Cheri's 20 Questions! - An Interview With Author, Nicole Asselin
- Cheri Champagne
- Sep 14, 2019
- 8 min read
Welcome to Cheri's 20 Questions! My interviewee today is the amazing Nicole Asselin. Welcome! Nicole is currently a Technical Writer in the Health Care industry outside of Boston MA. She graduated from Curry College in 2004 with a degree in English/Creative Writing, and she completed her master’s in arts management in 2010 from George Mason University. Nicole grew up as a Navy Brat and moved all over the country before settling down in MA. She has three gorgeous kitties and loves diving into new books and new ideas. Her debut novel, “Murder at First Pitch” has just been released! Go Red Sox!
Hi Nicole! Please tell us a little something about what you write:
My debut novel is set on the South Shore of Massachusetts and focuses on a family owned (fictional) Independent League Baseball team. It’s a cozy mystery in which the main character comes back to work with the team and her family, only to have it marred by the murder of someone in the dugout of the team.
Interview Questions:
Cheri: What is the first book that made you cry?
Nicole: Hm. I don’t know if it made me cry, but I definitely remember being affected by reading “To Kill a Mockingbird” in 9thgrade. It was the first time I realized how much I loved reading. It was the book that put me on this crazy bibliophile path the rest of my life.
Also, “Moby Dick”….but for different reasons. Cause I hated it and had to read it for my Senior Capstone in college. It broke me that year.
Cheri: Does writing energize or exhaust you?
Nicole: A little bit of both I would say. When I’m in the first stages of the creative process, I can’t wait to get my ideas down on paper. Then there is a lull where I realize that I have to make some of these crazy ideas connect in someway. That can be exhausting.
BUT, I when I get my edits from the editor back, it’s exhilarating all over again. At that point I learn new things about my own book that make it so much more fun to get back into.
Cheri: If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?
Nicole: Just do it! Girl, if you have a story to tell, don’t be afraid of writing it. It might not make any money, but even if you publish one book, you’ve hit your goal.
Also, save money. Cause you’re gonna need money when you’re an adult. Trust me.
Cheri: How did publishing your first book change your process of writing?
Nicole: It made me more confident in myself. It showed me I could do this and get my stories out there into the world. Now when I write, I know I have at least one book out in the world and that someone would want to read my stories. It just gives me a that boost of confidence to keep going.
Cheri: What was the best money you ever spent as a writer?
Nicole: Conferences! I attended Malice Domestic in Bethesda, MD for the first time as a reader in 2016 with my dad. It was there I got my inspiration to start my Baseball Mysteries Series. I’ve always been a cozy mystery fan and interacting with some of my favorite authors got me thinking about what I could write. The networking alone was invaluable, and plus, I learned about new authors and picked up some new series to read as well!
This will be my first year going back as a published author (or soon to be published author). I’m excited to share my experiences with other aspiring authors and hopefully inspire the next group of cozy authors.
Cheri: What was an early experience where you learned that language had power?
Nicole: I go back to that first experience with “To Kill a Mockingbird.” It was the first time I read a novel that made me think and explore my own life in relation to others. The book opened my eyes a bit more to just some of the racial injustices in the world, and I knew that I would be forever learning about cultures and identities outside of my own. Without studying that book, I don’t know if I would have become the voracious reader that I am now. I think that helps inform my world view and that book was the catalyst of me wanting to learn more about history other than my own.
Cheri: What is your favourite under appreciated novel?
Nicole: I have a few. Mainly mysteries. I love the Bibliophile mysteries by Kate Carlisle. They are the perfect encapsulation of a cozy mystery. Plus, they include books! It was one of the series that really made me want to write one.
Anything by Simone St. James. I was introduced to her by a writer friend, Dale Phillips, and have been hooked ever since! I’ve read her entire catalogue and eagerly await a new one! Gothic mystery at it’s best.
Anna Lee Huber’s Lady Darby and Verity Kent series.
Deanna Raybourn’s Veronica Speedwell series.
Cheri: As a writer, what would you say is your mascot/avatar/spirit animal?
Nicole: A cat. I’m an introvert, extremely set in my ways, and love to nap. But seriously. A cat.
Cheri: How many published, unpublished, and half-finished books do you have?
Nicole: Well, my first soon to be published book, Murder at First Pitch. My first novel I wrote was in 6thgrade, and I kept in a decorated manila folder. I think I had 100 hand written pages (early 90’s). When I moved from Jacksonville, FL back to Mechanicsburg, PA…. the military movers (my dad was in the Navy), “LOST” that folder. I’ve never forgotten it.
Currently I have two fantasy novels that I’m working and are half finished. One about a woman who inherits a fairy tale library in her attic, and one about a wayward princess. And of course, book two in my Ballpark Mysteries which continues to follow Madeline in her journey of running the family business.
Cheri: What does literary success look like to you?
Nicole: Just having my book on the shelf somewhere. To be able to walk into one of my favorite indie shops, go to the mystery section, and see “Nicole Asselin” on the spine of a book.
Cheri: What do you feel is the best way to market your books?
Nicole: I can’t wait to bring my books to minor league baseball games and Cape Code League games this summer. There are so many readers who love the sport, and I want to reach them at the place they are at.
Since it’s set in my actual town, I also can’t wait to work with the Abington Public Library for events through the summer. I’ve also created book marks and postcards to send and get the word out. It helps that I have a very supportive Social Media friend group to help spread the word as well! Plus, being a member of Sister in Crime (National/NE) helps get the word out too!
Cheri: What kind of research do you do, and how much time do you typically spend researching before beginning a new book?
Nicole: I don’t do a ton of research. The books I tend to write are modern day so the research I have is basically my life. Starting this ballpark series, I knew I wanted to write about small time baseball, and I picked up a book called “The Only Rule is You Have to Win” which is a non-fiction about two guys who bought a baseball team. They did it out of statistical analysis, but it provided a glimpse into the lives of the baseball players as well. I tried you use some of that knowledge in my book.
I also hope to attend or view a fantasy baseball camp for women. I know more MLB teams are doing them, and I would love to get more insight into my book through that.
Cheri: How do you select the names for your characters?
Nicole: Well, I love names. Anytime I hear an interesting name I file it away for a rainy day. My main character in the Ballpark mysteries, Madeline Boucher, is actually the current name of my youngest cat. I loved the Madeline books growing up, and in my heart I’m a Francophile, so I wanted a name with a little French flair. Since this book is an ode to my French-Canadian Grandfather, I wanted a last name that reflected my heritage.
I’m also a bit obsessed with “old lady” names. There is a character in the book named Esther who is a 20-something security expert. I like the juxtaposition of her name being considered old, and her actual life which is super tough. Also, I love the Golden Girls, so those names are always on my list
Cheri: Do you hide secrets (or Easter Eggs) in your books for people to find?
Nicole: Well, not so much secrets, but I try to put some Red Sox stuff in my Ballpark mysteries as much as possible. I’ve been a fan my whole life, and that is one of the reasons I started this mystery series. It’s also a little *wink* at my Grandfather who is no longer with us and was the one who instilled the Red Sox love in me.
Cheri: What was your hardest scene to write?
Nicole: I would love to say the murder was the hardest part to write, cause then I won’t seem crazy. But actually, the hardest thing to write is the downtime between scenes. It’s hard to make the mundane readable. Introducing friends into the story helps make the little moments seem realistic, but also still entertaining.
Cheri: What is the most difficult part of your artistic process?
Nicole: For me, it’s definitely setting aside time to write. With a day job, it’s hard to find time to churn out words regularly. I try to use my weekends to their full advantage, but sometimes that is hard too. It’s all about getting words on paper, and sometimes that’s the hardest step to accomplish!
Cheri: How long, on average, does it take you to write a book?
Nicole: The first book in my series took me 6 months to write. I was ready for it. Then it took a year to go through, look at it again, decide what worked and what didn’t. The next in the series has been taking longer, mainly because I wanted to make sure I didn’t miss anything from the first book in the second book. Like new characters, or situations that may have happened.
Cheri: What is your favourite childhood book?
Nicole: Make Way for Ducklings has always been my favorite (as a New Englander). I also have a book from when my Dad was stationed in Hawaii that helps with all the pronunciations of Hawaiian words written for kids. I still have it and love it! Also, the original American Girl series. Molly and Shannon for the win!
Cheri: Where/when do you find yourself most inspired?
Nicole: I think most writers can relate, but I always get my best ideas when I’m in bed half asleep. I’ve started to keep a notebook near me at all times because of that.
I also love sitting in the café of a bookstore and working. Just being surrounded by books is comforting and inspiring.
Cheri: Lastly, do you have any advice for aspiring writers?
Nicole: If you have a story, write it! If you have an idea, write it! Tell it to people. I guarantee there is someone out there with the same questions in their minds, or the same interests as you who would love to read your story. Even if it’s just for yourself, writing is therapeutic, and you never know, you might be the next JK Rowling!
Cheri: Thank you so much for answering my questions, Nicole, and letting us get to know you better! It's been a pleasure having you!