This week, I was fortunate to have a conversation with Nicole Knapp, the author of Hook & Crown and The Missing Piece. Originally from California and currently living in Oklahoma, USA, Nicole loves to read and write Young Adult Romance, fantasy, and the classics.
Read on as she talks about her life as a writer and reader, her latest book, lessons she learnt after publishing the first book, her favorite authors and books, and more.
1. Let’s begin with a brief introduction of yours, and a brief overview of your latest book—Hook & Crown.
As you know, my name is Nicole Knapp. I am 29 and live in Oklahoma, USA. I am an avid reader, writer and a complete coffee addict.
Hook & Crown is a dark and twisted retelling of the classic story Peter Pan. The story follows Elena, a teenager who moves to London to attend a new school. When she arrives, strange things start to happen, and she eventually finds herself in Neverland, where things are both like, and not like, the stories.
2. Where did you get the idea behind the story of Hook & Crown? Do the characters come from real-life incidents or from your own imaginations?
I have always loved the story of Peter Pan, and I always imagined a darker twist on the story, so I decided to write it myself.
My characters are from my own imagination, but each character also has traits from people and events in my own life. I feel that makes them more realistic and relatable.
3. Three lessons that you learnt after publishing your first book— The Missing Piece? How did these helped you to craft the second one?
The Missing Piece was such a learning experience for me. I learned to research, then research some more. I also learned how to get myself out there and market myself and my books. The biggest lesson I learned from publishing The Missing Piece though is to not doubt myself and my writing so much.
All of those lessons really came in handy when writing and querying Hook & Crown and will stick with me in my future projects.
4. What’s your favorite memory from the writing process of Hook & Crown?
My favorite memories from writing Hook & Crown are honestly all of the late nights I spent writing. The quiet and the words flowing, those are my favorite times. And of course, the day that my publisher, The Parliament House, picked the book up.
5. When did you realize that you wanted to be a writer?
I think on some level I always knew I wanted to be a writer. It is something I always enjoyed and loved doing, but it wasn’t until I was about 25 that I really started to take it seriously and turn it into a career.
6. Whom do you consider your icons when it comes to writing? Any favourite authors?
The list is so long! I admire all of my fellow Parliament House authors of course. But some of my main influences are Sarah J Maas, Leigh Bardugo, Lisa Maxwell and Cassandra Clare. They are also some of my favorite authors as well.
7. What are some of your favorite Young Adult Romance books?
I adore the Throne of Glass series, and A Court of Thorns and Roses. The Grisha Trilogy really hit me in the feelings too!
8. A quick-fire round
Books that have influenced your life?
Throne of Glass series
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Keep writing, through writer’s block and anxiety and everything else, keep writing.
If your book were to be turned into a movie, who are the celebrities that you would love to star in it?
Lily Collins, Colin O’Donoghue and Jeremy Sumpter.
Luck or Hard Work, what do you think weighs more in defining a successful person?
Hard work! Luck is great and will get you some places, but hard work will get you everywhere!
9. What’s next for Nicole Knapp?
Well, at the moment I am waiting to hear back about a short story I submitted for a special anthology. And I am also working on the Hook & Crown sequel, which is currently about 3/4 of the way finished right now. And after that… we shall see.
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Enjoyed reading this
I totally agree that hard work pays and the interview was really good one. i look forward to read this book.