An Interview with Noelle Nichols

Today we are joined by indie fantasy author, Noelle Nichols. She has written “Shadow’s Hand” as well as working on a companion piece for the book. Thank you for joining us today, Noelle!

Thanks for having me! I’m excited to talk to you today. :) 

So for those of us who haven’t had the pleasure of reading your book, can you give us a bit of information on it?

Sure! The Shadow’s Creed Saga is a world that’s based roughly on Feudal Japan, with a culture that reflects the Bushido Code of the Samurai. The series began to grow as I wrote it, so it had a bit of a ninja-like edge to it as well. The characters really made it their own. It’s a tale that speaks of noble characters, heart-breaking choices and the duty to oneself and their people. There’s a lot of good fights and places the characters take us. 

Awesome! I know you have a magic system called “Skills”, can you tell us a bit about that and where the inspiration for it came from?

So the Skills is a magic based more on nature. If anyone is familiar with Shinto or Taoism, you might have a little bit of an insight into the magic. Shinto is Japan’s native religion or belief where spirits reside in everything. Taoism is about the natural flow of the world. The Skills grew out of both of those beliefs and throughout the series the characters themselves come to understand what the Skills are. What they can do, what they should and shouldn’t be used for and become a sort of concept that is abstract and neither wrong nor right. Not to spoil too much, but I think it’s one of things most fun in the series because we never get a clear answer. At least, not yet. ;) 

Shinto, Taoism, Bushido code...What kind of research did you delve into for this project?

All kinds! I tried to bury myself in as much of the Japanese culture as I could while still sort of seeing if from an outside perspective. I’ve begun gathering many, many books on samurais, Shinto, Taoism, even Buddhism to get a sense of how the culture works. While it’s not a historical piece, I do feel people who are familiar with any of these concepts will recognize certain aspects. I tried to capture the peace and serenity I feel when studying these concepts. It’s turned into a very personal passion project of mine. 

I know that like “Vendetta’s Rise”, “Shadow’s Hand” also takes place within the perspective of multiple characters. Can you tell us a bit about the main cast?

Yes, so Kilo is our first main character. He’s an older protagonist than many series, being in his 30’s. He’s one of the Shadows, who are sort of like peacekeepers or military-like protectors of their village and the other towns. He’s a very noble character who holds to the Shadow’s Creed with strict attention. His character is one where I wanted to show the compassion and the kindness of a person who is weighing difficult choices. He hesitates to kill people to solve problems (due to his creed, but also because it’s his character), and I find that refreshing in a main character. Our other main character is Shenrae, who is younger, around eighteen and contrasts Kilo’s character in the sense that she’s learning how to become a hero. It’s something I wanted to play with. We have our hero, Kilo, but we also have Shenrae who is finding her way in the world. She’s a very open-minded and kind girl, and I’ve heard a lot of really great things about the reader's reactions to her.

Do you have a favorite character in the book?

Well, I do, but it’s not an easy choice! Kilo is really my favorite character. He’s the person I wish I could be, and what I tried to write him like. But, I’m going to cheat and say that his sister, Finae, is also my favorite character. She’s a really sweet character and Kilo depends a lot on her worldview to sort of weigh out his own perspective. 

I find certain characters easier or more fun to write than others, did you have a character that you always looked forward to writing for?

The characters I enjoyed writing the most are anyone who can oppose our beloved main character, Kilo. Asdar is sort of Kilo’s friend, more like a brother, and he’s one of the only people who openly confront Kilo. Those scenes are so much fun to write. Asdar is someone who is a little more blunt than Kilo is and getting to write that bluntness without regard to what anyone’s going to think about them was a lot of fun to write!

Let's turn to your other upcoming work. Can you tell us the title and a bit about it?

The second book in The Shadow’s Creed Saga, Phantom’s Lament will be coming out later this year. It is...a gut punch to put it lightly. LOL. I very intentionally left the first book off in a particular place so I could have fun delving deeper into the characters’ personalities, motivations and backstories. It continues the adventures with a better focus on the character aspects. It’s taken me quite a while to write, and that’s mostly due to all of the tension and moments we experience in the book. I’m really proud of where it’s at, and I just had my first reaction to the book and it’s exactly what I wanted it to be!

How exciting! Tell me, what outside influences have led you to this point in your writing style. Books, authors, movies, anime?

The Japanese culture in general has always been something I’ve loved. I was introduced to it from anime, which led me to researching more about it. I find the peace and connectedness to nature to be one of the most compelling for me, as I feel it’s something I personally am searching for. Anime has also been a big influence. I’ve always enjoyed the humor and the backstories for all characters. Sometimes I even find myself picturing how the scenes are going to play out, like it would in a manga. So if you’re ever reading it and seeing the “panels” that’s what I’m starting to play with in my writing. I think it’s more apparent in my latest works, but it’s become something I’m actively writing to now. Which is a lot of fun. Why not make things more epic if you can?

When I write my fight scenes I imagine them in a sakuga animation style. So can relate. But we all want to know, or at least myself, which anime is your biggest influence?

That’s awesome! For me, it’s Rurouni Kenshin. I saw it ages ago, and it’s been the anime that’s always stuck with me. It was the first samurai show I’d ever seen, and the main character, Himura Kenshin was one I immediately knew I wanted to write a character like. Kilo is very similar in a lot of aspects, but different enough to hold his own. I just loved the tortured soul who was trying to do good. That contrast has always been something I wanted to write a character about. If you haven’t seen the anime...it’s so good! My all time favorite.

What about books? Do any authors influence you at all?

Robin Hobb. She’s one of the authors who was writing in first person when it wasn’t really a “thing”. A lot of fantasy is written in third person POV, but I’ve always deeply connected to first person because it’s a little more. Her book Assassin's Apprentice was my first look into that deep POV and being inside a character’s head so much. I actually wrote Shadow’s Hand in third person POV originally, then rewrote the entire thing because it needed the first person to understand it on the deeper level.

Yes, I can see that connection.

As we come to the close, do you have any advice or pearls of wisdom for the struggling indie authors or first time writers?

Believe in yourself. Writing a book is not an easy feat. It’s funny because I used to think writing the book was the hardest part and then I learned it’s more than just writing. It takes a lot of work and dedication, but the most important part is to stay true to what you want to write. There’s so many books out there, and it’s such a grueling process that you’ll need to rely on your own belief and desire to see it through to the end. I wrote Shadow’s Hand for me initially, never really believing anyone would enjoy it as much as I did. I was surprised when I met other readers, now a lot of them are my friends who loved my characters and series even more than I do. It’s humbling, and it’s shown me the most important part about writing is to stick to what’s important. Explore the characters and the truth you’re trying to tell. It matters more about writing something YOU will love and enjoy than it does what others things. If you keep that in mind while writing and never lose that motivation, I think the process will become easier. 

Excellent advice. I’d like to personally thank you for waking up at this ungodly hour to join me today!

LOL! Anytime. Some of us enjoy the early dusk hours where no one is awake. Thanks for having me. :) 

You can purchase Shadow’s Hand here!