I’m very, VERY pleased today to be visiting with Niki Daninger, an old friend and now a debut author. Hi, Niki, and welcome. Tell us a little about yourself.

I grew up on Long Island – I was what you might call an artsy-fartsy nerd. If I wasn’t drawing, I had my nose stuck in a fantasy book. I always thought I’d go into illustration, my earliest dream was to be a Disney animator, but alas, that field was too competitive for me. I never thought I’d be an author because I hated writing in school. It wasn’t until after college, and a particularly vivid dream, that I decided to give it another try.

Your book comes out Thursday, October 1, as part of an anthology, yes?

Yes. MICAH’S MESS is in “Bewitching Desires – A Savannah Coven Anthology. It’s a paranormal romance, as are all twelve stories in the anthology. There are stories of Love, Hate, and Desire, and the anthology is packed full of Witches, Warlocks, Werewolves, Ghosts, and even a Reaper. All based around the great holiday of Samhain – or, as mere humans call it, Halloween. The witches of the Savannah coven are all preparing themselves for their favorite holiday, but on the night when humans and spirits collide nothing ever goes as planned. Journey with an angel across the country, with a reaper chasing a soul hiding in someone else’s body, to a haunted hotel, with a reluctant supreme witch who’d rather give her powers to someone else, not to mention eight other wild and intriguing encounters.

My hero, Micah, is a self proclaimed selfish-ass, who wants nothing more than to take over the Savannah Coven. He doesn’t need an angel looking over his shoulder, and he doesn’t need to feel responsible for her safety. But fate intervenes. As the two travel across the southern half of The United States, they must face demons—his and hers, and discover the one thing that can save them both.

Readers can preorder it now or buy it Thursday from AMAZON or BARNES AND NOBLE.

This sounds like an awesome story, Niki, and how cool that all the novellas in the anthology are interconnected. Fun reading! I’m going to get a little up-close and personal now because inquiring minds want to know. When did you know you were a writer?

After my first NaNoWriMo. Before that, I was just goofing around, making up characters, worlds, bits of dialogue and plots.

I remember my first NaNoWriMo! LOL I finally learned how to write all the way through a book without editing so I could actually get to THE END! Next question. What three authors, living or dead, would you want to have dinner with?

Well I’ve already had lunch with you soooo… 😉 Hmmmm, good question. I’d have to say my favorite three authors from growing up. Not because I think we’d get along, but because their stories still live inside me. Melanie Rawn, Tad Williams, and Terry Brooks. Did you see the Shannara series is gonna be on TV?!? I’d love to have dinner with him while on set in New Zealand 😀

Awww. Aren’t you sweet! I enjoyed our visit in New York several years ago. It was fun sneaking you into the literacy signing. 😉 And I agree about the Shannara TV show. I’m looking forward to seeing it, mainly because of the gorgeous sets and I’ve only read the first book–VERY long ago–so have no preconceived notions of the characters. Speaking of New Zealand, are you a jet-setter or armchair traveler?

I wish I could jet-set but alas, I am an armchair traveler.

As long as we’re talking about traveling, where would you most like to visit?

Hawaii – hands down.

To everyone who knows me, this next question will come as no surprise. Coffee, Tea, or Other?

OJ! Actually, I am gaining an appreciation for fruity teas.

Are you a glass ½ full or ½ empty kind of girl?

½ full. I have my pessimistic moments but I’m a bubble, can’t keep me down for long.

This is true. You are effervescent! 😉 What are you currently reading?

I’m currently reading Harry Potter to my girls. I haven’t had much time recently for myself.

I’m sure they’re enjoying it and what fun to spend special time with them. What’s next on your reading list?

Not for the girls, for me. I’d like to read The Diviners by Libba Bray.

Hrm. Not familiar with that title. I’ll have to check it out. We’d like to know a little about your writing process. When and were do you write?

I can write at any time and in any place but I am at my best when everyone else goes to bed.

I remember those days. What about music? Do you have a writing soundtrack?

UGH – I can not write in a quiet house, I NEED music. I have eclectic tastes though. I listen to everything from soundtracks, to heavy metal. Spotify is my friend 😉

Ah, another music fan! Let’s talk about inspiration now. How about your characters? Where did you come up with them? Did anyone or anything inspire you to create them?

Honestly, I can’t think of any inspirations, Micah and Isolde just came to me one night and I plotted out most of their story before bed. I figured few would have a male lead and I’d never told a story solely from a guy’s POV.

I enjoy writing from the guy’s POV so yay for you doing it! What about your plot?

This is the first time I’ve written a short story so plotting it for under 15K was hard. I wanted some action and I knew my characters had to get away – they needed time to get to know each other, so I sent them on a journey. (That would be the fantasy lover in me rearing her head.)

Road trip! I’ll bring the junk food. What about setting?

The story is part of an anthology, so all the stories needed, at some point, to be in Savannah, Georgia.

Oooh. Savannah. That’s one place I’ve always wanted to go and haven’t managed to get there yet. Some day! So…process. Are you a Plotter (carefully plot books), Pantser (write from the seat of your pants), or Puzzler (write scenes and then fit them together in the right order)?

I start out as a puzzler. Random scenes and bits of dialogue come to me and I try to figure out who the characters are, what they want, where everything takes place etc.. Once I get that all figured out I turn into an obsessive plotter. I outline everything in minute detail, from start to finish. Do some things change along the way? Yes, but not often, and if they do, I adjust my outline.

Ah, a writer after my own heart. Well, except for that excessive plotting thing after the puzzle. 😉 Any superstitions–must-have foods, shirt, pen, or other little idiosyncrasies you want to share?

Nope, I’m not superstitious at all. My only necessity is music.

I can’t write in a void either but I’ll admit to a secret superstition of my own. Whenever I start a new project, I always open a folder in Scrivener titled “Last Chapter.” Then I open Chapter 1 and start writing. What’s your next project?

I am 150k into a story that I had to put on hold to join this anthology. I am hoping to finish it soon. It is about a shapeshifter who is trying to avenge his parents and the little human who turns his life upside down.

Wow! That’s going to be a long story. I know you’ve been working on it for quite awhile. I’m looking forward to the finished project! Niki, thank you so much for “dropping by” today for our virtual visit. Y’all don’t forget to check out the anthology by clicking on the Amazon or B&N links above. If you want to know more about Niki and her writing and other creative endeavors, you can connect with her on her WEBSITE/BLOG, on FACEBOOK, PINTEREST, and on GOODREADS!

If you have any questions about Niki, her writing, or MICAH’S MESS, leave a comment and I’m pretty sure Niki will be happy to reply!