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Author Interview: Nadine Brandes

Nadine Brandes

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Author Interview: Nadine Brandes

Nadine Brandes writes stories about authentic faith, bold living, and worlds soaked in imagination

Interview Date: 1/24/19

Nadine Brandes once spent four days as a sea cook in the name of book research. She is the author of the award-winning Out of Time Series and Fawkes (July 2018). Her inner fangirl perks up at the mention of soul-talk, Quidditch, bookstagram, and Oreos. When she’s not busy writing novels about bold living, she’s adventuring through Middle Earth or taste-testing a new chai. She and her Auror husband plan to live in a Tiny House on wheels.

You just had a baby, so your daily writing life is being restructured… what are your plans for finding writing time as you move forward?

My plans are to be flexible! (For example, I’m currently writing this one-handed while holding baby in the other.) That, and to really guard the free time in the midst of mommyhood. In the past, I’ve had a habit of overcommitting and I’m practicing saying no. So now I’m prioritizing writing and guarding my free time like a dragon with her hoard of gold. 😛

What are your writing rituals (Do you have a certain snack? Listen to anything? Do some sort of spiritual dance, etc?)

I start with tea. ALWAYS. All good things start with a cup of tea. 😉 I also like to try and journal or pray before starting because faith is a huge part of my creative process. Often times I’ll compile a playlist for each book and I’ll pop in headphones, but sometimes I like to write with no background noise. Those are my main go-tos for the most part!

Do you prefer plotting or winging it?

I plot until I get tired of plotting and then usually wing it, lol. I have found that each book is very different and I plot more for some than others. Overall, I’ve never been a very intense plotter.

Romanov is available May 7 but this isn’t your first book to come out. Are you just as nervous or excited for the launch of this book as you were for the others?

I’m a little less nervous and more excited! YAY! It’s nice to be able to say that. I think it’s because Romanov has been a story of my heart for a long time and it came out a bit easier than some of my other books. Even if people don’t like it, I’m still immensely proud of it!

What things do you do differently now to prepare for launch day than you’ve done at the start?

I relax. Or at least I tell myself to (and hope that I’m obedient.) In the past I have tried to do ALL THE THINGS and release days wore me into the ground—so much so that I can hardly remember them! (I’ve had four book launches so far.) With the release of Fawkes I intentionally took a breath (as much as I could) and trusted that the book would find its readers even if I didn’t over-commit myself. It worked! And I’m determined to do the same thing with Romanov.

Are you working on anything else?

Yes, but…*zips lips*

At any given time, how many actual story ideas do you have?

I’m unusual in this. My answer is 0-2. Every time I finish a book I think, “What if that was my last idea?” but then the next book hits me. I sometimes wish I was that author who had endless ideas, but then I also think that my brain is simply allowing me to focus fully on the story at hand.

It’s a tough industry to crack into, so what advice do you have for becoming a published writer?

I’d say study your market. By knowing your market, your demographic, the social medias around your readers…that will help you know exactly how to interact with them, relate to them, and write for them. This will take you far when pursuing publication.

Big thanks to Nadine for being our very first author interview!

You can pre-order her new book here, and follow her on Instagram here!


Reader, Author, Bookstagrammer, and Mom; Alexis runs Nerdy Post, a fandom artwork box as well as serves as chief editor and writer on Drop and Give me Nerdy.

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