Q&A with Author Nicole Ireland

Today I'm talking to Nicole Ireland, author of A Second Chance....

Have you ever read a book that made you think 'wow'? If so, what book was it and why did it have such an effect on you?

There have been a couple books that have caused that reaction in me.
One that really stands out in my mind, though, is PS I Love You by Cecelia Ahern. I found myself crying and laughing throughout that entire book. It was an emotional rollercoaster that left me thinking about how great a love like that would be – to have someone love you so much that he wants to leave a piece of himself behind to help you heal after his death…Oh my gosh! That’s the kind we all want, I think. My heart just aches thinking about it.

Who is your favourite author and why?
That’s tough. There are SO many authors that inspire me, but I have to give the cliché answer…Stephen King. You can’t grow up in Maine and not be familiar with his work. When I realized I wanted to write, he was the one I looked up to and wanted to be like. How could you not? His career has been phenomenal and inspiring.

Who, or what, inspires you?
So many things. First and foremost, my kids. My daughter inspired a series of children’s stories that I would love to publish one day. In fact, my dad is supposed to start working on the illustration for the first one, titled Blue Kitty, and from there, we’ll look into our options.
 Also, my dad and mom inspire me. They’ve struggled a lot in their lives and when I see how far they’ve come over the years, I’m so extremely proud of them. They’ve helped shape me into the person I am today. So they inspire me to do better and be better. In fact, the characters of Evelyn and Frank in A Second Chance are based off my parents. It was my way of paying homage to them. I want to be just like them when I grow up.

Where is your favourite place to write?
Outside. There’s something so relaxing about being outside, the breeze blowing across your face as you type away. The smell, the sounds, the feel…it all inspires me and ultimately works its way into my writing. To see evidence of that, all you have to do is read the first page of A Second Chance. My love for fall is clearly showcased.

What is your book about? 

I suck at summarizing what my story is about because I don’t want to give too much away. Essentially, though, it’s about a woman who finds out she has terminal cancer. And as her days on Earth draw to a close, she prays for a second chance. But if you want to know if she gets it, you have to read the story.

What is your favourite film that was based on a book?
PS I Love You.

If your book was made into a film, who would you like to play the main characters?

I’ve actually been thinking about this a lot. I’m sure my closest friends will not be surprised by my answers.
In the roll of Jason, I would love to see Tahmoh Penikett. He’s proven time and time again that he can play emotional roles, and I love that about him. I think he could truly bring the character of Jason to life. When I picture how Jason reacts to Annabelle’s news, I get flashbacks of the character of Helo on Battlestar Galactica, who Tahmoh portrayed. He was such a strong character and would do anything for his wife and child.
For Annabelle, I’d have to say Eliza Dushku. I didn’t intentionally pair Tahmoh and her up because of their work together in Dollhouse. Tahmoh I thought of first. Eliza only came to mind recently. When her named popped up in my mind, I knew it was the right person. It’s purely coincidental that they once starred together on Dollhouse.

Tell us a random fact about yourself.
Hm, a random fact that one knows yet…
I play a mean game of volleyball. Seriously, if there’s one sport I’m super confident at, it’s that one. I haven’t played in years, though. Had my high school actually had a team, I would have tried out. And I’m extremely confident I would have made it. Who wants to play?

Thanks Nicole. It's always a pleasure having you feature on my blog!
For more information about Nicole and her writing, visit http://nicoleireland.com

(Image of Tahmoh Penikett courtesy of Arbron at http://www.flickr.com/photos/arbron/116230504)
(Image of Eliza Dushku © Glenn Francis, www.PacificProDigital.com)