The Writer’s Life Nell Dixon Author Interview
Today for the series The Writer’s Life, I am featuring an interview of author Nell Dixon. Nell is a writer of historical fiction. I am happy she allowed me to interview her on Bookplaces Blog.
Hello Nell,
K. Tell us about yourself …. Where do you live? Where did you grow up and attend school?
N. I was born and grew up in the Black Country. This is a small region in the centre of the UK named for its industrial heritage when everything was covered in soot due to the steel, iron and chain making industries. Now it’s a green area. The dialect dates back to Shakespeare’s time and is very distinct. I now live in a small fishing town in Devon in the southwest of England, not far from Agatha Christie’s former home, Greenways. This is the area where the Miss Underhay series and my new series, The Secret Detective Agency is set.
K. Are you married or single? Any children or pets?
N. I’ve been married to my husband for almost 40 years. We met at school when we were 12. We have three daughters and a grandson. I live in a stone cottage with a view of the sea from the back of the house and farmland at the front of the house. We have a small brown cockapoo dog called Teddy who loves to walk on the beach.
K. Are you employed now? Retired? If so, what was your previous occupation?
N. I am a registered nurse, midwife and health visitor. I retired from nursing four years ago and now write full-time.
K. Are you a coffee or tea drinker or other? Do you listen to music or need silence?
N. I’m a big coffee drinker. I like tea but it doesn’t like me as it makes me very nauseous. Sometimes I need quiet to write, other times I have a playlist, or on Friday evenings I listen to a tiny radio station based in Scotland called Forth Valley Radio where they play three hours of Bay City Rollers music and I connect with my fellow roller friends from all over the world.
K. What do you like to do in your free time? Do you have any hobbies? Vacations?
N. I love gardening, theatre and art. I paint and draw and swim regularly. I love old buildings and social history.
K. Would you consider yourself a reader? What types of books do you like to read?
N. I have been a voracious reader ever since I learned to read. I read quickly and can read three books in a day if I’m on holiday and I’m just relaxing. I enjoy everything except horror and high fantasy and navel gazing fiction. I love romance, cozy crime, romantic comedy, and autobiography best.
K. Have you ever taken any writing courses or studied writing in school?
N. My latest book is Murder at the Island Hotel. This is a Miss Underhay book set in Devon in 1936. The island itself is fictional but loosely based on two actual islands not far from my house. If you enjoy Agatha Christiesque style mysteries then this could work for you. All of the books in the series can be read as standalones. The first in the series, Murder at the Dolphin Hotel, starts an underlying mystery that runs through the first ten books, and you can follow Matt and Kitty’s relationship as it develops along with the cases they solve along the way.
K. Tell us about your books, especially your newest one. What was your inspiration?
N. My new series is The Secret Detective Agency and will be published next year. It was announced this week and is set in 1941 and is a cozy crime series set during World War 2. I am really excited to be bringing this series out and I hope fans of Kitty and Matt will enjoy meeting Jane, Arthur and Marmaduke, the one-eyed ginger tabby cat.
K. Is there anything you’d like to talk about your writing life? News, announcements etc.
N. I have a blog. https://nelldixonrw.blogspot.com
You can find me on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/nelldixonauthor
Instagram http://HelenaDixonUK
Twitter http://@NellDixon
Link to Murder at the Island Hotel
https://geni.us/B0CLKX2BXGauthor
The next book in the series, Murder on the French Riviera, is also available now for preorder.
https://www.amazon.com/Murder-French-Riviera-incredibly-historical-ebook/dp/B0CVXVNHSP
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Roberta Eaton Cheadle
April 29, 2024 at 1:07 pmHi Kay, thanks for this interesting interview. The origin of the name Black Country is quite frightening by today’s standards. Nell’s boooks sound great.
Kay
April 29, 2024 at 1:17 pmThat name caught my attention also. I added her books to my list. Doing interviews gives me a chance to know about new books and ones I haven’t heard of. I meet new authors too. I hope you can read the post alright. I’ve had so much trouble lately with it. Things disappear, it looks like I comment on my own posts and more! I guess I have to get a new theme and update everything. Thanks, Robbie.
dgkaye
April 29, 2024 at 6:35 pmWonderful interview. Thanks for introducing us to Nell and her books. Black country – sounds ominous, but I get it. :) <3
Miriam Hurdle
April 29, 2024 at 11:28 pmThis is a great interview, Kay and Nell. Nell has an interesting life. I found Black Country on the UK map. Having three daughters and a grandkid sounds beautiful. Nell and I have something in common. I also love gardening and art. I like to paint, draw, and swim also. I enjoy classical music.
Miriam Hurdle
May 1, 2024 at 8:30 pmHi Kay, may I have your email address? It seems like your blog should show more “likes” and comments. My comments are not showing.
Kay
May 1, 2024 at 11:09 pmThank you Debby. I’m glad you visited and read about Nell. I add all her books to my TBR list.
Kay
May 1, 2024 at 11:11 pmkay@whiteriverwriters.com. I see what you mean Miriam. I only see this one comment now. I don’t understand why.
Miriam Hurdle
May 1, 2024 at 11:59 pmI just emailed you to point out a couple of things. I’ll ask you more questions later to see how you set up your blog. Do you know the name of your theme?
dgkaye
May 2, 2024 at 8:41 am<3
Miriam Hurdle
May 3, 2024 at 12:23 amYou must have fixed the “Community,” Kay! It looks good. I can see a few more comments also. That’s wonderful.