Q1. Hello, can you please introduce yourself? Readers would love to know more about you.
Hello I’m Arthia Nixon and I’m the author of several books in adult, romance, children’s and business genres. I’m a journalist/publicist and mom to an actress. Writing has always been a big part of my life since I was a child. My parents still have stories I wrote at age 4 and 5 and essays and writing awards or newspaper clippings from my childhood. I’m talking boxes of them.
Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing your book ‘The Bishop’s Beard’?
Whew! The biggest challenge was not to directly name names and to ensure I didn’t identify precise incidents. Because this book was ministry based and I came from a background that had mysic and ministry, alot of people were wondering who it was about. Some people still guessed and I will never say if they guessed correctly. Yes, the book draws from some real incidents and people and when I said I was writing it, the person laughed and said it was perfect. People who know me know that my novels tend to have some real life experiences. I simply never confirm who, what, where, when or why. But I’ve had some people I didn’t even know read my novels who wondered. But it’s all fiction.
Q3. What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?
My parents had the task of raising a creative and weird child as their oldest and didnt know wgat to do with me. Writing was my escape from their arguments and other things. However, there were always books and I was told I began reading at age 3. My grandmother Florence Mingo was the reader. She had me on most weekends and I was very advanced in reading and I used to read her Danielle Steele and Harlequin books. She was the first person who would let me read her my own writing books. I remember sitting through a hurricane with her just listening to the wind and writing while she read. My aunt Velma Petty, who is a pastor’s wife and minister of the church I grew up in mostly also ensured I read when I was with her on Sunday. She gave me my first diary to write in and we left it at her house because my mother was the type to just assume I was writing real things. Even at school, I got into trouble for writing instead of taking notes. I didn’t have a favorite genre and had everything from The Babysitters Club to Anne of Green Gables to Stephen King and my grandmother’s Alice in Wonderland and Arabian Nights. My writing today is influenced by my observations, real life and just imagination.
Q4. Whatโs your favourite spot to visit in your own country? And what makes it so special to you?
I am originally from Eleuthera, an island in the Bahamas I am fiercely protective of. Our house is on the beach so that is my most favorite spot in the world. I also love an area along the gulf coast of Florida, and South Carolina. I just sneak off for waterviews and pull out my Tiffany pen that was gifted to me and write by hand.
Q5. Is there lots to do before you dive in and start writing a book?
Not really. I’ve written books in 3 days or a week. I just sometimes see the whole thing in my dreams and write it out, the outline, characters and more and it comes together.
Q6. How long did it take you to write your book ‘The Bishop’s Beard’?
One week. I thought about it and emailed the idea to myself but never had time to write it. I ended up in the hospital due to my illness and wrote it during my rest and recover time.
Q7. On what platforms can readers buy your book ?
Amazon, Payhip.com, ArthiaNixon.com and multiple bookstores and libraries. Google search it. However my mailing list is best for new releases and behind the scenes.
Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title ‘The Bishop’s Beard’?
I thought the title was very self explanatory but apparently it wasn’t for people who did not know the term. I explained it inside the book. I knew how I wanted my characters to look and when it becomes a film, I already see some things. But the cover l, I put in my graphic designer’s hands and she did a great job.
Q9. When writing a book how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?
I’ve been told I have a signature style for plot twists. I don’t intend to keep things fresh. I just tell the story and think I don’t want to make this obvious and let ne think of something I wouldn’t expect of thus character. And it worked. You can’t be afraid to let characters go and you have to learn to end a series or stand alone.
Q10. Are there any secrets from the book (that arenโt in the blurb), you can share with your readers?
There are so many secrets! There is the secret as to why Lavinia and her sons never got along and why appearances in church are so important. There’s the secret as to why Judah and Dereka get along so great as a couple and why they fight so hard to not ruin things even though they both have secrets. There’s the secret as to why Shay the goddaughter is so protected and why the father, Bishop Darold was ready to pass along the church to his sons. Church hurt is real. Music ministry has drama. And there is an Alphonso in every church hidden or in plain sight.
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