In The Spotlight with Bayou Book Junkie ~ N.R. Walker
Today I'm feeling extremely happy and privileged to sit down and talk with one of my favorite authors, N.R. Walker. I've read nearly every one of her books and I haven't found one yet that I haven't loved. If you haven’t been introduced to N.R.’s work yet, she is the author of some fabulous series such as, Red Dirt Heart, Spencer Cohen, and Turning Point, and of course, these outstanding standalones: The Weight of it All, Blood and Milk and more recently, Switched, just to name a few. Ms. Walker resides in Australia with her husband and children. I've seen some gorgeous pictures of her backyard, which looks like a lovely place to sit back with some coffee or perhaps a cup of tea and create enthralling stories filled with lovable characters. She never fails to bring to life characters who share an undeniable chemistry and sizzle once they hit the bed or a field in Scotland, whichever is most convenient. ;) Her books bring out the best and worst part of being a reader: The dreaded book-hangover! I don't think any of her books have ever failed to leave me with one!! Not only is she an extremely talented and gifted storyteller, but from my interactions with her on social media, I've come to discover she is a very kind, generous and lovely person. Someone who is truly thankful for every thoughtful word and review she receives from her readers. But, don't take my word for it. Check out what some of her readers and peers had to say about her.
Author Lane Hayes:
"I met her in person at GRL. She's adorable. She's very friendly and approachable. Not to mention very talented. I love her passion for the MM genre and her sense of humor."
Author Riley Hart:
"I share a Facebook group with NR Walker and I was lucky enough to meet her at GRL last year. She's not only a fab writer, but she's also kind, funny, and always willing to jump in and help someone when they need it."
Jaymie, BBJ’s co-blogger and reader:
“The great thing about NR Walker is that when I pick up one of her books I know I am going to enjoy it. I have faith that it's going to be well written and I'm going to be taken on a journey in some way. I never have to debate whether or not to buy it or check out reviews first, I'm confident in just one-clicking it.”
Laura Keeling, reader:
“I love her books, her character development and the real life situations in her stories make me forget it’s not my friend telling me about their life!! Haha”
Michael Lorigan, reader:
"N.R. Walker's characters are real, ordinary people with ordinary problems. They’re not always six foot two with piercing blue eyes, perfect teeth, ruggedly handsome with six-pack abs. Her characters are imperfect, down-to-earth, and easily relatable.
It’s that relatability that draws you in and makes you root for them. You begin to care about them in such a way that, when you finally finish the book, you want to revisit them again and again."
It’s that relatability that draws you in and makes you root for them. You begin to care about them in such a way that, when you finally finish the book, you want to revisit them again and again."
Morningstar Ashley Diverse Reader reviewer and reader:
N.R. Walker has been a long time favorite author of mine. Since the first time (of the many, many) that I read her Thomas Elkin series all the way through reading her Spencer Cohen series. But I also got the chance to meet her at GRL 2016. I was able to speak at length with her and she is one of the nicest and funniest people I've met.
Tracy: Hi N.R., Welcome to Bayou Book Junkie! Thank you so much for agreeing to sit down and talk to me today. Please, tell is a bit about yourself and your current project(s).
N.R.: Thank you for having me! Can I just say, that intro made me all teary! So very lovely, and I’m very humbled.
For those who may not know, I’m an Australian woman, who just loves books! Love writing them, love reading them, love talking about them! I love sci-fi, I hate cooking, and I like my coffee in the mornings, tea in the afternoons.
My next release is called Imago, it’s the story of a lepidopterist (butterfly specialist) who meets a Parks and Wildlife officer. It’s 45k words long, super sweet and a bit hot. ☺
My current WIP is the sequel. I’m only 5k words into it so far, so it’s very early days yet.
Tracy: What is the most satisfying thing about being a writer?
N.R.: I really do have the best job in the world. The most satisfying thing is having people read the finished product and falling in love with the characters. 
Tracy: Do your characters ever take over your writing and make the story go somewhere you hadn’t originally planned?
N.R.: All the time. LOL All the damn time.
When I start writing a new book, I usually start with the ending. Weird, I know, but I usually have the final scene in my head first. Then the beginning, and sometimes one or two milestones, or plot points, that will happen along the way, but the characters tell the story.
Tracy: Is there a character in one of your books that you can’t stand? (Antagonist, for example) And what makes them someone you don’t like?
N.R.: I hated Joshua in Through These Eyes (from the Blind Faith Series). He was the bad guy, and he preyed on Isaac’s disability. People like that deserve all that Karma can bring.
Tracy: Which of your books was the most difficult to write?
N.R.: Breaking Point, from my Turning Point series. Matt’s spiral into self-destruction was horrifying to witness. I just wanted to take him home, wrap him in blankets and make him hot chocolate. 
N.R.: Ah, well, I’d like to say it’s easy but it’s not. I still get things wrong. LOL. I research a LOT. But there’s only so much research can do. I can use street view on Google to get a visual of the tattoo parlour and local shops and demographic in Spencer Cohen, but it can’t explain the actual smell of salt air on Venice Beach.
I do ask locals and read forums of travel sites to get real people’s opinions and experiences.
We are lucky, in one respect, because we are exposed to so much American culture with television and movies, and a lot of books as well.
Tracy: Would you ever collaborate with another author? If yes, what author in this genre would you like to write with?
N.R.: I’ve been asked this before, and my answer is always the same. I’d collab with JK Rowling, for sure. Ha! In all honesty, I’m not sure I would do a collab because it doesn’t suit my writing style. I can’t write to order, where someone gives a plot idea or character and I have to write it. That doesn’t work for me. The idea/character needs to come from my brain, and I doubt I could hand over a character to another author because they would have a different vision for him. While I’d be tempted to try it because I see other people do it and it’s exciting, but when it came down to it, I’m not sure I could.
Tracy: Are there any themes or tropes you really want to try but just haven't been able to find the right characters for it?
N.R.: Not really. I self-publish so I can write whatever I want. LOL I do have one on my writing schedule this year that I’m excited about writing. It’s a daddy-kink but there’s a serious undertone. I won’t say anymore because I always fear I’ll jinx myself. Tracy: How do you celebrate the completion and/or release of a new book?
N.R.: I don’t really. By the time a book is released, I’m usually knee-deep in a new WIP. If anything, when I finish a first draft, I’ll probably order in dinner, but there’s no popping of champagne. I’m terribly boring LOL
Tracy: You’ve written contemporary, as well as suspense and paranormal. What’s your favorite genre to read?
N.R.: Sci-fi and paranormal. Love love love it. I devour everything Jordan L Hawk writes. 
Tracy: What is your dream vacation?
N.R.: This is probably going to sound bizarre and probably selfish, but if I could spend a week anywhere by myself with no other people, I’d be in heaven. I love silence. And I NEVER get alone time. The destination wouldn’t matter. Winter country setting, tropic beach, busy city. I’m not fussy. But given it’s a dream vacay, can we throw in a personal chef. They can just make the food and leave LOL
Tracy: Besides writing how do you like to spend your time?
N.R.: I have two busy, sporty kids. When I’m not writing, I’m usually driving them all over to tournaments and training. I do like to unwind with my kindle, it just doesn’t happen as often I’d like LOL. 
Quick Fire Round:
Favorite Color? Teal or peacock blue.
Dressed up or casual? Casual. I wear jeans and a converse shirt most days.
Last song you listened to? Wicked Game by Vincent McMorrow.
Last person who texted you? My daughter.
Favorite curse word? Clusterfuck ☺
Tracy: Thanks so much for agreeing to do this interview. I have had so much fun and look forward to having you back again in the future!!
N.R.: I had a fabulous time, thank you!! 
About the Author:
N.R. Walker is an Australian author, who loves her genre of gay romance.
She loves writing and spends far too much time doing it, but wouldn't have it any other way.
She is many things; a mother, a wife, a sister, a writer. She has pretty, pretty boys who live in her head, who don't let her sleep at night unless she gives them life with words.
She likes it when they do dirty, dirty things...but likes it even more when they fall in love.
She used to think having people in her head talking to her was weird, until one day she happened across other writers who told her it was normal.
She's been writing ever since...
Where to find the author:
Great interview! Thanks - NR Walker is one of my favorite authors.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the interview!
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