in public?
Flattered and intimidated. Flattered that someone took the time to read and appreciate my books. Intimidated that now I have something to live up to.
Who is your favorite author? Why?
What’s the dream? Whom would you like to be as big as?
Would you rewrite any of your books? Why?
If you could switch places with any author – who would that be?
What would you say to the “trolls” on the internet? We all know them – people who like to write awful reviews to books they’ve never read or didn’t like that much, just to annoy the author.
Why?
What would you say to your readers?
A big fat thank you for your support and encouragement!
Share a bit about yourself – where do you live, are you married, do you have kids?
I live in the state of North Carolina. I'm on my second and final marriage to a wonderful man. We are empty-nesters as my son is grown, married, and living his own life. I keep a rescue mutt or two.
What is your day job if you have one?
This is the fun unique part of my life. I've spent over thirty-years as a band instrument repair technician. Flute, clarinets, trumpets, trombones...musicians tear them up and I get to put them back together again. I'm still working at my own repair shop and plan to do so until I'm of retirement age. Cool niche, eh?
What are your hobbies? What do you do in your free time?
My free time is rare, but when I do get a few hours to play around, I indulge in hobbies like soap-making, knitting, beading, chainmaille, and other such handcrafts.
Did you have a happy childhood?
Yes, I did.
Is there a particular experience that made you start writing?
Do you have unpublished books? What are they about?
Yes. I have some fantasy, more MC, more suspense, and some erotica.
What do you think should be improved in the education of our children? What do we lack?
If you were allowed 3 wishes – what would they be?
What is your favorite music?
Share a secret with us 🙂