Author Spotlight: Nora Weirich

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.

Nora Weirich

This week, we'd like to introduce our featured guest, author Nora Weirich!

Do you have an alternate pen name?

Cadmi O’Cleirigh

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

I’ve been a teacher's aide at my local elementary school since 2007 and before that I worked for hospice. Not sure what's harder lol. I’m married and have 4 fur babies. I spend my summers on the family farm hanging with my family and writing. I’m a film geek and quiet nerd. I get just as much out of the film as I do from the scores. I love to read and I’ve enjoyed broadening my interests in that area.

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

Some of my favorite things are, sitting at the lake on our family farm, eating steak and potatoes, watching a truly awesome movie for the first time, discovering my new favorite book, laughing with friends and family.

Some of my least, fake sincerity, asparagus, slap-stick, cringe comedies, the color pink, and needing to get up early.

Did you always want to be an author?

Yes and no. I’ve always wanted to create stories, but as a kid with Dyslexia reading and writing was very difficult for me. My spelling to this day to be honest is still a major struggle. But that’s what spell check is for, mostly. I used to write story/scripts with a friend of mine when we were in school. They weren’t very good, but we had fun with it. It wasn’t until I was an adult and married that I wrote my first book. Then 20 years later it was published - which is a whole other story in itself. Needless to say I am in the process of rewriting it.

If not, what did you want to be when you were a child?

As a kid I had many different ideas as to what I wanted to be when I grew up, none lasted more than a week. Lawyer-I love to argue and I’m always right. Doctor- until I found out the amount of school I’d need that one lasted a few days. I think at one point I wanted to be a farm hand - I don’t know. Never did I figure I would be in education helping kids with the same disability I struggle with to this day. I’m happy where I landed though. I don't have children of my own, but to be able to help others kids in school

When did you know you wanted to be an author?

I don't know if it was a conscious choice to become an author, more like I had two “finished” works and after years of them being a drawer, I decided to pull the trigger and see about getting published. One I wish had done more research on and made better decisions before doing so. But I’ve learned and have better knowledge now. Even now I have a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that I have three books published, two with my name and one under a pen name.

Besides writing, do you have any hobbies? Do any of your characters share the same interests as you?

I like to read, and paint on occasion as well as head to the range from time to time. I think I’ve weaved a little of myself in all my characters. I’m fairly self reliant and don't really like to ask for help.(that's a failing of mine)I can be sassy confidant when needed. Now there are aspects of my characters I wish I had and have loved to write into my work.

Do you have anything that you’re truly passionate about outside of writing? (Could be a cause, a project, etc.)

That's a tough one to narrow down. I get passionate about many things, but I think it might be the treatment of special Ed kids in the schools and in society at large. Having been in the special ed program as a kid and working within it currently I have a unique view on how things should be run and dealt with and how they are actually run and dealt with.

How long have you been writing?

I’ve been writing for over twenty years, now professionally? My first book was published in May 2023.

Which genres do you write in?

Under Nora Weirich I write Contemporary Romance and most recently I’ve added a Pen name Cadmi O’Cleirigh to write Romantasy.

Are you independently published or traditionally published? Why did you choose this route? What are the benefits/drawbacks?

I’m now thankfully fully independent. It may be more pressure on me, but in the long run I’m pleased to know that the work that has gone out is under my control and no one else's. When I was first published I went with what I learned later was called a vanity press. The book cost me an exorbitant amount of money to put out, the publisher priced the book so high that it was unattainable for the consumer. And to be honest I wouldn’t pay that price for my favorite trad authors. Also I have since learned that the book that I paid to have edited and produced was not edited, or at least edited extremely poorly. So in the long run I guess it was a good thing that it hasn’t done well. Because when I release the book after it is properly edited and formatted correctly it will be a fresh book. What I learned was the more research you do the better prepared you are. Self publishing may cost more in the beginning getting your tools lined up, and marketing is an ever daunting task that eludes me. But I know that I have control of my work and I can be proud of what I have put out.

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

I think what I enjoy the most is the creation, which in my mind is different from the writing. I like having an idea materialize in my mind and move like a film waiting to be viewed. I can spend days or even weeks with the idea before my fingertips ever touch the keys. When it is nothing more than an idea and it can go anywhere I want. Then when I finally sit at the keyboard that’s when some of the stress kicks in, because now I have to string all these film clips in my mind into a cohesive story. Yet even that is enjoyable, otherwise why do it right? What I find the most stressful is the editing, alpha/beta part. The editing is long and arduous, and while you're going through hours, weeks, months or years worth of writing you start to doubt. The questions begging to run through your head, what are you doing? Who told you you could write? Why did you write her that way? Does this character really need to be here? Then when you finish you send it to betas and the doubts start all over again, only now your work is going to be ridiculed by others. Much the same will go through my mind then as well. So the editing and beta is the worst for me and least favorite.

Are you a plotter, a plantser, or a pantser?

Not gonna lie I had to look up what the difference was between these three, I’d never heard of a planster, but I think that's what I am. I definitely don't plan everything down to the last chapter, but I do have a general plan as to where the story will end up and some key points along the way. But how I get to those points and the end? That is down by the seat of my pants. I tried once to do the whole plotter planning bit and after I planned and outlined, within two chapters the outline no longer matched the story. So yeah that’s not for me.

Do you have any writing routines (things you do that help you write)?

I know there are those who need silence or a particular playlist to work with. They need to have the music match the mood of the scene. I’m not one of those. I do need to have music, but I just shuffle my stations from my Pandora and go to town. For the most part I end up tuning out the music. I do most of the actual writing in the summer when I’m off from school and leave the rest for the school year. Then I can create a “work” routine that works for me. I need to have some sort of drink, usually coffee or cold water. As far as snacks go, my Tik Tok group would say skittles is a must for me, and they aren't wrong, but in general some sort of picking bits.

How do you deal with writer’s block?

Cry, scream and throw away my laptop? I wish. I have done numerous things, no one thing works. I have walked away and picked up a book to read, or I’ll work on something else. Edit or start a new project. Anything to take my mind off the block. Sooner or later I return and the block is gone or I just work through it until I write myself out of the corner I more than likely put myself in.

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

If that had been asked of me last year I would’ve said maybe two. Now I don't have nearly as many as others I know, but I think right now I have under twenty WIPS. What surprised me was the amount of paranormal/romantasy WIPS there were. I do have a few contemporary romances that I want to work on including the 3rd installment of the Mackay series. I have WIP that will work on after the Golden realm Chronicles is complete that deals with a centuries old cursed immortal, a sorcerer, a wizard and love that spans times and realms

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

Under Nora Weirich/ Contemporary Romance

Mackay’s Cliff House Book One(Formally Cliff House) follows Madison Danaher as she travels to Scotland to expand her company's services to the Highlands. While there she rents a house from Ian Mackay an up and coming Scottish actor Together they navigate demanding careers, hounding press and a sadistic ex husband.

Dunnegan’s Cottage Book Two follows Donevon Mackay as he takes an undercover job in North Eastern PA. When things go wrong Donavon finds himself severely injured and under the care of local doctor Megan Dunnegan. Sparks fly while the healing of new and old wounds begin. Donevon now finds he has so much more to protect and he will, no matter what.

Under Cadmi O’Cleirigh/ Romantasy

Quelocand: Land of the Queens Follows Anene Wilkinson, a rare and extremely powerful witch from Ireland who is about to discover that she has a much bigger role to plan than she thought. Tadhgan Ultan, a fairy warrior has been sent across realms to protect the heir to the throne, but soon realizes what she needs isn't protection, what she needs is battle training. But will Anene be ready in time? Or will the darkness drown all realms?

Where do you get the inspiration for your books? Do you insert pieces of yourself and people you know into your books?

I’m not overly sure where the inspirations for the first book(Cliff House) came from. I’d had a recurring dream of a man and woman meeting on the beach in the middle of winter. It wouldn't quit until I wrote out the scene, then before I knew it I was writing a book. I did base Ian off of someone specific, and used the book as an avenue for other things, but it kinda just flowed out.

For Dunnegans, it was a natural choice as the next in the Series. But for the setting book two, I used my own family farm and heritage as the backdrop and inspiration. I feel that of the two that one has the most of me in it. It was fun to write and difficult at the same time. There were times when I got caught up in the descriptions when it wasn’t really needed.

Quelocand is a wildly different beast. This is my first foray into writing fantasy. I was part of an anthology and needed to write a fantasy short story. I was given a creature and I knew I wanted to use Ireland as the setting. From there I went back to the first trip I made to Ireland and the circle(Beltany Circle) that would later be dubbed mine. I touched more on this in the preface I added to the book, but I used my love of Ireland, the feeling and experiences while there and once again family as inspiration for Quelocand.

Are there any other authors who have inspired you?

For the contemporary side I think my biggest inspiration has to be Nora Roberts. I’ve been reading her books for most of my life. Before that there were others, but she has been the one that stuck. Like me she has intertwined certain things throughout her stories. I have several authors that I have discovered in the last few years, most if not all are indie authors. I think I can say that they all have inspired me in some way or another. Alicia S. Rivers who really pushed me to venture into Fantasy. Jenn A. Morales, Aspen Winters, Miccia Micheals, just to name a few.

Do you prefer standalone books or book series?

You know it really depends on the mood I’m in. I like a good cut and dry book. But I have to admit I love a good series. To really be able to immerse myself with the characters and world that inhabit. I tend to read the first book then wait until the books are completed to read the rest. I buy them as they come out, don't get me wrong, but if it's a massive series, I’ll wait. Unless I didn't know ahead of time. ACOTAR!

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

I think that changes as I write, but currently it would be Anene as my favorite and Flann as my least fav. Both from Quelocand: Land of the Queens. Anene is a badass! Smart, sassy, knows how to stand for herself and others, loyal but she’s nobody’s fool. Flann for the obvious is the, but now I think about it Flann and Adam Gilmore(Cliff House/Macky’s Cliff House) might be neck and neck. Both deserve to be swallowed by the halls of hell and held for all eternity.

What is your most popular book?

I have no idea. LOL I know what I’d LIKE my most popular to be. I enjoy the contemporary side of my writing, it's familiar and easily relatable. But the fantasy side? It's so new and I want it to do well.

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

I’d like all of them to have love, but I think when I rerelease Cliff House Under the new name Mackay’s Cliff House I hope they receive the love I think it should once fixed and done properly.

How do you handle the author/life balance? (i.e. writing/editing/graphic design/home life/etc.)

Poorly, LOL. No really I think I do alright with it. The bulk of my writing is done in the summer when I don't have the constraints of a job on my time and mind. I save the editing for when I go back to school. It seems odd, but when I am working throughout the school year my mind is better attuned to the editing torment, I mean process. Might have something to do with editing all the kids' work for their writing assignments. As far as graphic design, I have no Idea what I’m doing there. I like to putter around on Canva making covers for my books. I’m very proud of the ones I’ve created for fantasy books and I’m learning to use the same program for advertising. Which I’m horrid at. But I don't know any indie authors yet that say they're good at the marketing part of the job. That torment is right up there with editing in my book. As far as balancing home and whatnot, my husband and I both have schedules we keep and we’re pretty rigid when it comes to it. During the week is work, authoring, and for him running and prepping for his trivia. During the weekend we have the morning and early afternoons for us and then back to schedule after dinner. I know it sounds boring, but we have fun and that's what matters most.

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

Step away from whatever it is, and do something else. Whether that's reading, binging movies or shows, or just spending a few days away from people. I’m pretty antisocial, so that part is the easiest for me.

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

When you like to sit and create stories, long or short, fiction, non-fiction, poem ect, guess what? You're an author! Congrats! There are those who feel that unless they publish through traditional means that diminishes their right to call themselves an author, well bollocks to that. The minute your pen touches paper or the finger thrum the keys you have the right to call yourself an author.

There are those who will spout that there are rules you need to follow when writing, allow me to say “I don’t think so Tim.” There are no rules you need to follow but your own. There is no such thing as the correct way to write, develop, or publish your work. What works for me might not work for you. And that's ok. I know those who plot and plan down to the tiniest detail, others who just sit and write, and those who are a mix of the two. And you know what, they are all correct, because their methods work for them. Also something I have recently discovered, you may use your method, then write a whole new genre and find you change your method of writing. Once again perfectly fine. Writing is a fluid entity that shouldn’t be stifled by the normal rules and constructs of the rest of the world. Don't let anyone take your flow and try to put it in a narrow tunnel, writing is like water, no matter what, it will find a way to break the walls that were placed around it.

Now when it comes to publishing I can say this with certainty, as someone who fell pray to them, stay away from vanity presses. At all costs. If you're unsure if you're dealing with one, they will want you to pay. They will take your editing rights away, price your book too high, and take 80% of your profits and you're locked for at least 2 years. Otherwise publish however you want. If you choose the indie route, you’ll retain all your rights, as for profits that depends on how you choose to distribute. For myself I have now gone full indie and publish through KDP for my prints and ebooks. I also use Ingram Sparks so I can have the paperbacks available for brick and mortar. Which brings me to my next piece of advice. Buy your own ISBN numbers. They're expensive, but if you want to have bookstores carry your work, having your own numbers is key. One more bit of advice. Copyright your work! This protects your and your work. It’s easy to do, and gives peace of mind for very little money.

What was your most recent five-star read?

Aspen Winters Knot my Wonderland

What’s your favorite Dinosaur?

Brontosaurus

What is the best gift you have been given?

When I was a kid I had an old wooden desk in my room for homework and what not. Back then we didn't have cell phones, so on my desk sat an old blue rotary phone, and in lue of a phonebook, I wrote all the important numbers on the light wood top. Including some doodles, heart of the flame of the week and so on. I was in middle/highschool, give me a break. Any hoozle, years later my dad dismantled it so the drawer side could be used as a bedside piece. Little did I know that the top where I had written friends' phone numbers, birthdays, boyfriends whose names were crossed out, had been saved. For Christmas that year I unwrapped a large gift that turned out to be the now framed out desktop. No idea why, but when I saw it I laughed and then cried! LOL it now hangs on the wall in my TV room and every time I see it, I smile.

How many pairs of shoes do you own?

Oh good lord! I have no idea! I have a love a shoes.

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

I don't know about daring, but the proudest thing I’ve done was hope on a plane by myself to surprise my brother on his 50th birthday.

Are you a clean or messy person?

Both. When it comes to my office and living space I’m clean and have OCD tendencies. In the bedroom however, yeah, that's better left alone.

Do you collect anything besides books?

I have a love of sheep, pigs and the occasional Stitch. Oh and wine.

Do you believe in aliens? Ghosts?

Um, ghosts you bet your ass I do. Aliens? I don’t know, it seems pretty arrogant to believe that we are the only beings in the entire universe.

What’s your favorite ice cream flavor?

Depends on the mood. But I will go nutty for Ben and Jerrys Coffee Coffee Buzz Buzz

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

My first thought is some sort of bird, so I pick a dragon with Phoenix rebirth powers, thus being kind of immortal. But I can fly, defend myself and others and watch over my family for an infinite amount of lifetimes.

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

A pencil in a classroom. Dear god, the noise!

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

I like to go to the range, it's a great way to let off steam.

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?

Just being an adult period. As a kid you have this fantasy that when you grow up you’ll be free and can do whatever you want. Oh to have the bubble burst was so curl. But mostly I think I was most excited to have my own place. And yes it's wonderful, but the responsibility and upkeep sucks at time.

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

If I didn't have to pay for it, the $100.00 burger.

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

Maybe, I’m pretty resourceful.

Where can we find you online?

https://linktr.ee/noraweirichauthor521

Do you have any planned events?

I will be at Getting Witchy With It, Salem 10/2026

Thank you so much for joining us, Nora! 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 check out Nora Weirich's links 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 Jessica Netterstrom!

See you soon!

The Friday Night Writes Crew

Evie Black & Samantha Moran

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