Observing And Absorbing Everything With Author Nicole Kilpatrick

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About Nicole Kilpatrick

I was born and raised in the Philippines, and have been living in New York City for the past eighteen years, working at the United Nations Headquarters. When not writing, I’m often immersed in a good book or busy dreaming of future trips and upcoming meals. Yes, I spend a lot of time menu-planning. I live in Brooklyn with my husband and our not-so-stray-cat, Mowmow.

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How And When Did You Get Started Writing?

I’ve been a lifelong lover of books, but never really seriously considered writing a novel until 2017 when I took a shot at writing the book that I’ve been wanting to write for so long. In 2020, my debut novel, CLOVER, was published.

What Does Literary Success Look Like To You?

For me, it’s getting my work in the hands of as many readers as possible and receiving positive feedback and recognition from readers and authors alike.

What Actionable Tips And Tricks Do You Have For New Writers That They Can Apply Now On Their Journey As Budding Writers?

I’ve found that it’s important to observe and absorb everything–from books, to movies, TV shows, people you meet, situations you’re in, and interactions and events that you’ve witnessed. You may not realize it at the time, but it truly is a well of information and fodder for future work. Also, I’m a firm believer in a solid, but not immutable, outline. In my writing, it’s been very helpful as a sort of guide and gives me an idea of how much farther I’ve got to go with my manuscript. One last thing is get used to doing research–researching your story, researching agents, publishing houses, etc. There’s so much information out there, and it’s our job to try and assimiliate as much knowledge as we can.

What Are Common Traps For Aspiring Writers?

I feel like over-editing is one–the tendency to perenially re-write your work, even as you’re writing it. There will have to come a time to put down the proverbial pen and affix that last period on your work in progress. The other trap is thinking that you can’t do it, that’s it’s too hard, and giving up before you even got started. I think that the first step in achieving anything is believing that you can.

If You Could Tell Your Younger Writing Self Anything, What Would It Be?

Don’t give up! I know it seems so gargantuan a task, but believe me, if you persevere, you absolutely will be able to follow your dreams. You can and you WILL write that novel.

What Are Your Favorite Books? Fiction And/ Or Non-Fiction?

There are literally too many, but I’ll try to narrow it down. Pretty much everything Neil Gaiman ever wrote, On the Road by Jack Kerouac, The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas, the Farseer Trilogy by Robin Hobb, and all the Harry Potter Books.

Anything You’d Like To Plug?

My YA Fantasy, CLOVER, an adventure-filled, romantic, reimagining of the leprechaun trope is available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and other online retailers like Google Play and Apple. The sequel is coming out in the Fall!

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