N.C. Anderson

 

Born and raised in Des Moines, Iowa, N.C. Anderson now resides in the Sierra Nevada foothills in California, where she writes novels about romance and suspense. Having a supportive family, being surrounded by loving critters, and being an artist serve to nurture her passion for writing about love and emotional drama. Ms. Anderson is previously published in short fiction and non-fiction.
Three stories submitted for the EDGAR AWARD:
Mystery shorts FUTURES magazine Feb/March, April/May, June/July 1999. Her Thriller/Romantic Suspense novel and EPIE 2000 finalist 'FIXATION' is now available from Publish America and Amazon.com.Visit N.C. Anderson online at http://nancanderson.romance-central.com/index.html

 

"FIXATION is an intriguing romantic suspense that centers on how easily a fatal attraction can destroy an innocent individual. The story line never lets up as Jess and Grady fall in love on the one hand and a vicious stalker becomes crazier and more desperate on the other hand. The two subplots blend into a deep plot that will entertain sub-genre fans, who will clamor for more works by N.C. Anderson." Reviewed by Harriet Klausner

"Tender. Poignant. In FIXATION, NanC Anderson deftly explores a tortured journey: a woman with an abusive past, a family ready to believe destructive lies about her, and conspirators determined to make those lies truths. Aided in overcoming her challenges, respecting herself and her convictions, she discovers the healing and joy only found in love." Award winning author, Vicki Hinze DUPLICITY

 

 

Pageonelit.com: Where did you grow up and was reading and writing a part of your life? Who were your earliest influences and why?

N.C. Anderson: I grew up in Des Moines, Iowa. My first reading experiences were very frustrating-being a slow reader, and in the classroom we were limited time for reading, you couldn't take the books home, and by the time I got to the middle of the story, and into it, the books were taken away and a new one introduced. There were no libraries nearby, and few books in our home, but there was art, so I turned to art. I could draw my stories without limitations. Research in school, inspired me to read. The first Harlequin Romance I read started my capture to writing. I became fascinated with books that could snare me into the story and from just one point of view. After reading several hundred of them, I decided it looked easy so I would write one. It took me about three days of writing to discover that the 'easy' was the hardest challenge I had ever given myself. In my second manuscript I also discovered that one point of view would never work for someone as nosy as me. Anne Mather, Margaret Rome, Dorothy Cork, Flora Kidd, and Janet Daily were my inspirations to 'write'. Tennessee Williams, Jane Austen, Agatha Christie, William Faulkner, must have influenced my 'gothic' story attitude and all the things I want to know about a character.

 

Pageonelit.com: Why do you write?

N.C. Anderson: I used to do all my story telling with pencil and paper or paint and canvass, then one day I challenged myself to using 'words' for the paint--no one warned me of the writing addiction. Once the writing process begins, there seems to be no way to cure it-not that I ever want to be cured. When I read, I love trying to beat the author by figuring out all the 'loose ends' of the story before I get to the end-especially the suspense, mystery, or subplot of the story. Since I know I do this, I love to think anyone reading my stories would be doing that also, so I try not to know the end until I get there-more addiction.

 

Pageonelit.com: Tell us about your novel FIXATION. Where did the idea for this book come from?

N.C. Anderson: The ideas for this book came from the main character, Jessica Simon, as her interview revealed she had problems she wanted to do something about, so I let her begin solving them. The book evolved on paper and computer one scene at a time, blow by blow, so to speak. I had to get to the end to find out what happened.

 

Pageonelit.com: Tell us about your main character Jessica Simon.

N.C. Anderson: I had just finished my second manuscript at 2 a.m. one morning and was sitting, staring at the computer screen, and feeling a vacant, hard to describe sort of depression My son came past the room and ask what was wrong. After I told him, he brought me a cup of coffee and said well, Mom, start outlining another story. I typed 'Jessica Simon' on the screen and started asking her who she was and what was her problem. By 3 a.m. I had most of her life and what was happening to her written in interview, though there were a few questions she flatly refused to answer. I could relate easily to her art and love of creating, but her business side was not something I could share any knowledge about or with the tragedies she had experienced. I liked her instantly, so I let her tell her part of the story. What a surprise when I discovered characters sneaking up on her…

 

Pageonelit.com: What is it about the romance genre that you like best?

N.C. Anderson: I can't say that 'romance genre' is what I like best-I love great stories. I love the happy ending which tends to be required in the romance genre, and intensely dislike it any other way. My family knows better than to take me along to a movie with a sad ending-they've done it and have learned it isn't a good thing. Life is about relationships. Every fiction book I've ever read, regardless of genre, has had at the core a relationship, be it love in deep friendship and loyalty or love between a man and a woman. I like the hero and heroine beating the odds and winning, something I can expect in the romance genre.

 

Pageonelit.com: Who are your favorite writers and why?

N.C. Anderson: Gosh, I've got several. Mary Higgins Clark-yanks me into her stories and sometimes scares me silly. LaVyrle Spencer - Her characters are always terrific and she is not era restricted which I love. Tom Clancy-the only thing fiction about his stories are the characters-and that's scary too. Tony Hillerman-his stories are an education and a complete entertainment. Minette Walters, John Grisham, Rosamunde Pilcher, all these authors teach me a lot about 'stories'

 

Pageonelit.com: What's next?

N.C. Anderson: I have five manuscripts finished (one available in ebook at the Fiction Works.com title 'Risky Alliance') and two works in progress. I will keep looking for homes for them.

 

Pageonelit.com: What was the last book you read?

N.C. Anderson: Lilian Jackson Braun's The Cat Who Robbed a Bank. Talk about fun reads! I have a 'to be read' stack of books I may never live long enough to finish…

 

Pageonelit.com: Do you have any hobbies? What are they? How do they enhance your writing?

N.C. Anderson: I'm an artist, and have done contracted paintings for people, and taught privately, but it is my hobby and my main learning tool. Every stroke of the brush enhances my writing. Drawing and painting and photography are incredible ways to learn to 'see,' 'hear,' 'smell,' 'touch,' 'taste', and gain incite into the spiritual.