5. I subscribe to a theory of radical honesty, meaning that I do everything in my power to not tell a lie. I do however, refuse to tell anyone my correct age, and I never will.
Nicole DelaCroix – 2 June 2016
The Back Flap
Discovering secrets is titillating.
Everyone wants to peek under the covers, be a fly on the bedroom wall, or read someone’s diary. The juicier the secret, the more people want to know it, and sex is the most taboo of all subjects.
It’s human nature to be curious about what everyone else is doing. What do people like about sex? What are their fantasies? How far are they willing to go to please the one they love? These questions and more are explored, where everyday people offer up their most intimate secrets about sex.
One part social experiment – one part personal journey mixed with a little shock value, a whole lot of confession, laugh-out-loud comedy, deceptively thought-provoking questions and answers, all in the name of self-awareness. A foray into the inappropriate Sexual Confessional is a brash, unfiltered look at sex in the new millennium as seen by social media. A cautionary tale that warns “be careful what you ask the internet for, you may just get it…”
About the book
What is the book about?
In a nutshell… Sex: I created a survey where I asked people from various social media (Twitter, Facebook, Reddit) sources their thought about sex.
When did you start writing the book?
June 2014
How long did it take you to write it?
Roughly 90 days for a first full draft.
Where did you get the idea from?
I was at a low point in my career. I had just self-published my first novel – a YA Fiction – and had my dreams and hopes dashed when it didn’t sell the way I had hoped. Initially, I was feeling sorry for myself, so I decided to do an informal survey to see what people thought about the big questions in life (ie what are we here for? What’s it all about?) When I saw how eager people were to share, I changed the survey to be more fun, more intimate. After nearly 200+ answers to my questions, I thought I HAD to put it together in a book.
Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?
I found it difficult to see women saying they wanted to experience something I found odious – but it forced me to ask why. This opened my mind to alternative reasoning, and I think it’s taught me not to jump to conclusions about things.
What came easily?
Being honest and open with my personal answers and story – I found it freeing to be fearless.
Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?
Since my work is nonfiction it includes real people, but I found it interesting that even with answers from around the world, the answers showed me that regardless of age, sex, religion, environment, etc., we’re all basically the same – we all want the same things.
We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?
J.R.R. Tolkien, J.K. Rowling, Stephen King, C.S. Lewis, Ian McEwan, Edward St. Aubyn, Emily Bronte, Aldous Huxley – really anyone that has an interesting voice. I love authors that will reach deep into their own darkness and lay it bare for the world to see, I find that style of writing refreshing. I think too many authors play it safe and don’t open themselves up to controversy or put themselves on the line and the writing lacks passion – at least in my opinion.
Do you have a target reader?
Absolutely – my target reader is someone between 25-30 years of age, with some college education who feels they are on the outside looking in or misunderstood.
About Writing
Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?
I think every writer has unusual habits; it’s the nature of being a creative person. I tend to formulate chapters and how I want my books to look (and feel) in my head long before I start writing. Essentially, I’ll know every thought, idea and chapter, and even what I want to convey before even putting pen to paper. Once I start writing, the chapters flow organically and it’s usually a quick process at that point. I tend to get hung up on the idea part.
Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?
With nonfiction, yes – I find creating a detail outline of each chapter and headings is integral not only to writing the piece, but to creating a proposal as well. With fiction, I let the story formulate in my head and while I write it down, it’s not what you would call a traditional outline.
Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?
I try to edit once I’m complete. But turning off that internal editor is hard, and I know that’s how writers can get stuck – editing and re-editing until they aren’t writing anymore.
Did you hire a professional editor?
I’ve work with several editors and I believe if you’re going to present your work to the world, the least you can do is make sure it’s professionally edited. I think writers are more critical readers and reviewers when there are spelling and grammar mistakes.
Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?
Yes: my favorite is the David Garrett station on Pandora – or just David Garrett. If I listen to music with lyrics I tend to spend more time focusing on the lyrics, so I stick to instrumentals.
About Publishing
Did you submit your work to Agents?
Yes, several, in fact. I got several replies, but ultimately I couldn’t find anyone willing to take me on as a client because I didn’t have enough of a following to be profitable.
What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?
It was the agent search process for me and definitely gradual. I spent nearly a year trying to find an agent willing to work with me. While I had great interest in my book, there was so much rejection I felt like I was participating in a popularity contest. And I was starting to feel like the last kid in class to be picked, when all I wanted was to have my work out in the world.
Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?
I designed it myself. I wanted it to look like you were looking through the confessional window, and wanted it to be elegant, but simple.
Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?
I don’t think I had anything written down, but I had a plan. I reached out to several bloggers before releasing and set up blog tours, marketing avenues and started reaching out to podcasts and radio shows.
Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?
I’m very opinionated, so yes! Write what you’re passionate about, and don’t worry about finding audience, etc., the voice will bring the audience, and you’ll be much happier with your work if you are passionate about it. There is far too much negativity in this world, don’t allow your self-worth to be based on negativity. Lastly, DO NOT give up – everyone’s voice deserves to be heard, and you will find an audience.
About You
Where did you grow up?
The great state of Texas
Where do you live now?
The even greater state of Georgia
What would you like readers to know about you?
Well I’d love it if people were interested in knowing things about me, so I put together 10 fun facts about myself.
- My childhood dream is to live in London, England. I love everything British and even drink imported English tea like a closet Brit. (Shhh, don’t tell anyone)
- I’m fluent in many languages – Sarcasm, Profanity and Double Entendres, just to name a few. (Bet you thought I was serious)
- I’m incredibly clumsy and have tripped over my own two feet more times than I can count. Mostly it happens when I’m wearing flat shoes and on even pavement. I’ve never taken a fall wearing high heels.
- Speaking of shoes, I spend more money on shoes (preferably platform boots please) than I do on fixing my car, groceries or anything else. I have multiple pairs that are far too high for me to wear that I still have in boxes. I refuse to get rid of them, eventually I will wear them.
- I subscribe to a theory of radical honesty, meaning that I do everything in my power to not tell a lie. I do however, refuse to tell anyone my correct age, and I never will.
- I believe in ghosts, so much so that I’m convinced that there was a ghost of a nurse in my childhood bedroom. I’m still scared to sleep alone in that room.
- I refuse to eat any food that has feet or face still attached to it. So peel and eat shrimp, crab legs, lobster, fish, etc., I won’t even eat if it’s on the table. It just freaks me out.
- I’m scared of most all bugs, snakes and general creepy crawly things, except spiders. Spiders are cool and don’t scare me at all.
- I have the biggest sweet tooth ever! I keep jars of candy and sweets all over my home, work and car. I always have something, even if it’s only gum.
- I hate having my picture taken, and my mother insists that there is more footage of Bigfoot than there is of me. (She’s probably right too)
What are you working on now?
I’ve just finished a piece on the woman’s movement that I’m currently in editing with after that I’d like to focus on religion. I’ve become fascinated by spirituality and really want to jump in and think I can offer a fresh perspective in the discussion.
End of Interview:
For more from Nicole, visit her website, like her page on Facebook, or follow her on Twitter.
Get your copy of Sexual Confessional from Amazon US or Amazon UK.
2 responses to “Indieview with Nicole DelaCroix, author of Sexual Confessional”