Fallen Angel Reviews would like to welcome the amazing author, Nalini Singh. Ms. Singh has had a number of books out through Silhouette and has delved into the paranormal with her Psy/Changeling series at Berkley.

Can you start by telling us how you write? Are you a pantser? An outliner? Character-driven? Plot-driven?

I'm definitely a pantser, though I prefer being called an 'organic writer'! (A term I first heard from the lovely Robyn Donald). But now that I've started writing a series, I've had to learn to keep an eye on overarching plot arcs, especially the things that connect the books together.

I'm also definitely character driven. That's where a story begins for me - with the unique voice of a character whispering in my ear.

Looking through your website I am reminded that I would LOVE to reread Slave to Sensation and that I may have to haunt Amazon for your series romances. Can you tell us about your first sale? How did you find out and what did you do to celebrate?

Thank you Serena! :)

My first sale was pretty rocking. I sold my first book through the slush pile - yep - I'm one of those mythical creatures who had no agent and yet sold. It happens!

I'd been submitting to an editor at Desire for a while - she'd sent me good rejections and asked for further work. Then with "Desert Warrior", she sent me a revision letter two pages long. I freaked out, then did the revisions, sent them away and started trying not to think about it. (Didn't work. I was a basket case).

Then one Friday morning, while I was eating breakfast, I got THE CALL. I actually refused to pick up the phone at first - because of the time difference between NY and New Zealand, I 'knew' it had to be the editor and I was too scared/happy to pick it up. But I did! And wow, what a day. What made it even more special was that it was the day before my birthday!! I celebrated it several times over with all my friends.

What made you take the jump to paranormal?

I've always been interested in the paranormal. Then one day, I sat down and I just knew the world of "Slave to Sensation" and its people. Every part of me wanted to explore it. I wrote the first draft in about three weeks, which I think might be a land speed record for me. But I was completely fired up. I wanted to know how Lucas and Sascha's story turned out!

What is your favorite paranormal power? Would you ever like to have one? Even if for only a day?

Oooh, I think I'd like to be able to teleport, then I could whiz around the world and visit all my friends and family with a simple thought!

Will you please tell us a little bit about your current projects?

I'm currently doing the final edits on "Caressed By Ice", which is the 3rd Psy/Changeling book. I'm also working on a novella set in the same world, which will come out in time for Xmas next year. This is going to be backstory of Tamsyn and Nate, two characters who were introduced in Slave to Sensation. I'm having a great time writing this short, fun piece. Next up is book four in the Psy/Changeling series.

What is your favorite part of a book to write?

There are so many different facets I love. Doing the first draft is one of them. That rush of inspiration, that hunger to see it through to the end, it's an addictive high. There's nothing quite like it.

From what do you derive the most inspiration for your writing?

Hmm, this is a hard question but I think inspiration comes from 'story' wherever I find it. It may be in a word or it may be in a moment glimpsed out of the corner of my eye. I try to be open to whatever my imagination wants to show me.

Since everybody needs a break, even when doing something they love, how do you like to spend your time away from writing?

I love to read! I have a huge TBR pile. Aside from reading, I'm currently pigging out on TV. After living in Japan for three years and not being able to understand most of the programs, TV seems like a new and wonderful invention! Lol I'm sure I'll get over the TV addiction soon. (Fingers crossed).

I also like to get out into the outdoors, especially if it involves water. I grew up on a small Pacific Island so being near the sea just relaxes me like nothing else.

How has being published changed your life, if at all?

I used to be a lawyer in a commercial law firm before I sold, so that was a big career change. Because I wanted to spend more time on my writing, I then went to Japan for three years and lived and worked in a very small town. Another big change!

What would you like to accomplish with your writing career?

I want to tell stories till the day I keel over on the keyboard! I want to become the kind of writer that readers follow from book to book. I want to keep entertaining, keep making readers laugh and cry.

What does your working space look like?

Okay, I admit it. It's a mess. I work on a big desk and there's space for my laptop, manuscripts, cups of tea and pens. But there is a distinct lack of organization - especially when I'm deadlining. I do occasional tidyups, but then the pens creep all over and before I know it, there are tottering piles of manuscripts! I have to say though that I love it. I love being surrounded by writers' tools, from dictionaries, to pens, to those cups of tea.

What is a typical day like for you?

I returned from Japan only three months or so ago, so I'm still settling down. But I try to do some emails/office work in the morning, work steadily through the day, and then do some work at night too. I take breaks when I need them, so the structure as such is flexible, which I think is one of the great things about working as a writer.

Any advice for aspiring authors?

Believe in yourself and your dream. That is so, so important. It's what will keep you going no matter what.

Can you please give us a peek at the books you have coming soon?

Sure! If you'd like excerpts, drop by my site

In Feb, I have "Bound By Marriage" from Silhouette Desire, which is about a marriage of convenience that turns out all wrong when the heroine's ex-boyfriend shows up to tell her he loves her. The problem is, she's already married to a very alpha male who won't let her go. This one's a very
intense, emotional story. It's set in NZ's sheep-ranching country.

In March, I have "Visions of Heat" the second book in the Psy/Changeling series that began with "Slave to Sensation". This book is about Vaughn D'Angelo, a jaguar who was brought up in a leopard clan, and Faith NightStar, an F-Psy. Faith can see into the future and now she's seeing murder. Dare she trust Vaughn, who is far more animal than he is human?

Is there anything else you'd like to add?

Thanks for a great interview! If readers have any questions at all, please don't hesitate to contact me through my website.

Thank you so much for taking the time to answer our questions. If you'd like to get a deeper look into Ms. Singh as well as her books, take a look at her website.

Interviewed by: Serena