INTERVIEW: YA Science Fiction Author Ann R.McNicol

 

Ann R. McNicol

Safety Harbor, Florida

USA

Good morning, Ann, and welcome to Vision and Verse. Can you tell 

us a little about what you've  written?

I’m a new author, I like to say I’m not “retired”, I did a career change to writing. 

My first book (Charlie’s Story) is part of a Young Adult science fiction trilogy. It was published in March 2021. 

The second book (The Nest) is set to release on May 25th as an 

eBook, and about a month later as a paperback. 

The third book (Tentacles) is about 75% written, I plan to release it in 

September.   Here is a link to the series.

 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09TRX48MV  Charlie’s Story

 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BX9TSXHD  The Nest

 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BXB9PHYX Tentacles

 

Favorite food?

Jewish comfort food from my childhood, 

knishes, blintzs, matzo ball soup.

Tea or coffee?

 

I’m addicted to coffee.

 

Pizza or ice cream? 

Ice cream 

 

Wine or beer or soda or what? 

Wine. 

 

Where would you like to visit? 

I’m a Florida girl, and I love Florida beaches and the Florida Keys. 

I go often, we camp in the Keys a few times a year. But I would like

to spend more time on the West coast of the United states. We went to

the Grand Canyon and Sedona last year. Just marvelous. I would like 

to explore more areas in the west. 

 

 

Favorite musical artist. 

How do you pick one? I love acoustic guitar music, John Renbourn,

Pierre Bensusan, Guy Van Duser. But – there are so many vocalists 

I also love. June Tabor, Janis Ian, Joan Baez 

 

 

Do you listen to music when you write?

Sometimes, but it has to be instrumental, otherwise I get distracted. 

What makes you laugh? 

I have low taste – Randy Rainbow is my favorite comedian. 

 

Favorite work of art or sculpture. 

No real opinion here, I gravitate to impressionist works. 

 

How old were you when you started writing?

 

I always wanted to write, I was a voracious reader. In high school I

wrote science fiction stories, but drifted away as I started working in

science and raising a family. But I never lost my desire to write and 

when I retired; left my day job, I started writing in earnest. 

 

Do you plan out your book with outlines and notecards? 

Or just write?

 I’m a panster, the story evolves. My characters often surprise me 

with what they do.   

 

Describe your perfect evening. 

Watching sunset at the beach. 

 

Where do you get your inspiration?

 

From diving and snorkeling on coral reefs.

From walking on the beach and from reading 

the newspaper – climate change is always on 

my mind. 

What do you do when you get a writer's block? 

I edit what I have already written. I bounce

from one chapter or book to another. 

 

Who is your favorite author? 

Oh My God, how do you choose?

 

I am a voracious reader.I can’t pick one – it 

depends on what mood I’m in.

 

But I tend to gravitate to science fiction. I grew up reading Robert A.

Heinlein, Isaac Asimov and Arthur C Clark. My contemporary

favorites are Andy Weir, (The Martian, Project Hail Mary), Dennis E. 

Taylor, (The Bobiverse series), Earnest Cline (Ready Player One)

 

Best book you ever read. 

So hard, impossible. But – I think the most influential one for me was 

Heinlein’s The Moon is a Harsh Mistress.

 

Last book you read. 

The House on the Cerulean Sea (TJ Klune

 

What would you do for a living if you weren’t a writer?

No idea. I worked in science and taught for 36 years. I feel very 

fortunate to not have a “day job”. When I’m not writing, I am 

walking, riding bikes or camping with my husband, visiting with 

my grown children, and playing with my very spoiled cats. 

Who is the one person who has influenced your personal life

the most and why?

My husband of 42 years, Kenneth McNicol. He is my rock

 – my support, my inspiration. Father of our wonderful children, 

and now – my number one fan. 

 

 

Do you have some links for us to follow you? 

My website:

https://mcnicola.com/

My linktree:  https://linktr.ee/mcnicola

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ann.mcnico

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