Interview With Nick Wale

Looking to the future

Below is an interview Nick recently conducted for journalist Mac Miller.

When he arrived I did not know what to expect from him. Slowly, he looked around and noticed me. The first thing I noticed were his eyes, unlike any I’ve seen before. Nick Wale is handsome, rugged and a man completely away from his own generation. His size struck me more than anything– he’s working class– yet classically Roman. I was taken off guard as he smiled at my wife. Still, when we started the interview I was put at ease by his friendly and easy going nature.

Q Nice to meet you Nick– this is your first interview– correct?

A) Yes- my first for this book– I have been interviewed before.

Q) I won’t take it easy on you then.

A) Naw, now don’t be mean to me. I am new to this!

Q) First off, let me ask you what that record is under your arm?

A) Bobby Darin sings Ray Charles on Atlantic. I think Bobby Darin is just the end! Have you heard it?

Q) No– is it good? I’m a Darin fan too!

A) Get out of here! Well, it’s a swinging album, brother– here take this one and I’ll get another.

Q) Thank you– I will take it easy on you now– ready for the first question?”

A) Shoot

Q) So, you’ve finally finished “The Rose Amongst the Thorns”. How does it feel to be an author?

A) Pretty good, Mac! I guess it’s all down to good luck and blessings from God that we managed to finish it. I just follow the old adage– good luck brings forth more good luck and a little quicksand at times.

Q) How do you promote your work?

A) Well, I guess I use all the old carny tricks in the book. We make great use of Facebook and Twitter. I have a mailing list and of course the blog. I was recently telling Lori, my beautiful fiancee and co-author of “Rose”, about the importance of the blog– 1000 hits in two months is pleasing! I know we can do better.

Q) 1000 hits in two months? You don’t consider that a resounding success?

A) I consider it a beginning and I know we can do better. The way I see it is simple. There’s a 1000 hits now and perhaps 10,000 tomorrow and it’s all down to marketing and audience share.

Q) Do you believe “Rose Amongst the Thorns” is a hit?

A) I believe that it is not just a hit– I believe it is the hit of the decade. The book tells a dramatic true life story and tells it well. Lori is an excellent writer and I believe she has done some of her best work. This book isn’t just a book– it’s a movie and a series of books.

Q) Social commentary?

A) Indeed and a huge chunk of history to go with it. The original manuscript had more social commentary than this cut– but we gave up some story to make it more commercial– more viable for an audience.

Q) So it was rewritten?

A) Of course, who can write a book without rewrites and editing? We took it upon ourselves to do the first rewrite and the second was down to advice we were given from a great agent.

Q) So, an agent gave you some insight?

A) Yes, absolutely! Andrew Murray emailed me directly and read the first rewrite and loved it. He gave us invaluable advice and then we took his words and ran with them. The man was a guiding star to Lori and I!

Q) So, tell us about Nick Wale the man.

A) I’m a simple guy really– very easy going and devoted to my home life. I like to wake up slowly and get enough sleep. That’s one thing I loved about the process of writing “Rose”. It was one of those wonderful processes over a few months. I just worked hard and rested easy. Relaxing? I never relax in the day– I work and I catch up with my fellow writers and political buddies. I have a lot of friends in the business and some I would even like to represent as an agent.

Q) So, you want to become an agent?

Mac– I believe in doing as much as possible and I would become an agent in the time it takes to write my name. I have met some incredible authors who just don’t get the sales that they should. For example take Doug R Cobb– he is an excellent writer– yet he doesn’t get the sales he needs to give up the day job. I believe he could be the biggest thing since Steven King if given the chance.

Q) Douglas R Cobb? Author of “Crossing The Dead Line?”

A) Yes– I believe he has a film already written with that one.

Q) I’ll be sure to look out for it Nick– so what’s your home life like?

A) Bit personal, eh? Well it’s the same as everyone else’s– we don’t have any dinosaurs in the bath or anything. Lori and I like music and TV and we spend a lot of our time together. I believe in spending time with my family and nothing makes me happier.

Q) What does Lori think about the success you’ve had so far?

A) I think sometimes she worries that I’m a carny– she cringes a lot when she sees some of the things I do for promotion. I think she is proud though and happy– if she wasn’t happy I would give it up and get another job in an instant.

Q) Does Lori have any side projects?

A) She cross stitches and watches TV– she likes Mexican food and I think she has a new book in mind. It’s about a bored housewife running off to Greece and Turkey. I believe it’s a winner and it’s based on truth.

Q) Thank you for the heads up about her new work. Do you have any new projects on the go?

A) I have some news articles I’m currently working on and hope to sell to papers and I have two new books in mind. The first is a prequel to “Rose” and the second has the working title of “Poverty”. I will be previewing a few chapters soon on my blog.

Q) You seem to be pretty adult orientated for a 22 year old! What do you attribute such a strong work ethic to?

A) Well, Mac– I guess I’m not the same as other guys my age. I just see the world and look for the opportunities. Lori calls me a visionary at times. I believe it’s more down to the fact that I want to achieve. I like being me and that means that I want to be me for a long time. If I wasn’t writing or trying to write or be around writers, I wouldn’t be me.

Q) Back to “Rose” for a moment– can you tell us more about it?

A) Sure– “Rose” is the true story of my mother who suffered with depression. I guess the truth is that she went haywire for a time and things were hard until I met Lori. Mum and Lori were like oil and water to begin with and times were tough, but mum made the effort to fix herself and change her life. I am so proud of her for that– it’s a long and shocking tale– but it really does show the lows that depressives go to. Depression is a rampant disease, Mac, and it’s only by sharing experiences and making a positive change that we will fix it. There are lots of people out there suffering because of it.

Q) So, you want to help people?

A) Yes, sir, that’s one of my main goals and it will always be one of my main goals. I have been given a lot in this life and I would like to put back as much as I can. I believe that everyone should have opportunities and with this book I hope to give many, many people opportunities.

Q) How will you do this?

A) I want to start working with teenagers to get themselves into a profession and out of the jobcentre. I want to get people to write their stories and share their experiences. I would like as an agent to pick up books by writers who aren’t making enough money– and make them the money. I am not in this for myself– I’m in this business to make it happen for everyone I meet.

Q) Who is your personal hero?

A) Well, there’s a guy named Ed Powers who is one of my best friends. I really feel that he changes a lot of lives through his sermons and such. I have spent many hours talking to him and he just believes without question in things I do– that takes some guts because people say I’m crazy.

Q) Why crazy?

A) 22 and an author– ideas and marketing like mine– they say to me– Nick you are loopy– I just smile, hey Mac! Perhaps I am loopy.

Q) Not loopy– driven I would say Nick.

A) Well, thank you! I do realise that my age is against me in many ways. I guess people just don’t take guys my age seriously– they say “Hey, wait till you grow up a bit, boy.”

Q) What do you say to that?

A) I always just smile and say if I wait any longer — I’ll lose it!

Q) So when will “Rose Amongst the Thorns” hit the shelves and internet sites?

A) It’s with publishers right now and I’m waiting to hear back. There hasn’t been a single rejection yet of the new manuscript and I think they’re going to love it as much as we do. I guess it’s all a waiting game now.

Q) Well from what I’ve read– I love it and I hear the whole book has been described as Pulitzer worthy?

A) Aww, I don’t know about that! I just hope its book-binding worthy!

Mac) Thank you for your time Nick and I wish you every success.

Nick) Thank you, Mac!

We shook hands and with that it was over and he left. Nick Wale, a guy with drive and ambition, was gone and all I have to say is– good luck to him and thanks for the record. This is a guy to watch! We will be seeing a lot more of him, I’m sure!

Nick enjoying the Darin disc.