It gives me great pleasure to welcome Nina Soden onto the website today. Nina has a theatrical background as an actor and has written a string of urban fantasies for young adults, as well as an adult novel and a series of practical guides for writers.
Alex: Tell us a bit about yourself, Nina.
Nina: My background is actually in acting. I have a degree in Communications and Theatre from Eastern Michigan University and after graduation, I moved to Los Angeles to be an actress. I made a few films, under a maiden name of course, and lots of commercials. However, my career didn't really go where I had hoped. After I got married, life seemed to have other plans for me. I still do a lot of theatre, but now I tend to gravitate toward writing more as my artistic outlet. I have so many stories floating around in my head that it seems I can't write fast enough to get them all out.
Alex: How would you describe your writing, and are there particular themes that you like to explore?
Nina: I write urban fantasy, for the most part. My first series, The Blood Angel Series (Awaken, Beginnings, Revenge, and Pursuit) are all Young Adult Urban Fantasy. My second series, SECTOR C (The Chosen, The Hunted, and The Bridge) are more New Adult Urban Fantasy. Both series involve shapeshifters and vampires. The first series also includes a bit of witchcraft. My latest novel, The Beast Within, is an interactive urban fantasy novel. If you ever read the Choose Your Own Adventure novels as a kid, it is a lot like that. It has 11 different endings and multiple storylines to read through. However, it isn't for kids... This one has adult content that shouldn't be read by young children. (Trigger Warning: Sex, violence, rape, etc.)
Alex: Tell us a bit about yourself, Nina.
Nina: My background is actually in acting. I have a degree in Communications and Theatre from Eastern Michigan University and after graduation, I moved to Los Angeles to be an actress. I made a few films, under a maiden name of course, and lots of commercials. However, my career didn't really go where I had hoped. After I got married, life seemed to have other plans for me. I still do a lot of theatre, but now I tend to gravitate toward writing more as my artistic outlet. I have so many stories floating around in my head that it seems I can't write fast enough to get them all out.
Alex: How would you describe your writing, and are there particular themes that you like to explore?
Nina: I write urban fantasy, for the most part. My first series, The Blood Angel Series (Awaken, Beginnings, Revenge, and Pursuit) are all Young Adult Urban Fantasy. My second series, SECTOR C (The Chosen, The Hunted, and The Bridge) are more New Adult Urban Fantasy. Both series involve shapeshifters and vampires. The first series also includes a bit of witchcraft. My latest novel, The Beast Within, is an interactive urban fantasy novel. If you ever read the Choose Your Own Adventure novels as a kid, it is a lot like that. It has 11 different endings and multiple storylines to read through. However, it isn't for kids... This one has adult content that shouldn't be read by young children. (Trigger Warning: Sex, violence, rape, etc.)
Alex: Are you a writer that plans a detailed synopsis or do you set out with a vague idea and let the story unfold as you write?
Nina: I usually know the beginning and the end of my stories when I start them. That doesn't mean the ending ever stays the same, but I have an end in mind when I start writing. Everything else just unfolds as I write. I like to allow my characters to tell me where they want the story to go. As I learn more about them and their struggles, I find that the story inevitably changes and evolves into something I couldn't have imagined from the start.
Alex: Tell us about your latest novel.
Nina: As I said, The Beast Within is an interactive urban fantasy novel. It has 11 different endings and multiple storylines throughout.
BOOK BLURB: Austin discovered, at the young age of ten, that fairies aren’t exactly what the fairytales made them out to be and that blood tastes a lot like honey. Now, as an adult, he struggles to balance his public life with the one he’s so desperate to keep hidden. After a deadly camping trip and an unexpected connection, Austin tries to change his ways. Will he be able to keep his secret or will his world come undone? In this exciting interactive adventure, the body count is up to you. Are you ready?
Nina: I usually know the beginning and the end of my stories when I start them. That doesn't mean the ending ever stays the same, but I have an end in mind when I start writing. Everything else just unfolds as I write. I like to allow my characters to tell me where they want the story to go. As I learn more about them and their struggles, I find that the story inevitably changes and evolves into something I couldn't have imagined from the start.
Alex: Tell us about your latest novel.
Nina: As I said, The Beast Within is an interactive urban fantasy novel. It has 11 different endings and multiple storylines throughout.
BOOK BLURB: Austin discovered, at the young age of ten, that fairies aren’t exactly what the fairytales made them out to be and that blood tastes a lot like honey. Now, as an adult, he struggles to balance his public life with the one he’s so desperate to keep hidden. After a deadly camping trip and an unexpected connection, Austin tries to change his ways. Will he be able to keep his secret or will his world come undone? In this exciting interactive adventure, the body count is up to you. Are you ready?
Alex: What was the first book you read?
Nina: I have no idea, but I do remember the first book that actually made an impact on me, The Stand by Stephen King. Once I read that, I couldn't get enough of his writing.
Alex: How much research do you do and what does it usually entail?
Nina: I write urban fantasy... so not much research goes into my writing. Sure, with my latest novel I had to do a little medical research because in one storyline the main character goes to medical school. However, with most of my writing there isn't a lot of necessary research.
Alex: Do you ever base your characters on people you have encountered in real life?
Nina: I've used names of family members or friends, but none of my characters is 100% based on people in my life. I'll take characteristics of friends and family and piece them together, but that's the extent of it. None of my characters so closely resemble anyone I know that if they read the book they would recognize themselves. Attributes, sure, but not full characters.
Nina: I have no idea, but I do remember the first book that actually made an impact on me, The Stand by Stephen King. Once I read that, I couldn't get enough of his writing.
Alex: How much research do you do and what does it usually entail?
Nina: I write urban fantasy... so not much research goes into my writing. Sure, with my latest novel I had to do a little medical research because in one storyline the main character goes to medical school. However, with most of my writing there isn't a lot of necessary research.
Alex: Do you ever base your characters on people you have encountered in real life?
Nina: I've used names of family members or friends, but none of my characters is 100% based on people in my life. I'll take characteristics of friends and family and piece them together, but that's the extent of it. None of my characters so closely resemble anyone I know that if they read the book they would recognize themselves. Attributes, sure, but not full characters.
Alex: Which was the last book you read that blew you away?
Nina: The Midnight Library by Matt Haig. It was beautifully written. I was sucked in from the first sentence and had a hard time putting it down.
Alex: How do you market your books?
Nina: I love doing in-person author events. To me, there is nothing like getting out there and talking to readers face to face. However, I also have a website www.ninasoden.com and social media accounts where I am pretty active. My books are on Amazon and I tend to do a blog tour with every new release.
Alex: What are your interests aside from writing? And what do you do to unwind?
Nina: I'm a mom, so anything that involves family time and being with my kids. To unwind I read... a lot... and I exercise.
Nina: The Midnight Library by Matt Haig. It was beautifully written. I was sucked in from the first sentence and had a hard time putting it down.
Alex: How do you market your books?
Nina: I love doing in-person author events. To me, there is nothing like getting out there and talking to readers face to face. However, I also have a website www.ninasoden.com and social media accounts where I am pretty active. My books are on Amazon and I tend to do a blog tour with every new release.
Alex: What are your interests aside from writing? And what do you do to unwind?
Nina: I'm a mom, so anything that involves family time and being with my kids. To unwind I read... a lot... and I exercise.
Alex: Which authors do you particularly admire and why?
Nina: Stephen King, because of his creativity and the fact that he doesn't hold back in his writing. I was drawn to his style from the very first time I read something of his and I've loved it ever since. I can read and re-read It, The Shining, Misery, Pet Cemetary, Salem's Lot, The Stand, etc. a thousand times and still never get bored of them. I think that is the true sign of an author's talent.
Alex: What can your readers expect from you in the future?
Nina: I am working on a new series right now. It's a young adult fantasy. My last novel took me out of the young adult world and although I love The Beast Within and am so proud of that story, I really wanted to get back to writing stories I'd let my kids read.
Nina: Stephen King, because of his creativity and the fact that he doesn't hold back in his writing. I was drawn to his style from the very first time I read something of his and I've loved it ever since. I can read and re-read It, The Shining, Misery, Pet Cemetary, Salem's Lot, The Stand, etc. a thousand times and still never get bored of them. I think that is the true sign of an author's talent.
Alex: What can your readers expect from you in the future?
Nina: I am working on a new series right now. It's a young adult fantasy. My last novel took me out of the young adult world and although I love The Beast Within and am so proud of that story, I really wanted to get back to writing stories I'd let my kids read.
Alex: What is the name of your next story?
Nina: The working title is Everdal, but I'm not sure what the published title will be yet. I've written the first draft and am working on re-writes now. I'm hoping to have it to my editor by the end of August. Once she gets her hands on it, I'll have to come up with the actual name if it is going to be changed.
Alex: Are you a full-time author?
Nina: I wish... that is the dream, right? I'm actually a Realtor, so how often I can write really depends on how busy the real estate market is.
Alex: What advice would you give a new author?
Nina: To always be writing. I love doing daily writing prompts, even if I just spend a couple of minutes each day journaling. I think the more you write the better you get. Before COVID, I was working with a group of teen writers, which I absolutely loved doing, and I helped them go from concept to publication. In the process, I learned a lot about my writing style and the processes I use. It helped me to develop some tools for other authors and led me to publish So You Want To Write A Book, Just Write, #WRITINGPROMPTS, and The Invisible You four workbook-style guides to help authors find their own process and style.
Nina: The working title is Everdal, but I'm not sure what the published title will be yet. I've written the first draft and am working on re-writes now. I'm hoping to have it to my editor by the end of August. Once she gets her hands on it, I'll have to come up with the actual name if it is going to be changed.
Alex: Are you a full-time author?
Nina: I wish... that is the dream, right? I'm actually a Realtor, so how often I can write really depends on how busy the real estate market is.
Alex: What advice would you give a new author?
Nina: To always be writing. I love doing daily writing prompts, even if I just spend a couple of minutes each day journaling. I think the more you write the better you get. Before COVID, I was working with a group of teen writers, which I absolutely loved doing, and I helped them go from concept to publication. In the process, I learned a lot about my writing style and the processes I use. It helped me to develop some tools for other authors and led me to publish So You Want To Write A Book, Just Write, #WRITINGPROMPTS, and The Invisible You four workbook-style guides to help authors find their own process and style.
Alex: Where can people follow you and learn about your books?
Nina: I am all over social media and I love to talk to readers, so anyone who wants to reach out is welcome.
Alex: For all those who'd like to learn more about Nina and her work, all her social media links can be found below, along with the Amazon links for her books.
All that remains for me is to thank you Nina for sharing your writing journey with us. It's been fascinating to hear you talk.
Nina: It's my pleasure, Alex. And thank you for inviting me over.
Nina: I am all over social media and I love to talk to readers, so anyone who wants to reach out is welcome.
Alex: For all those who'd like to learn more about Nina and her work, all her social media links can be found below, along with the Amazon links for her books.
All that remains for me is to thank you Nina for sharing your writing journey with us. It's been fascinating to hear you talk.
Nina: It's my pleasure, Alex. And thank you for inviting me over.
