Nell Dixon is a prizewinning romance novelist with a string of popular books including these:
- Renovation, Renovation, Renovation – Myrmidon Books
- New Bay Wedding – Astraea Press
- Passionate Harvest – E-Scape Press
- Loves Me, Loves Me Not – MIRA Publishing
- Animal Instincts – Little Black Dress – Love Story of the Year 2010
MTAR: Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
Nell: I have three teenage daughters and I work as a job share for a disability charity managing therapeutic horticulture projects. In my spare time I love reading and traveling and have a great nerdy passion for ancient buildings especially cathedrals and churches.
MTAR: How did you choose the genre you write in?
Nell: I think the genre chose me. I write warmhearted contemporary romance with a dash of humor and a dollop of suspense.
MTAR: Is there any particular author or book that influenced you in any way either growing up or as an adult?
Nell: Loads of authors influenced me. Betty Neels, Agatha Christie, Andre Norton, Jean Plaidy, and Elinor Brent-Dyer were the people I read most as a teenager.
MTAR: What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author?
Nell: Probably it’s been when I’ve taken off on one of my flights of fancy and one of my editors has had to rein me in a little.
MTAR: What has been the best compliment?
Nell: I’ve had some fab compliments. I’ve been favorably compared to Betty Neels and also to Janet Evanovich – although not for the same book I hasten to add!
MTAR: Do you have any advice to give to aspiring writers?
Nell: Read, read widely, see what makes a good book good and then sit down and write and keep writing.
MTAR: What would your fans be surprised to know about you?
Nell: Probably that I have severe dyscalculia. I see numbers back to front and scrambled up and can’t remember or retain them. Don’t rely on me to text you, remember a phone number, or operate a calculator!
MTAR: Dogs or Cats?
Nell: Dogs! Cats are okay but dogs are what I’m more familiar with.
MTAR: Do you have a mentor?
Nell: Quite a few authors helped and supported me and continue to do so. Kate Walker gave me loads of help. Also Liz Fielding and Jessica Hart taught me a great deal.
MTAR: Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?
Nell: I’ve always been a writer. When I was small I wrote short stories. I joined my first writers group when I was 12 and finished my first novel when I was 17.
MTAR: Is there anything that you would like to say to your readers and fans?
Nell: A huge mega thank you! I have some fabulous readers who love to email me and request extra stories for my New Bay Cornish series. Also I love to hear from them on Twitter and on my Facebook page.