Q&A Interview with Nigel May

Today I am really excited to welcome Nigel May Author of Deadly Obsession  which is out today and I highly recommend it giving it 5 stars…........So without further ado I would like to welcome the lovely Nigel May

Happy Publication day Nigel thank you for joining me today

Thank you, I have got a very exciting and day ahead of me

Can you tell us a little about yourself and background?

My name is Nigel May, I live in a sleepy little village in East Anglia with my partner and our two cats, Jasper and Oscar (both quite portly ginger toms!). I have written four books so far - TRINITY, ADDICTED, SCANDALOUS LIES and now DEADLY OBSESSION. I am currently writing number five. When I am not writing novels I present on a TV craft channel which is brilliant as I get to be surrounded by bright things like glitter and shiny papers all day long. I worked as a journalist for many years specialising in showbiz and celebrity, which was fabulous as it meant I was able to interview lots of famous names. Everyone from Britney Spears through to David Hasselhoff. I do love a bit of showbiz which is why my books are always jam-packed with celebrities and glamorous locations.  

When did you know that you wanted to become a writer? and how did you go about it?

I loved writing when I worked as a journalist and when I became a TV host I kind of stopped writing for a while as I was so busy with the telly. But I really began to miss the written word so I decided to create some characters and start plotting out a novel. The characters were Evie, Regan and Nush who were the main women in my first novel, TRINITY. About six months later I finished the first draft and sent it to agents. After what seemed like a million rejections I finally received a response from someone who said that they loved my writing. That lead to the incredible journey that a few years later saw me signing to the wonderful Bookouture publishing house.

Can you tell us what genre your books are and the audience you write for? They are described as 'bonkbusters' as the do have a little dose of naughtiness in them, but to be honest I think they are more glamour mixed with grittiness. There is always some kind of mystery going on, with people betraying each other and there are quite often deaths and dynamics around every corner. They have been compared to the late Jackie Collins which for me is the ultimate compliment as I adore her books. They always feature strong female characters as I love writing about determined, feisty, ball-breaking women, but they nearly always have some kind of vulnerability to them as well so that the audience can relate to them. My readers are mainly women who like nothing better than a glam-soaked escapist read whether at home or on holiday but I am thrilled to say I have lots of male readers too who seem to like what I do. I am grateful to whoever picks my books up and enjoys them.

What is your writing process? and how long does it take?

The hardest bit of the process is starting the book. I always create all of the characters beforehand and loosely plot out what will happen. Who loves who, who hates who, who might be the villain etc. Then I start writing and see where the flow takes me. Quite often a character who I think will be a real baddie at the start may find some kind of remorse in their hearts and end up being one of the most likable ones. On average the books take about six months to write for a first draft and then there will be edits. I always feel like a father giving birth to the most amazing set of people.

Are your characters based on anyone you know or are they just fictional?

I always have people in mind when I picture a character - it helps me write if I can see them in my head. The characters are never based wholly on a certain person as they are usually a lot more glamorous in the novels than the life I lead. A lot of the names, whether it be first or surnames are friends of mine though or people I work with, so you never know, you may find yourself in one of my novels at some point!

Have you wrote about a personal experience in your novels?

I always try to set books in places that I have visited on my travels so that way I can really have an authentic air about setting the scene. I love travelling and going on holiday. Nowadays I call it research but I do love lying on a beach somewhere tropical and thinking 'oh yes, this will do very nicely for a location in a future novel'. Deadly Obsession features South Africa, Rio, Paris, Barcelona...all places that I have been to where I've made notes about things I'd like to write about.

What research do you do?

Travelling is the main one and obviously if there is something that I don't know about then I will search out somebody who can answer the questions I need to ask to make sure that everything is as factual as can be. I am a great believer in the fact that the people in a book have to be believable in their actions even if the scenario they finds themselves in is often an extreme fantastical one.

Who would you like to co-write with and why?

I adore Victoria Fox - her writing is pure escapism - so I would love to write with her. Also I love the books of Armistead Maupin as he paints the most wonderful characters. The Tales Of The City books are fabulous. I do have a huge amount of respect for the gritty crime authors within Bookouture as well though - people like Angie Marsons and Caroline Mitchell. They write intrigue, mystery and murder incredibly well.

What's your favourite book?

And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie. Such a skilled story, such clever writing and an authoress that nobody will ever top when it comes to the most incredible mysteries. I could read that book time and time again. She is queen! *

What's your favorite food?

I love a steak and kidney pie and chips! You can't beat it. I love a great curry too. My other half is the most awesome chef so I am spoilt with food, which is very handy as my cooking skills are limited to a decent fry-up and a good Sunday roast.

What's your favorite film?

I am a huge horror fan, but it's normally classic horror from days gone by. I adored Vincent Price as an actor. Such an incredible presence on screen and my favourite film is Theatre Of Blood about a group of theatre critics who are killed off one by one by a Shakespearean actor who they gave awful reviews to. It's very camp, very good and had me gripped from start to finish. I must have watched it a hundred times. I love Flash Gordon too. I wanted to be a Birdman when I was younger!

What's your favourite song?

I love happy music. I am such a pop music kind of man. Play anything by ABBA and I am heading to the dance floor. I would say Lay All Your Love On Me or Gimme Gimme Gimme would be my favourites. I love the Pet Shop Boys too - classics like Go West, It's A Sin, Left To My Own Devices are essential and always on my iTunes selection. My favourite pop dance track of all time is You Spin Me Round (Like A Record) by Dead Or Alive. Hi energy happiness!

How can readers find out more information about yourself and your books?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Nigel-May/e/B00D35HQO2/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1455875460&sr=8-2-ent

https://twitter.com/ @Nigel_May

https://www.facebook.com/nigelmaycraft/

Thanks Nigel,have a brilliant day. I wish you all the luck in the world with your book. And I can't wait to host your author chat over on Crime Book Club on Monday

Thanks so much for having me here today, I can't wait until Monday to....see you there at 6.30