Nicki Pascarella’s The Lawman’s Fiery Pugilist releases tomorrow, and she was kind enough to answer some questions for us.
You can get your copy of this thrilling start to a new series HERE!
Did you always know you wanted to be an author? What is the first story you remember writing? How did you get from there to where you are today?
I knew I wanted to be an author when I was in kindergarten. I started penning stories as soon as I could write. My 7th grade teacher would let me read them to my class on Fridays. I put my dream of being a writer on hold while I taught High School. Although occasionally, I would write stories for my students. After thirty years as a special education teacher, I retired to become a full-time writer. I published my first book in 2021, a women’s fiction novel based on my grandfather’s World War ll stories.
What is the most inspiring place you’ve visited and has it shown up in one of your books?
When I was in 10th Grade, I participated in the Girl Scout English Laurel Exchange Program. I traveled to England for a summer cultural exchange. There were five siblings in my exchange family, and I stayed in a British Manor House in Yorkshire. It was amazing. Since that was almost 43 years ago, I’m not sure if I am able to capture the details in my writing. I desperately need another trip to England.
How much research do you do into the time period and places you write about? Do you have any experience dressing in character or participating in living history situations or are you more a fan of libraries and online resources?
I spent a lot of time researching the history of women’s pugilism before I wrote my Dragonblade series. Author Edie Cay was an amazing resource. I also read everything I could online and purchased boxing history books on Amazon. I actually boxed for years—full contact. Although boxing had different rules in Regency times than it currently does, I used my experiences and tried to capture what it feels like to be in the ring.
What drew you to the era you write in? Is there something about the time period you think most people don’t know about? What do you think would be the most difficult part about living in that period?
I love both the Regency and the Victorian eras. I have not written anything Victorian yet. I plan to in the future. I think most people don’t realize that female pugilists existed during these times.
What are your favorite kind of characters to write? Do you have a specific trope that you’re drawn too?
I work hard to make all of my characters very different. I suppose I like to write feisty women, although I don’t write them all feisty. I also like men with self-depreciating senses of humor. I like to explore different tropes and am always trying to perfect my craft and style.
Where is your favorite place to write? Does it change depending on where you are in the process?
I like to sit on my couch with my pups on either side of me when I write. Old sitcoms are always playing in the background. The TV volume is off, and I can’t see the screen, so I have no idea why this helps me concentrate.
Which comes first for you: the plot or the characters?
I always know who my characters are first. Then my tropes. Then the plot.
Do you know where the story is going before you begin, or does it come to you as you write? Do scenes come to you fully formed or are you as surprised as the reader?
I know where my story is going before I begin. I map out my characters, tropes, setting, a dozen plot points, the meet cute, the dark moment, and the climax. As I write, the story evolves and I add things.
Do you write better in the morning or evening? How do you handle the distractions of working from home, especially if you’re sharing the space with others?
I write on and off all day. My husband and daughter work outside our house, so I have a space to myself. My older dog keeps me company when I write. My younger pup likes to slap my keyboard and jump on me. I have author friends that I write over Zoom with. On Saturday mornings I write with Maggie Sims, Cecilia Rene, Darah Lace, KyAnn Waters, and Jena Doyle. On Tuesday mornings, I write with Christina Diane, Lizzie C. Koz, Caroline Lee, Cecilia Renee, Tracy Sumners, and Kathleen Ayers. My writing friends keep me motivated and are a tremendous source of inspiration. They mean the world to me.
When it’s difficult to physically travel, how do you find ways to escape?
I am a dancer and a choreographer, so I dance. I love to run with my dogs. And I am a voracious reader.
From all your books, who is your favorite hero and why?
Yikes. That’s hard. My favorite hero is usually whoever is in my current WIP. Although, if I had to pick just one, probably Bow Street Runner, Edward Robinson in The Lawman’s Fiery Pugilist. I love detectives and cops. I also have a soft spot for my vigilante hero, Eric Stone in Juliet’s Touch.
What do you like to read when you’re not reading in your genre? Did you have a favorite book or series when you were growing up?
I always have two or three books going at once. Of course, I love Historical Romance. Some of my favorite authors are Elizabeth Hoyt, Loretta Chase, Lorraine Heath, Julie Anne Long, Tessa Dare, Eve Silver, Tracy Sumner and Caroline Lee. I also love amateur sleuth series, both contemporary and historical: Janet Evanovich, Stephanie Bond, Deanna Rayborne, Irina Shapiro, Rhys Bowen, Jana Deleon, to name a few. My first published series was about a female sleuth, psychic college professor who solved mysteries in the 1980s and 1990s. I go through phases. I’ve had my classics phase. My Anne Rice phase. My Brandon Sanderson… Game of Thrones… etc. I am into Steampunk right now. Bec McMaster is a genius. My favorite book growing up was Little Women. My favorite book of all time is A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving.
