with Nicole O'Dell

Book Bonanza Banner

Our winner of Darlene Franklin's 365 Whispers of Wisdom for Single Moms is Catrina Bradley! Send me your snail mail addy, Cat! And thank you so much for being with us, Darlene!

And now here's our interview with Nicole...

Welcome to Patterings, Nicole! Tell us which of your books (published or upcoming) has been the most fun for you to write and which character is your favorite?
I think that each book and every character are made up of parts of me. So, with every new book, it feels more complete. I really enjoyed writing Making Waves most recently. Being a part of the swim team when I was in high school is one of my favorite teen memories. I still go weak in the knees when I pour bleach into my washing machine—it immediately transports me poolside.

Of my recent releases:
In Truth or Dare, I identify with Lindsay and Macy the most. Like Macy, I struggled with my weight as a small child and then got in shape right before high school. The mental struggles with body image that Macy dealt with are close to my heart. Watch for a future book about that very subject.

In All that Glitters, I completely relate to both Dani and Drew. They represent the battle of the mind that I faced as a teen. I wanted to do what was right (Dani) but I wanted to be popular and attractive (Drew). It was a spiritual and mental dilemma and one that many girls face.

What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?
Time. With six kids, three of them not even one yet, I sometimes don’t have the time I need to write and work without interruptions. My husband is fantastic to jump in and take over so I can disappear and my older children are the best kids and the greatest helps. But, I feel torn a lot. I want to be with my family, but I want to hide out with my computer. It requires a real balancing act. I try to make sure that family wins more often than not.

Which character in your new release most interested you while you wrote?
In All that Glitters, Dani Daniels made me sad. She was the one who stayed the same but had to watch her best friend—her identical twin sister—go a little wild. Not only did she have to watch it happen, but she had to suffer the loss and deal with the worry. I felt her pain. It wasn’t really because of anything I’ve experienced, but it rang true to me and I hurt for her.


What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?
On a beautiful summer day, when normal people were swimming, biking and boating, I went to a library and spent three hours and $75.00 to take the test to join Mensa. I passed the test and was asked to join (another 75.00). I joined and participated in a few groups and things, but overall, it felt a little kooky and I didn’t renew my membership. Sometimes I think I’d like to join again (another 75.00) but, I probably never will.

Are there things you put off doing because you dread them?
Phone calls! I’m terrible at making calls.

Oh, me too! I hate making phone calls! Cannot stand them! LoL
Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.

I love Bible history, literary non-fiction, and literary fiction. When I read for pleasure, I really love books that make me think, and force me to confront social, economic or political issues.

Are there certain foods or snacks keeps the words flowing for you?
Coffee! I love when the kids are still sleeping and the coffee is brewing. In those early morning hours, there’s almost a feel—maybe even a smell—that something great is about to happen. It’s creativity, freshness, warmth and fullness drip, drip dripping into the pot. Mmmmm.

Are there spiritual themes you like to write about?
I feel relief when I come to the point in my stories when relationships are restored. I’m not good at letting people be upset with me—I can’t take it. So, when my characters are embroiled in that, it makes me crazy. I need them to repair the hurt and redeem what the enemy tried to destroy.

What lesson is the Lord teaching you right now or recently taught you?
To quote Facing the Giants, “If we win, we’ll praise Him. If we lose, we’ll praise Him.” I really think that He’s asking me to apply that to a lot of life. I’m learning how to do that.

When is your next book due out and can you tell us about it?
Magna and Making Waves will be released in April, 2010, through Barbour Publishing.

In Magna, Molly Jacobs gets her first job in retail. She’s faced with the dilemma of sharing her discount and eventually the possibility of stealing, or “borrowing” clothes for her friends.

In Making Waves, Kate Walker faces loss, then decides she needs something different so she joins the swim team. Realizing just how talented she is, Kate begins to entertain the hope of a scholarship to help her single mom offset the cost of her education. The schedule becomes too much for her and she starts using caffeine and is eventually offered the real thing—speed.

I’d also like to invite everyone, especially tween girls, to the new website www.scenariosforgirls.com. There are giveaways, devotions, an advice column, girl talk, shopping tips, product reviews, etc. A new giveaway will be posted every single day in August and weekly thereafter. Commenters have a week to enter each giveaway.

You can keep up with Nicole on her website, her writer's blog, family blog, at Facebook and Twitter.

You can purchase the Scenarios books at Amazon and CBD.

Nicole is giving away a copy of All That Glitters AND Truth or Dare. To be entered in the book giveaways, leave a comment and check back on Sunday, August 23rd to see if you've won. If you want to guarantee that you're notified if you win, then leave your email address in the comment, otherwise, you can just check back and email me through the button in my sidebar. OR you could sign up to have Patterings updates delivered to your inbox. If you do, it will give you a bonus entry in the giveaway, otherwise you can enter twice--once for each post you leave a comment on. :^)

Come back tomorrow and meet Mary Moss--another book giveaway!

11 comments:

  1. These would be great books for my daughters to read. Thanks.
    partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  2. email subscriber
    partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  3. Wooo Cat! And these books sound SO good. Wanna enter AGAIN!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Enter me please! These sound GREAT!
    desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  5. Fantastic interview! Nicole's books look like a breath of fresh air for young readers. And congrats, Catrina!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anonymous12:38 PM

    Loved the interview!! I hate phone calls also. Look forward to reading Nicole's books. Please enter me. ~Abby


    abster(dot)rose(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  7. Oooh, good interview! The question of the quirkiest thing ever done, made me laugh. I would love to read those books. ^_^

    ReplyDelete
  8. Anonymous2:51 PM

    Awesome interview! I hate making phone calls also. the books sound really, really great!! I can hardly wait to read them. Esther

    faith4u7(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  9. I have a list of phone calls I have to make sitting right here beside me. But, hey, it's Friday...I can do it Monday, right? ;)

    ReplyDelete
  10. Would love to win these for my teenage niece. Thanks for the chance to win these.

    cherierj(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  11. I'd love to read these books.
    please, enter me.

    God's great blessings

    marthanadnny(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete

Thanks so much for stopping by! I love hearing from you.

Blog Widget by LinkWithin

  © Blogger template Simple n' Sweet by Ourblogtemplates.com 2009. Design expanded and personalized by PattyWysong.com 2011.

Back to TOP