What is your name, where were you born and where do you live now?
My full name is Nina Martinez, but I use N. M. Martinez as my author name. I was born in Fort Ord, California, the daughter of a military retiree. (He always calls me his retirement present; I happened to be born right when he retired.)
I still live in Monterey Bay.
Did you always want to be a writer? If not what did you want to be?
Since about fifth grade I've wanted to be a writer. Even before that, I think it was clear what I was meant to do. I used to be one of those kids who'd write on any paper left lying around. My dad had to make sure I had my own supply of paper, pens, and a binder to keep them in since I was about three or four.
What is the name of your latest book, and if you had to summarise it in less than 20 words what would you say?
My book is called Ruin. It's about people with powers trying to learn to live an average life. There are no superheros in this story! It's real people with real problems with a little twist.
What can we expect from you in the future? ie More books of the same genre? Books of a different genre?
I'm still debating this. The current releases I have planned are within the same genre. I generally write speculative fiction, tossing regular people into strange situations. But I do have a lot of strange and random story ideas, so I hope to try something new soon!
Do you have plans for a new book? Is this book part of a series?
Ruin is the first book in a planned "series." It won't be like normal series though. This one will be more about individual stories that will connect through similar characters and crossover moments. As more stories are released, a clearer picture of the world will be revealed.
Where do you get your book plot ideas from?
The book plots actually come from me just play writing until I understand a character really well. Once I understand a character, I can figure out what they've done in their life, how they would react, and what was the outcome. From telling a story based on one character, I get a lot of little glimpses into the lives and stories of other characters which is where the companion stories come from.
Do you have anybody read your books and give you reviews before you officially release them?
I did not with this first book. I just released it to let it get out there and meet me new readers. For future novels, I will probably start requesting advanced reviews.
Do you read all the reviews of your book/books?
Yes. I haven't had very many, yet. Still, I get a little nervous when I notice a new review. But I like to hear what people think and try to learn from any mistakes I make.
How do you come up with the Title and Cover Designs for your book/books?Who designed the Cover of your books?
I went with a professional. Sarah Ellerton. She also designed the type for the cover.
Which format of book do you prefer, ebook,hardback, or paperback?
I thought I was okay just having an ebook that looked awesome on my Kobo, but then I got the paperback version. Holding a real book that I'd poured my all into was so moving. For someone who is supposed to be about the words, I find I have trouble describing it exactly.
After I finished reading through the paperback version of the story one final time, that's when I knew that I had the story exactly right. This was the story I wanted to tell, exactly as it should be.
What is your favourite book and Why? Have you read it more than once?
Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass. I read it every few years. It's just one of those books I get a craving for and must reread.
The story is about a strange place and strange characters, but through it all, Alice is a normal girl who has to find her way. I love that about it. Plus, I love that there are so many different readings. I think every reader can put their own slant on the story. That's a good story to me.
Do you think ebooks will ever totally replace printed books?
No. I love ebooks very much, but there is still a power to physical books. Even with the younger generation, there are still plenty of people who enjoy actually turning pages rather than clicking a button.
Do you think children at schools these days are encouraged enough to read? and/or do Imaginative writing?
I actually studied to be a teacher before the economy took a downturn, so I got to work in a lot of elementary classes. Schools do a lot to encourage reading. They usually go for reading time and set a goal for the students for the year. Each classroom participates.
More importantly, it was what the teachers did to encourage reading. I walked into some lovely public school classrooms that had a special reading corner set aside for the children. These were areas that were quiet and comfortable, and the children looked forward to getting a chance to sit in the reading corner and relax with a book. Library days were a magical time for the students. They would proudly show off what books they were reading or had read. And in one school, teachers were partnering up so that older kids could read to the younger kids. The kids loved it.
Are there any New Authors you are interested in for us to watch out for? and Why should we watch out for them?
I'd be remiss if I didn't take this opportunity to give a shout-out!
Let me introduce my critique partner/unpaid-editor, Laura Rae Amos. She has a book that will be coming out next year. She's aiming for Spring and it's so close I can already see it! She's a wonderful writer. Her stories revolve around the ordinary lives of normal people, and she makes it into poetry. There is a beauty to life, a fragileness, and she manages to capture that. Her stuff is so easy to fall into. Keep an eye out for her!
What piece of advice would you give to a new writer?
For a new writer- write and then write more. Don't stop, don't be satisfied. You know how people say your early stuff is going to be bad? It probably is. You can be good and still be bad at the same time.
Where can readers follow you?
~Nina Martinez
Main site: http://www.ruindestruction.com/
Writing blog: http://loudquietgirl.wordpress.com/
BLURB taken from Goodreads
Thirty years ago, there was a revolution.
Humans who had been granted powers through experiments performed upon them against their will, broke free from the labs and burned across the land, creating a dangerous new territory called the Wildlands.
Paula has grown up in the Neutral Territory, never knowing a time without the neighboring Wildlands as a threat. Her government does what it can to protect her people, but they still live in fear of the powerful Wildlanders invading their safe and protected territory.
Then one night Paula's mother is arrested, and Paula is banned from the Neutral Territory to the Wildlands. Now she must make a new life for herself in a territory of people she knows will not be welcoming.
Humans who had been granted powers through experiments performed upon them against their will, broke free from the labs and burned across the land, creating a dangerous new territory called the Wildlands.
Paula has grown up in the Neutral Territory, never knowing a time without the neighboring Wildlands as a threat. Her government does what it can to protect her people, but they still live in fear of the powerful Wildlanders invading their safe and protected territory.
Then one night Paula's mother is arrested, and Paula is banned from the Neutral Territory to the Wildlands. Now she must make a new life for herself in a territory of people she knows will not be welcoming.
Available from Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk £2.09 on kindle
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