Nicola Marsh - romance author

I’m a Melbourne gal, though my Harlequin books have been set along the breadth of the East Coast of Australia, ranging from the Gold Coast, Melbourne and Sydney. I particularly love the hip, vibrant, cosmopolitan vibe of my home city and the bulk of my novels are set here, highlighting such fabulous cultural and food havens like Acland Street (St. Kilda), Brunswick Street (Fitzroy) and Lygon Street (Carlton).

Writing has always been a passion, starting at the age of 8 when I designed and scripted elaborate ‘Abba’ and ‘Grease’ concerts for family and friends. Being a voracious reader, I devoured every Enid Blyton book I could lay my little hands on and soon became addicted to all books, including the Nancy Drew and Trixie Belden series.

In my teens, a love of English literature led to dreams of being a journalist. However, a work-experience stint at a hospital led to a change of career path and I later qualified as a physiotherapist.

I’ve dabbled in sports medicine, private practice, community health and vocational rehabilitation before finding my true calling in life, to be a romance author.

When I met and married my own tall, dark and handsome hero, I was inspired to follow my dream of “writing a romance novel one day”. I joined the Melbourne Romance Writers Guild and finally learned the secret to being a successful author:

I needed to write! And write… and write some more.

The call came in May 2003 and I haven't looked back. I’ve just sold my 16th Mills and Boon title, have sold over a million copies worldwide, currently write for the Harlequin Romance and Modern Heat series and enjoying every minute of my dream job!

LIFE HAPPENS...

After getting asked by many people where I get my ideas from or how I manage to get so many books written when I have a young child, I thought I'd answer a few questions here for those who might be interested.

Story Inspiration

Ideas can spring from anywhere and everywhere. I really enjoy travelling because I get the chance to sit back and watch people from other cities or countries going about their daily lives. I often wonder what their lives entail, who they might be waiting for, why they were running... my imagination takes over and a new plot is born!

Romance is important in my own life and I find it difficult to write about it if I’m not brimming over with ‘warm and fuzzies’. I have my own TD&H hero to help with that!

My Writing Routine

In the ideal world, I would write the whole day (what bliss!)

Instead, I have a family to raise so my work day starts at 8.30 pm when the little ones are down for the night. I write for a few hours, longer if I'm on a roll or facing a deadline.

Sleep is a distant memory…

Brain Food

Once I’m settled at my desk, I lose the urge to eat (gotta love that!) and I don’t keep any snacks within arm’s reach - chocolate is my reward for later.

Editing

Once I sit down to write, I usually read over the last few pages I’ve done to get back into the swing of the story. After a novel is completed, I put it aside for anything from a week to a month before starting the revisions. A fresh eye is essential for improving your masterpiece!

Plotting

Okay, yes, I’ll admit it. I’m a plotter! Once the muse strikes, I get the idea down on paper ASAP and find myself outlining the whole story before I know what has hit me. I used to use detailed character charts but find I tend to fly by the seat of my pants a bit more these days and just follow the journey my characters take me on. Though I always refer back to that brief chapter-by-chapter outline I jotted down at the start, to keep the hero and heroine on the straight and narrow!

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Books:

Natural Born Charmer by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

Cross Stitch series by Diana Gabaldon

Metro Girl by Janet Evanovich

Envy by Sandra Brown

Authors:

Suzanne Brockmann

J.K. Rowling

Judith McNaught

Linda Howard

Adele Parks

Wilbur Smith

Songs:

Sway by Michael Buble

Moondance by Van Morrison

You've Got a Way by Shania Twain

Don't by Jewel

I'm so Excited by the Pointer Sisters

Can't Help Falling in Love with You by Elvis

MY FAVORITES

The only football team!

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