Author of bestselling lesbian romance novels
In the May meeting of the #lesficbookclub , the readers and myself discussed “All the Love Songs.” If you weren’t able to make it, check out the transcript below.
LesFic Book Club Host (Cara Malone):
I believe @nicole_pyland is here?
LesFic Book Club Host:
Hello! How are you?
Reader 1:
Hi from the UK, Nicole. Loved the book. Was Kenzie always going to be a neurodiverse character?
Reader 1:
I think you captured her really well.
Reader 2:
Hey, y’all. I made it. Hahaha. Loved the book. It made me cry a bit.
Reader 3:
Thank you soooo much for doing this!!!!
Reader 1:
When you wrote the book, did you know there was also a prequel just waiting to be written? Which I’ve recently read.
LesFic Book Club Host:
Dani and Peyton are such fully realized characters. I was surprised when I found out that their book was written second. Do you tend to dig deep into all of your characters like that while you’re figuring out the story?
Reader 4:
I thought I’d missed something when I saw ATLS is now book 2. I read it before book 1 was released, I think.
Reader 5:
I’ve never heard of an autistic character referred to as graceful before. Most of the people I know on the spectrum (including myself) are more on the awkward and clumsy side of things. I’m curious as to where this originated. I don’t know everything there is to know about autism so I’m always looking to learn more.
Reader 4:
The gracefulness made sense, because my brain is constantly trying to optimize. As is my wife’s, and we’re both on the spectrum.
Reader 4:
Hahahahahaha
Reader 2:
When you wrote the book, what was the inspiration behind Lennox’s character?
Reader 2:
Character well done!
Reader 5:
You did well writing all the parts regarding sensory overload.
Reader 4:
So, are you also on the spectrum? Or adjacent?
Reader 3:
You write with so much heart, and each character is filled with wonderful nuances and wit. How did you feel about opening yourself up and allowing yourself to write honestly? Because, all of it came through beautifully.
LesFic Book Club Host:
How did you come up with the concept for adult summer camp? I loved that.
Reader 6:
I took my granddaughter and friends to an all day concert, and there was an adult day care tent. A/C, chargers, water, etc. Cool. Love the idea.
LesFic Book Club Host:
Nice. That sounds relaxing.
Reader 1:
I found it so interesting that you wrote someone who describes herself as awkward doing a job where everyone wants a piece of her. The tension of these opposing positions was so interesting to read.
Reader 4:
I don’t know how many people caught it, but I really liked that Kenzie didn’t know how to dance because she never had to learn for a role. There is so much summed up in that one sentence, that it stuck with me.
Reader 4:
Yeah. And then Lennox not even questioning or pushing her was so good!
Reader 7:
Not so much a question, but: One of the things I liked about the book was the balance. For me, your book had a great balance of wish fulfillment (imagining falling in love with a celebrity crush) and… reality (in my case, there were scenes that reminded me of the early days of my relationship with my wife).
LesFic Book Club Host:
And I think anyone could fall in love in a canopy in the woods – great romantic setting.
Reader 5:
I am curious if Maddox will be getting her own book at some point in the future.
LesFic Book Club Host:
Woo hoo – I love Maddox.
Reader 8:
Me too! Her interactions with Kenzie were great.
Reader 1:
All the Love Songs has a large supporting cast. Is this part of your masterplan for a huge series?
Reader 1:
Hahaha. Maybe you just need to percolate!
LesFic Book Club Host:
So would you say you’re a pantser when you write?
Reader 5:
Or, perhaps, do you plot in small doses (a book at a time) and pants the overall series?
Reader 3:
That is amazing. I think I spend too much time planning. Maybe going with the flow is the thing to do.
Reader 3:
When is your next book due to come out? And do you have an ARC team?
Reader 9:
Just popping in. I didn’t get to read this month’s book, so I won’t join in, but I have read books 2, 3 and 4 in the Tahoe series and absolutely love them. Great books.
Reader 3:
You mention fanfiction, where do you post?
Reader 5:
I don’t know if @Reader 4 will have time to ask these before they have to run off, so I’ll ask for them.
1) Where did the idea for the book come from?
2) Was it hard to write the angsty parts?
Reader 1:
First book of yours I read was the one with Eva and Ember (The Best lines). I didn’t realize it was part of a series, but it didn’t detract from my enjoyment of the book. Do you feel you need to read them in order to get maximum enjoyment?
Reader 7:
Best of both worlds. I can be so completist about reading series, but sometimes, it’s just nice to pick up a book. 😊
Reader 6:
I think it’s better to read in order. Chicago is still one of my favorite series. Love Hailey and Charlie (Just Tell Her).
Reader 4:
Heading into a canyon soon. Will read later. Will say this is one of the few books with autism representation I’ve read, and it was so helpful when I was figuring myself out. So, thank you for writing it.
LesFic Book Club Host:
Could you see yourself writing full-time if the opportunity presented itself?
LesFic Book Club Host:
You write so prolifically, I assumed that you were full-time until you just mentioned otherwise – you go girl : D
Reader 7:
I also wanted to applaud the representation: I liked that it wasn’t anywhere close to her entire character. And it didn’t fall into the “obstacle or gift” dichotomy, but showed that (like so much else in life) that aspect of her had both positives and negatives for Kenzie.
NP: I wanted to show that it’s part of who she is, but not all of who she is because that’s how I know I feel, and I think that can be applied universally; not just with being on the spectrum.
Reader 1:
What’s your “day job” and how on earth do you fit it all in?
LesFic Book Club Host:
That separation is so important.
Reader 1:
That sounds….. intense! I am rubbish at working from home. Too many distractions, too many dogs to snuggle!
Reader 10:
Hi, Nicole. I loved the book. I would like to know how long it takes to write a book? You always seem to have a book out for us to read!
Reader 3:
You are truly gifted.
Reader 4: 1:33 PM
Does your wife read your books?
Reader 4: 17 days ago
Very nice 🙂
Reader 7:
With balancing both a day job and a writing life, how much time do you work on your writing in an average day/week?
Reader 1: 1:35 PM
I really enjoyed The Fire and The Disappeared. Any plans to go more in this direction again?
Reader 1: 17 days ago
That’s good to know!
Reader 8: 17 days ago
I loved The Fire. One of my top three books of yours. The Disappeared was great, too.
Reader 8:
Yes, they were intense as a reader, but damn. Oh, can I say that word… The way you wrote the characters was amazing. I especially loved Ripley and Kenna’s connection.
Reader 8:
Excellent book. Can’t say it enough. That’s deep… how you came up with the characters names.
LesFic Book Club Host:
What’s your favorite genre/trope/fandom to read in (if you even have free time anymore, haha)?
Reader 3: 😀
LesFic Book Club Host:
Who’s your favorite LesFic author?
Reader 8:
Glad to know I am not the only one who reads LesFic 99% of the time. 😊
Reader 8:
I’m a Brayden fan, too. Loved her Seven Shores series, especially, ELT.
Reader 11:
Are you planning on writing books outside of your comfort zone? Sorry I am late. I am making chicken gumbo .
Reader 3:
I think that’s what makes it so authentic. You dig really deep down to the point where the connections between the characters is raw and honest.
Reader 1:
Similar to Reader 11 above, any plans on a different genre? Say, historical or sci-fi?
Reader 8:
Starting the first book in the first series today. Just finished reading ATLS again.
Reader 12:
Hi, Nicole. Loved both books in this series. I re-read both in the past couple of weeks. “Fresh Start” was one of the first books in lesbian romance I read. It really affected me and turned me into a fan of the genre. Thanks for the great books!
Reader 3:
Being that many of these books are personal, do they ever take so much out of you that you have to take a break from writing?
Reader 1:
Sounds like you’re a writing ninja. Lol!
NP: That made my wife laugh.
Reader 1: 😀
Reader 11:
Is there going to be an answer to the brother on The Disappeared?
Reader 11: 17 days ago
I can understand that.
Reader 1: 17 days ago
As a reader, I did want the answer to that question, but I respect that life is not neat.
Reader 8: 1:52 PM
I’m just going say it… I love how you write the sex scenes. They have so much passion. Being that writing them is outside your comfort zone, how is that you write them so well? What’s your process, if any at all?
Reader 7: 17 days ago
From what I read in this book, it works! (Definitely won’t be the last book of yours I read!)
Reader 8: 17 days ago
Wow… I love how you just explained that. I feel like you hit every sex scene perfectly for ALL your characters.
Reader 11:
What are your favorite characters or couple in your books?
Reader 11:
Nice!
Reader 6:
I still vote for Charlie and Hailey (Just Tell Her).
Reader 8:
Loved, loved Ember & Eva. I’ve read that book at least five times.
Reader 11:
Dang. I’ll have to go with Fresh Start couple.
Reader 1:
What book are you most proud of?
Reader 3:
I think of your books as insightful and, honestly, therapeutic. And I’m sure I’m not the only one. So how does it feel, to be the one to have helped so many people gain an understanding and compassion for those on the spectrum?
NP: Honestly… weird. Lol. I write for myself. Always have. So, to find out that something I’ve written has helped someone be more comfortable with who they are (whether it be this, or with their own sexuality) is one of the best things I’ll ever do.
Reader 3:
And you do it so well. Thank You! I honestly can’t remember which one of your books was the first I read, but I will tell you, it took me less than a week to read every one of your books. It was a whole new meaning to binge-reading.
Reader 8:
Read all of them. Seriously, they are all great!
LesFic Book Club Host:
Thank you so much for chatting with us, Nicole! Does anybody have any parting thoughts or last questions?
Reader 11:
Thanks you for your time. Greetings from Alabama.
Reader 1:
Thanks for joining us, Nicole. Have enjoyed the insights. Goodnight from the UK.
Reader 6:
Enjoyed this session. Love Slack. Thanks, Nicole, for your time.
Reader 7:
Thank you!
Reader 13:
Thank you so much!!!
NP: Thanks for hanging out with me!
If anyone is interested, you can hop over to my site, create a login, and get some free stuff right now (like, The Proposal Series and the What Happened After for ATLS and No After You).
Thanks everyone! Have a great night or day wherever you are!