Let's give a warm welcome to R.L. Nanquin! =)
Larissa's Bookish Life: What Inspired Monster In My Closet?
R.L. Nanquin: One day out of the blue, I got this picture in my head of a closet monster reading the newspaper at the kitchen table. From that moment, Maurice was born. The rest of the story followed. Oddly, it was originally a YA idea, and Zoey was a boy. So, you can see how much the original idea changed.
LBL: Do you consider it Urban Fantasy?
R.L.N.: Absolutely. The Monster Haven series takes place in our world in Bolinas and Sausalito, California. Monsters, mythical creatures, and urban legends exist in this world, but very few people are aware of them. Also, some humans have special abilities, like seeing the future or reading auras.
It’s not paranormal romance, though. There’s a romance in it, but it’s not the focus of the stories, and if you took out the romance, it wouldn’t really change the story. There seems to be a misconception lately that urban fantasy and paranormal romance are the same thing. They crossover, sure, but they aren’t the same thing.
LBL: What types of books do you personally enjoy reading?
R.L.N.: I read a lot of different things, but there’s almost always some magical, supernatural, time travel, or futuristic element. Urban fantasy, epic fantasy, science fiction, steampunk, horror…I love them all.
LBL: How many books do you have planned in the series?
R.L.N.: I’m contracted for six books in the Monster Haven series. I don’t think there will be more after that. I’ve planned out the entire story arc. Going past that would mean starting a new arc, and I don’t think I want to do that. When I’m done, I’m done. I don’t want to risk a shark jump.
Having said that, I’m playing with a character in book three who may branch off into her own series. We’ll see.
LBL: Are the plots already planned, or do you come up with things as you go along?
R.L.N.: I’ve got it all planned pretty thoroughly. I can’t write without a solid outline and index cards and a big whiteboard with chapter numbers and characters all over it. I’m a little neurotic.
LBL: I love that in the world you created we get all sorts of "monsters" that we don't usually see written about. Was that on purpose?
R.L.N.: It was definitely on purpose. I love vampires and shape shifters, but I really wanted to avoid them. There are so many other creatures in myth and legend to mess with. Wait till you get to book three. I’ve got quite the overcrowded menagerie for you.
Now I want to know a little bit more about your tastes:
LBL: Favorite Paranormal themed Movie?
R.L.N.: Drop Dead Fred
LBL: Favorite Paranormal themed TV Show?
R.L.N.: Buffy the Vampire Slayer
LBL: Favorite Paranormal themed Book?
R.L.N.: The first couple of books in the Anita Blake series.
LBL: Favorite Author?
R.L.N.: Neil Gaiman
LBL: Favorite Genre that is NOT your own?
R.L.N.: Dark fantasy or horror.
LBL: Favorite one of your Books?
R.L.N.: Book three, Fairies in My Fireplace
LBL: Who is your favorite of your own characters?
R.L.N.: adore Phil the gargoyle. Writing dialog for him is so much fun.
LBL: Which was the hardest to write?
R.L.N.: Silas the pooka was difficult, simply because only Zoey could hear him. I had to juggle a room full of people who were oblivious to him and still make sure Zoey acknowledged him without letting anyone else in the room know what was going on. Tricky.
LBL: What would you be if not a writer?
R.L.N.: I used to think being a field biologist would be cool. I imagined living in a tree for months while documenting the habits of weaverbirds, or something weird like that. Now that I’m older, I think simple zoology wouldn’t be enough for me. I’d have to be a cryptozoologist chasing after Big Foot and chupacabras sightings. I don’t imagine there’s a lot of money in any of that, though.
LBL: If you Could be a Paranormal Being, Who would you be?
R.L.N.: I would be a mermaid. Given the choice, I will always be a mermaid.
LBL: If you could meet any Paranormal Character out there, Who would you like to meet?
R.L.N.: Does the Doctor count? Because, seriously. The Doctor.
Quickies:
LBL: Coffee or Tea?
R.L.N.: Coffee in the morning, then tea the rest of the day and into the night
LBL: Day or Night?
R.L.N.: Night
LBL: Closet Monsters or Skunk Apes?
R.L.N.: Both!
LBL: Angels or Demons?
R.L.N.: Demons
LBL: Reading or Writing?
R.L.N.: Oh, that’s hard. I can’t choose between them. I write because I read.
LBL: Print or eBook?
R.L.N.: As a digital-first author, I’m obligated to say “ebook.” But print books are still pretty awesome.
LBL: Hardback or Paperback?
R.L.N.: Hardback
LBL: LBL: Pepsi or Coke?
R.L.N.: Coke
YA novels or Adult novels?
R.L.N.: Adult
LBL: Library or Bookstore?
R.L.N.: Bookstore. Love libraries, too, though.
LBL: Summer or Winter?
R.L.N.: Summer!
LBL: The Movie or The Book?
R.L.N.: The book first. Then the movie.
LBL: What is your favorite part of the writing process?
R.L.N.: The actual writing part!
LBL: What is your least favorite part?
R.L.N.: Getting through slow scenes.
LBL: The Monster Haven Series in your own words?
R.L.N.: An empathic wedding planner helps monsters with their personal problems. Shenanigans ensue, and they save the world together before taking a break for muffins and strawberry lemonade.
LBL: What are you working on right now?
R.L.N.: Book four, Golem in My Glovebox. Also, a super-secret project that’s totally unrelated.
LBL: Do you have any advice or tip to those like me that want to become a published Author someday?
R.L.N.: Read. Write. Ignore anyone who tells you the odds are stacked against you. You are not a statistic. Your success depends on your own determination. If your writing isn’t finding success, keep writing until it gets better. Take some classes to improve it. Everyone gets discouraged sometimes, but if this is something you really want, make it happen. You’re the only one who can.
LBL: Anything you would like to say to your fans out there?
R.L.N.: People have been so wonderful to me. I just want to say thank you to every person who’s tweeted about my books, sent me lovely emails, left me a note on my Facebook wall, or written a great review. I’m overwhelmed by the kindness and enthusiasm people have shown for me and my books. You’re all awesome.
LBL: Thank you so much for being here!
R.L.N.: Larissa, thank you for having me! It was great talking to you!
ABOUT R.L. NANQUIN
R. L. Naquin is an urban fantasy novelist and short story writer. Her first novel is Monster in My Closet from Carina Press. Rachel lives in a world slightly askew from the rest of us.
She is an expert in monsters, urban legends, and mythological creatures. In her spare time, she ponders the care and feeding of cryptozoological creatures — and shares her tips on Twitter as @RLNaquin #monstertrivia.
Originally from Northern California, Rachel has a tendency to move every few years. She has lived in seven different states, and had a six-year stint in England. Currently, she’s hiding in the Heartland, planning her next grand adventure. She has one heroic husband, two genius kids, three annoyed cats, and an imaginary dog named Waffles. She doesn’t have time for a real dog.
Follow her on Twitter @RLNaquin
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love the sound of The Monster Haven Series!!! Sounds Awesome!! Great interview- loved the answers :0)
A fun interview thank you. I do love libraries & bookstores.
Thanks for the fun interview :) I'm so excited cuz I just got Monster in My Closet and I can't wait to start reading :)
I enjoyed the interview and I think both books sound great. I love the titles of the books, they're catchy and make me even more interested in the books.
Sounds interesting
Great review thanks for sharing with us .
Okay now you cannot say supper secret project like that LOL Thank you for taking the time to share with us. I wish you every success and joy.
Sounds interesting.