The Third Fate is the third release of novelist Nadja Notariani. I asked Nadja here today in celebration of this new book, and to talk a bit with her about writing in different genres, which I am quite fond of myself, among other things. Without further ado, I give you this interview with Nadja.
Hi Nadja! Thanks for coming to my blog to promote your new paranormal romance, The Third Fate. This is your third book, and your first paranormal romance. In fact, you’ve now written a contemporary, a historical, and a paranormal. How did that end up happening with your first three books?
Hello, J.R.! Thank you for having me over today.
Yes, how did that happen? Ha! I have a wide array of likes, so I write the stories that take shape in my mind whether contemporary, historical, or even paranormal. Plus, it’s a lot of fun exploring my own writing style. Different story forms allow me to expand and hone my skill set. I look at is as gaining ‘writing capital’ and experience.
How do you prepare to write a paranormal vs. a historical?
For my historical novella I researched the Bishop’s War between England and Scotland to understand a little more about life lived near the borders of these two countries. I also had to study the English peerage system, the geography of Northumberland, dress and fashion, and frequency of usage for words like ‘gentlemen’ and ‘good-day’. It was a great history lesson. Luckily, I love history!
In contrast, preparing for my paranormal romance was a much more creative process. I still had to research Scotland and its wonderful city, Glasgow. People, places, and layout of the city were topics I focused on. But I also delved into the myths and legends of the old Celtic gods and the Druid religion. My imagination was free to create an entire back story for the origins of the vampire, the Fates, and the various realms of the Netherworld. I enjoyed that aspect of the paranormal genre a great deal!
Where do you get your ideas?
I’ve an over-active imagination. Always have. :} Some thing or another captures my attention, and before I know it I’ve managed to conjure an entire story. Sometimes I cry, ‘Eureka!’ and other times, ‘I got a rock.’
What part of a story do you tend to think up first: the characters? Setting? Conflict?
Blushes… In my first book, I started writing scenes as I dreamt them up, creating as I wrote on. I would not recommend this! Ha. Now, I start with a few sentences to define my story idea and build characters, setting, and conflict around that premise simultaneously.
Can you tell us a little about your writing process?
As I mentioned, I begin with a simple premise and build from there. Nothing is written in stone. I’m a planner, and I utilize K.M. Weiland’s book, ‘Outlining Your Novel’. One of my favorite areas is my ‘What-If’ page(s), where I jot any ideas about plot, conflict, or action. ‘What if my heroine runs away?’ ‘What if so-and-so develops amnesia?’ ‘What if the main characters are separated by a tragedy and think one another dead?’ These questions are for exploration only, but open up my mind to endless possibilities for my story.
If you were transported to a deserted island by a mysterious hunk, who then left you there alone…which three books would you desperately wish were in your possession?
‘Survival 101: How-To For Any Climate – Bonus Features Include Boat Building, Radio Electronics For Dummies, Weapon Making, and the Handy-Dandy Materials Needed Kit – by ACME’ …for obvious reasons…
‘Creative Revenge – A Complete Course In The Art Of Vengeance’ – …Revenge is a dish best served cold, no?…
and
‘Pride And Prejudice’ – … to wile away the hours as I bide my time…
As you look forward, is there one genre you think you’ll write more than others?
Honestly, I’m not sure. It will depend on what ideas strike me as worth exploring! I’ve enjoyed all three of my stories thus far, and I’ve seen my writing grow and evolve with each one. Maybe I’ll discover a particular bent – but for now – it’s open ended.
What are you working on next?
Next up, I’m going to explore the time period following the Third Crusade in the Holy Land. The French referred to the Christian holding as Outremer. Knights, Acre, a caravan, and a sexy Emir are swirling around my brain as I look ahead to writing another historical novel/novella.
Now tell us more about the book that just came out.
~ ‘One Fate be granted mortal man, used for evil or good as the inner voice directs. Alas, the divine spark draws the eyes of the Fates, the Second Fate sparingly gifted by their hands. Be warned offspring of the gods, guard your gifting well. For if the Third Fate be unleashed, the soul lays bare before one so touched by the gods.’ ~
Cautious and quiet by nature, Paige Kinnell watches life unfold from the sidelines, maintaining her simple existence as a shield to hide behind. But underneath her shy, careful ways, Paige senses a disconnect with the world around her, indulging instead her ever curious interest in the legend and lore of time nearly forgotten.
One chance encounter with an ancient of the undead begins an unraveling of reality as Paige knows it, leaving her to sort through dreams and enchantments, discovering along the way that one’s Fate can be mere illusion, and that the consequences of opening her heart to another may cost dearly.
Cael Maccinnis, the handsome Highlander she’s met, seems the answer to every unspoken longing of her heart, even as he awakens dark, secret desires buried within her soul. As strange and unnerving changes begin occurring in her mind and body, Paige has no choice but to face her life’s unnatural turn and confront the frightening implications. For within Paige’s past a secret lay dormant, hidden even from her. This truth, guarded well and wielded by the Fates themselves, becomes the catalyst invoking the power of The Third Fate.
About the Author:
Nadja Notariani was born in Rochester, Pennsylvania. Her upbringing included very diverse environments, affording wide and varied richness of ethnic and religious tradition. Raised in both an Italian/Mediterranean American home and a traditional German household, Nadja gleaned the unique benefits of viewing the world through two widely different lenses.
Nadja currently resides in Northeastern Pennsylvania and published two novels in 2011, Claiming The Prize and Her Dark Baron. The Third Fate, a paranormal romance, has just been released.
The author can be found at her website, on facebook, or through email, and enjoys hearing from readers.
nadjanotariani.blogspot.com
nadja.notariani@gmail.com
nadja.notariani@gmail.com
Great interview, ladies! You are two of my favorite people. 🙂
The Third Fate is an awesome book. I think the thing about the Fates is a really interesting twist to the whole paranormal vampire situation.
First of all, I want to shout, ‘Thanks’, to J.R. for having me over today! So, ‘Thanks!’
Interviews are so fun to do, especially when your host adds in some fun questions. Sort of gets the creative juices flowing. :}
Lauralynn-
Thank you, too! I’m so glad you enjoyed The Third Fate. I sure enjoyed writing it. I’ve a bit of a crush on Malcolm…;}
Great interview, J.R.! Good luck on your newest book, Nadja! I have it downloaded ready to read when I finish the book I’m reading now. Can’t wait to read it…sounds intriguing.
That’s great, Anya! So glad you stopped by…looking forward to your thoughts, too! Have a great holiday weekend.
Thanks for the follow, I will be back to read this later this evening…Go Nadja, you kick a**!
Wander
Thanks for stopping by, Wander…and for announcing that I ‘kick-a**’! You’ve got me laughing!
Thank you again, J.R., for having me over and letting me share about my newest release! See you soon.