We recently interviewed an up and coming writer Natasha who goes by Pen name N J King. She will be releasing her debut novel ‘Daughters of the Jade Isle’ on 11th February.
Pro Media Mag : First of all tell us about the start of your professional career?
N J King :
I have been writing stories since a very young age but in my very early twenties I decided to make this more than a hobby. As any writer will tell you, you have to expect set backs in this game, and I did have a few, but writing is my passion and I kept at it. I was bolstered by every positive response my writing received and have been able to fulfill my aspiration with the release of my novel, Daughters of the Jade Isle, this February.
Pro Media Mag : How and when you first get into writing?
N J King : Writing has been a hobby of mine since I was a child. I have had a love of books and stories for as long as I can remember, some of my earliest memories are of being read to and imagining myself off on those same adventures. As ideas of these characters and adventures started to build up in my head, reading naturally evolved into writing. Initially it was something I kept very much to myself as it was for my own enjoyment and the adventure in each book was like my own personal journey, but as I started sharing my stories with friends and families I was encouraged to share them with a wider audience.
Pro Media Mag : What kind of books you normally write?
N J King : In my writing I look at peoples relationships, either romantic, familial or with themselves and often with a twist of history or fantasy.
Pro Media Mag : Tell us about your upcoming debut book “Daughters of the Jade Isle”?
N J King : The book is a romance with a twist. Told from the journal of a young woman, Emma, who is fresh from bereavement and betrayal, Daughters of the Jade Isle is the story of how in looking into her family’s past she finds more than she bargained for. When she heads off to the island of Aethelmaine she is interested in learning about her grandma’s youth and how her grandparents met, however she soon discovers that her grandma had secrets, one which Emma will soon find she too has to keep. Following Emma’s journal and her grandma’s diary you find that their family’s past is coming back to haunt them. Each woman must see if they can work out what it all means and stop the past from repeating itself, without having to sacrifice everything they care about.
Pro Media Mag : What was the inspiration behind writing this book?
N J King : I was inspired by some characters from English history and the myths surrounding them. Richard III is remembered in as the evil king who murdered his nephews, however much is being done now to resurrect his reputation. There is an interesting myth about him and his niece, Elizabeth of York. Many dispute the
stories, but it was rumoured that he and Elizabeth were in love and he was planning to put his wife aside to marry her. Nothing came of it as when his
wife died he was forced to deny the rumours. At the same time, however, Elizabeth was engaged to Henry Tudor who was living in exile in France. He then came to England to fight Richard and take the throne. If the rumours were true Elizabeth was in an fascinating position; knowing whatever the outcome of the battle she would be queen, but one way she would be the wife of the man she loved and the other way she would essentially be marrying his murderer.
Pro Media Mag : What kind of response you are expecting from the release?
N J King : The book also deals with communication in relationships, or rather the lack of communication and the effects that can have. I would like this book to give people in similar situations a sense of hope. Also, while the characters in the book are completely original and fictious, it would certainly be a bonus if the inspiration behind the book gave people an introduction to the interesting characters there are in our history.
Pro Media Mag : What is your favorite part of being an author?
N J King : As a reader I love being taken off to new places, falling in love with characters and following them through their trials, so as an author I enjoy being able to give that same experience to my readers. I also love the fact that I can at any time dip into this other world, if I’m on a long train journey or waiting for an appointment, I can just pick up a pen and notepad and pass the time by drifting off into another realm.
Pro Media Mag : What do you do in your off days or free time?
N J King : I like to keep myself fit, and I’m lucky that I live in quite a rural area so enjoy lots of long walks by the river. I also enjoy reading books as much as I like writing them.
For further information and updates on the author you can visit www.njking-author.co.uk
