Verna Loves Books: ~Author Spotlight~ Marc Nobbs

Monday, August 11, 2014

~Author Spotlight~ Marc Nobbs

Marc started writing as hobby just after leaving university in 1998, and in 2005 his first short story was published by the illustrated erotic story website Ruthie’s Club. The illustration for “Scratched” by Gloklund was pretty cool (you can find it, and the other Ruthie’s Club Illustrations of his stories on his website). In all Marc had 13 stories published and illustrated by Ruthie’s Club.

Marc’s first novel, Charlotte’s Secret, was published by Phaze in 2008. Eternally & Evermore, his fourth Phaze novel, was published in 2010. In 2011, Marc launched Parkland Publishing and released the first book in the Tutelam Venit series in 2011.

Originally from Wolverhampton in The Black County, Marc now lives in the Northamptonshire countryside just a stone’s throw from where Princess Diana is buried and the Gunpowder Plot was plotted. It’s far cry from his inner-city roots, but that’s what an education does for you. He studied at the University of Aberystwyth and the University of Swansea.

When he’s not writing, blogging, counting other people’s money or being a loving husband and father, Marc enjoys the peace and quiet of his garden, where he grows all manner of quite magnificent fruit and vegetables.

1. What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author? What has been the best compliment?

It think probably the harshest critic given to me in my earliest days was to do my (then) “excessive verbosity”. I’d written “She licked the nipples of my chest” – and reviewer said, “as opposed to the nipples on your foot? Or the ones on your head?” It made me realise just how redundant some of what I’d written really was.

The best compliment? Easy. “Damn, I wish I’d written that.” ;)

2. Is anything in your book based on real life experiences or purely all imagination?

I’d say it’s about 25% real life experience and the rest is “just my imagination.” Now you’re wondering which 25% aren’t you?

3. Can you tell us about your upcoming releases? If you have any.

My next release will most likely be the final book in the Tutelam Venit trilogy. But I’ve only just started work on it and the second book took me about two years to write. I’m hoping book three won’t take quite as long.

4. What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

I’m married – therefore the answer to that question is, “Whatever my wife tells me to do.” ;)

5. You have multiple personalities, describe some of them

Loving Husband and Father, that’s one of my personalities. The one that is wrapped around his two year old daughter’s little finger.

Then there’s my professional persona – serious, organised, focused.

Then there’s Marc Nobbs, Gentleman Author of Erotic Romance (my street team came up with that). He’s fun and flirty, a purveyor of #suitporn, and writes some seriously hot stuff.

6. What made you decide to write your first book?

Author’s don’t decide to write a book. They are compelled to. The question implies there was some sort of decision made. There wasn’t. The book already existed – all I did was type out the words that were floating around in my head.

7. Do you have any strange writing habits?

Coke. I write better with a glass of coke to hand. Don’t ask me why, I don’t know. Maybe it’s the sugar, maybe it the caffeine. Maybe it’s the secret ingredient. But it’s something.

8. If you could cast your characters in a Hollywood adaptation of your book, who would play what characters?

I’ve actually written three blog post on that very subject over the years. ;) Suffice to say I’ve ‘cast’ the full range of best young British actors and actresses in one role or another – everyone from Emma Watson and Daniel Radcliffe to David Tennant and Jenna Coleman. And Kate Winslet of course. Got to have Kate in there somewhere.

9. Who are the authors that inspire you?

I grew up reading Terry Pratchett – he’s the reason I write now. And any author who tells you he isn’t inspired by what JK Rowling achieved, in every possible sense of the word, is either lying or a fool.

10. Is there anything you would like to say to your readers?

If you don’t think you’ll like what I write because, “How can a man write good romance?”, I’d make a plea to just give it a try. I’m a pretty typically stoic Brit. British Men don’t cry. It’s not done. But I’ll happily and proudly admit that I’ve written some scenes that have made even this stiff-upper-lipped, emotionless Brit well up. And if it does that to me……. ;)