Author Interview: Lavender Nicole

Hello, everyone! Welcome back to Friday Night Writes! As always, our goal is to shine a spotlight on members of the book community and introduce readers to awesome authors, narrators, event hosts, influencers, and more.

This week, we'd like to introduce our featured guest, author Lavender Nicole.

Lavender Nicole

Hey, Lavender. Tell us a little bit about yourself. Who are you?

Hi! I'm Lavender Nicole. I am a plus-size widow, dog mom, avid reader, and RBT.

What are a few of your favorite things? Your least favorite?

I love tattoos, color, dogs, books, and animals.

Did you always want to be an author?

No, I did not. I wanted to be a marine biologist.

When did you know you wanted to be an author?

After my husband passed away, I wanted to write about my grief.

I'm so sorry for your loss. How long have you been writing?

About two years.

Which genres do you write in?

Romance, poly, and queer.

Are you independently published or traditionally published? Why did you choose this route?

Indie, I have more control.

What do you enjoy most and least about being an author?

I enjoy being about to write and tell stories. [I least enjoy the] imposter syndrome and the feelings of failure. It feels like I might never succeed.

We all feel that way from time to time. Do you have any writing routines (things you do that help you write)?

I write better in public, usually listening to videos or music. I sprint with Kenzie Young if I am home.

How do you deal with writer’s block?

Talking to friends.

How many books do you currently have published? Tell us about them.

I have three! Tattooed On Their Hearts is a contemporary FFM romance. It follows River, who is a plus-size widow. She falls into bed with him. Her life gets much more complicated.

All Caged Up is a demon cuckold novella. Apple is a plus-size stripper who suddenly learns demons are real, and so are fated mates.

Summer Time is an MFNB demon novella. Summer is a plus-size sex worker. Her ex kidnaps her and takes her to hell. Her fated mates come to her rescue, mates she didn’t know she had.

Those sound really interesting. Where do you get the inspiration for your books? Do you insert pieces of yourself and people you know into your books?

I get inspiration from random ideas and friends. And always. I feel like inserting pieces of me into my books makes readers feel like they can relate.

Do you have a favorite and least favorite of your characters? Why?

I hate Rivers' father in law in Tattooed On Their Hearts. As for my favorite, I really can’t pick. They have different characteristics I love.

What is your most popular book?

I think All Caged Up. It’s the most unhinged.

Which of your books do you wish received more love than it does?

Tattooed On Their Hearts. It was so healing for me. In addition, I think it’s more relatable.

How many WIPs do you have going right now? Can you tell us anything about them?

I am currently working on a M/F stalker romance. I have plans for several books after.

Do you prefer standalone books or book series?

Depends on my mood!

Besides writing, do you have any hobbies? Do you include these things in your stories?

I love to read, shop, and watch football. And yes! I like to include things I love in my books.

Are there any other authors who have inspired you?

Several! Kenzie Young, Alexia Onyx, Willow McQuerry, Alethea Faust, and Jaylee Fields.

How do you handle the author/life balance?

I try to take breaks, but it’s hard. I have chronic pain and illnesses, so some days it takes me longer to write. I try to come up with a schedule, but I suck at following them.

What do you do for your mental health and to recharge your creativity?

It depends on my mood, but shopping is a good go to.

Do you have any advice for unpublished writers or people who hope to become authors?

Ask questions. I wish I had asked for more advice before I started. Other authors want to help, and asking would have made marketing easier.

Do you have anything you’re truly passionate about outside of writing?

I am passionate about helping others and helping animals.

Thanks for sharing! Let's do a few questions just for fun! Tell us, what was your most recent five-star read?

Come Out, Come Out by Alexia Onyx

What is your favorite dinosaur?

I love a T-rex.

What is the best gift you've ever been given?

When I turned twenty-one, I got a dog. His name was Whiskey. He was my best gift.

How many pairs of shoes do you own?

Too many!

What is the most daring thing you've ever done?

Write a book, if I’m honest.

Are you a clean or a messy person?

A mix. I have a lot of clutter and suck at cleaning.

Do you collect anything besides books?

Make-up.

Do you believe in aliens or ghosts?

Aliens, yes. Ghosts, no, but I want to believe.

What's your favorite ice cream flavor?

Cookie dough.

If you could be a shifter what would your alternate form be?

A killer whale. They’ve always been my favorite. I plan on writing a shifter romance with sea animals.

Which inanimate object would be the most annoying if it played loud upbeat music while being used?

An adult toy!

What are you interested in that most people aren’t?

I think marine life.

As a child, what did you think would be awesome about being an adult but isn’t as awesome as you thought it would be? Why?

Everything. I have so many bills and much less free income

What food have you never eaten but would really like to try?

I don’t know. Maybe steak tartar?

What would you use to survive the zombie apocalypse? Why?

I don’t think I’d survive, if I’m honest

Where can we find you online?

You can visit my LinkTree for everything you need!

Do you have any planned events?

Books in Savannah. Other than that, none. I hope to go to Smut Lovers and Book Harvest, but I'm not sure yet.

Awesome. Well, thank you so much for joining us, Lavender. It's been a pleasure chatting with you!

To all of our readers, thanks for spending some time with our guest author this week! We hope you've enjoyed this interview! In the meantime, be sure to follow Lavender on her social media platforms so you can keep up to date with her journey. Building a better, stronger community is what Friday Night Writes is all about!

Be sure to join us next week when we talk to author Jenn Williams!

See you soon!

The Friday Night Writes Crew

Evie Black & Samantha Moran

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