Connie: Hi, Nalini. It’s a pleasure to have the chance to visit with you! I’ve got all sorts of questions to ask and am anxious to get started, but first, would you tell the readers a bit about yourself, what sub-genres you write for, and perhaps a bit about what you’re working on now?

Nalini: Thanks for the warm welcome, Connie!

Okay, about me – I was born on the tiny Pacific Island of Fiji but grew up mostly in New Zealand. A few years back I took off for exotic locales and spent three years living and working in Japan.

Now I’m back in NZ and working on the next book in my Psy/Changeling series, which is set in the not so distant future. It focuses on a race without emotions but with incredible powers of the mind, and the shapeshifters who are their exact opposites – craving touch, loving sensation.

I also write short contemporary stories for Sil Desire. My most recent one came out this February.

Connie: A race with powers but no emotions and another race needing the emotions, touch. I do believe you’ve piqued the interest of the paranormal readers!

The ever present "what if" question feeds the imagination. Do you think there’s a story for every "what if" out there, or do you think there are some "what ifs" that simply can’t be turned into a believable, readable story?

Nalini: I think a wide-open mind is the greatest asset. Taken that way any "what if" question carries the potential to become a great story.

Connie: Once you get that potentially great story brainstormed or outlined, Nalini, what are the most important elements of a book, you as an author, need to incorporate in to each book? What elements are necessary, yet you feel can stay in the shadows? How do you go about it, make sure they’re in each story and balanced?

Nalini: I write very character focused books so for me, character is key. I want readers to truly get to know the people I write about, their emotions, their lives, their worlds. In terms of what needs to stay in the shadows, that depends on each particular story and finding the balance is, I think, part of a writer’s natural voice.

Connie: You’ve written for one of the Desire continuity series. Would you tell the readers how a continuity series is created and how the authors are chosen to participate?

Nalini: The idea or concept for a Desire continuity comes from the editors. So for example in the Ashtons continuity, the editors created the Ashton family and their background.

However, this isn’t to say authors have no say. What then happened is that the twelve authors got together and nutted out the details. It’s a back and forth between the authors and editors until we have something we can work with. As for our own particular characters, each of us has lots of room to move.

In terms of choosing the authors, that’s an editorial decision, but from my experience, the editors try to choose authors whose natural voices fit the tone and concept of the stories to be told.

Connie: What was your experience working on the Ashton series like? Did you feel it kept you on your toes and challenged you in a way? Or did you tackle it as you would any of your other stories?

Nalini: I was challenged. Definitely. Writing in a continuity is one way to flex your writing muscles and get out of your comfort zone. As a hero, Alexandre was very different from the heroes I’d written to that point. Also, the setting, in the Napa Valley wine country, kept me on my toes. I didn’t know much about wine before the continuity, but I know a heck of a lot now!

The other thing this continuity taught me is the value of working with other writers. We each had our own vision and our own takes on things but somehow, we were able to put it all together into a cohesive whole.

Connie: Getting out of that comfort zone can be scary, but I’d imagine successful teamwork would be a great reward.

Nalini, you say the variety of jobs you’ve held is "the grist for the writer’s mill". Have your experiences, on some level, found their way into any of your stories and become part of your Desire character’s experiences, too?

Nalini: Sure, everything that happens to a writer, I think, is useful for book material. Maybe not always the experience itself, but the emotions accompanying the experience.

An easy example of an actual experience finding itself into the book is Caleb from Secrets In the Marriage Bed. He’s a corporate lawyer. Having being a lawyer myself, I could write the high-stress scenes in a realistic way.

Another, less obvious example is Sascha in my single title, Slave to Sensation. She had a Japanese great-grandmother, Ai. The name "Ai" means Love in Japanese, which is something I learned while teaching in Japan. In StS, that name means so much.

Connie: These experiences add an extra layer to the authors writings which the reader can feel when reading.

Research, another aspect of a book where an author creates another layer. Many don’t realize the extent most authors go to, or that they spend a huge chunk of time researching to make their stories accurate, more three-dimensional. How much of your time is spent researching prior to and during the writing of a book? And what do you find to be the best part of researching?

Nalini: I do very basic research prior to starting the book because I don’t want to end up overwriting the research into the book. What I do is write the story, then go back and make sure any factual points are correct. Sometimes I do have to do research in the middle of the book if the research point is something that could change the plot, but usually I do it at the end.

And yes, it does take time, because it’s so important to get things right. But it’s fun, too, because of the people you meet – I am constantly surprised at the generosity of people in terms of sharing their knowledge. That’s one of the best parts of doing research.

Connie: As with some authors do you find you have more information than what you need when you’re done researching? Do you file the extra, unused information away in cased it’s needed again?

Nalini: Yes! I’m a total info packrat.

Connie: You’ve done research for your Psy paranormal series as well. The paranormal genre is expected to go outside the box, yet readers want a sense of accuracy or sense of familiarity, too. Is there a ratio you use in these stories of research vs. artistic license?

Nalini: No, for me it’s about instinct and voice. One thing I will say is that I wanted my world in the future but a future that we could easily imagine, so I’ve done the futuristic touches with a light hand. But other than that, what I put in and what I take out, depends on the demands of the story itself.

Connie: Some authors have gone so far as to map out their future world, their major cities in which the character’s stories are based. Others make charts or simply write out the details of their future world. What route did you take, Nalini, when creating your future setting for the Psy series?

Nalini: I have maps of the locations used in the books, as well as a series bible, which notes down timelines, character details, major historical events in this alternate world etc. It’s a constantly evolving thing because my world is evolving. That sense of growth is important to me.

Connie: What did you have the most fun creating, language, future technology, social interaction? Or was there something else that really took off once the idea sparked?

Nalini: Since I focus on characters, I had a lot of fun getting to know the people who populate this world. Some are good, some are bad and some are deliciously gray. Of course, making up the odd bit of futuristic technology was also great!

Connie: It’s obvious you work hard at blending your fictional future with believability. Something that readers notice and appreciate.

Getting to know the other side of you a bit better… As pre-teens and teens most of us had girlhood crushes on stars. Who did you have a crush on?

Nalini: Gosh, thinking back…and back… I do believe I went through a New Kids on the Block phase, before shifting my attentions to Pierce Brosnan (who I still think is hot!).

Connie: He gets better with age, doesn’t he?

Some people co-exist with dust bunnies (to a certain extent) and others combat them vigorously. Where do you stand on the issue of dust bunnies and housework?

Nalini: If I’m working and on a deadline, I will cheerfully ignore housework. But I can’t work in absolute mess, so every so often, I’ll clear out my desk and tidy up. I’m sort of in-between – I’m no neat freak but total mess doesn’t work for me either. Lived in clutter is where I’m at.

Connie: And a good place to be, too. You say you love chocolate. In what form? Candy, dessert, coffee flavors, etc.? Is there any particular brand you’re partial to?

Nalini: In any form! I love chocolate drinks, bars, cake etc. I like the creamy kind though I’m starting to like dark chocolate a lot, too. When I went to the US the first time, my must-see stops included the Godiva shop and the Ghirardelli shop!

Connie: Love going to Ghirardelli’s! All the different things to choose from. It’s hard to pick.

Nalini, what one (or two) appliances couldn’t you live without? Food (other than chocolate :-)? Article(s) of clothing?

Nalini: My laptop / Tea (I drink gallons of it) / Sweats (yes, I’m very glamorous)

Connie: Nothing wrong with being a glamorous gal.

Of any holiday, what is your favorite family tradition?

Nalini: The simplest of things – just getting together in this chaotic noisy group, sharing food, sharing stories, eating too much and laughing till our sides ache.

Connie: With that I’ll thank you for being here with me. Before I say goodbye, is there anything I forgot to ask that you want the readers to know?

Nalini: Connie, thank you very much for the interview. To your readers – if you would like to find out more about my books, including behind-the-scenes info on the Psy/Changeling series as well, please visit my website: http://www.nalinisingh.com

Thanks again for a fabulous interview!

Connie: My pleasure.

Comment or respond to Nalini's interview and we'll post your comments below!

"Nalini definitely piqued my interest in her Psy series, along with several other readers I chat with, right from the first book in the series. We're all impatiently awaiting the next book. I love how the races are exact opposites as far as emotions. I highly recommend this series. Slave to Sensation was one of top favorite reads last year."

~Pam, CT