Five minutes with… Nicola Knight
- flora183
- Aug 26
- 3 min read
Your first book, “The Night Before Christmas” was set in an animal sanctuary. How did you research that?
They say 'write what you know' and in my case this was literally true as I have worked at a horse welfare charity for more than twenty years and I have a dear aunt who rescues cats so there wasn't a great deal of research involved. Any excuse to feature cats, dogs, horses or donkeys and I'm there.
‘Washed up’ is set on the tiny Channel Island of Herm. Had you visited it before you decided to write the book, or did you decide to set it there and then go and visit? How many times have you been?
Herm holds a very special place in my heart. I've been visiting since I was a child with my family, every time we holiday to Guernsey we do the day trip to Herm from St Peter Port and it's always my favourite part of the holiday. I've been around ten times or more but it wasn't until we visited last year that I had the idea to set a book on the island. There's something about tiny communities and how they operate that really appealed to me as a writer. Plus it's gorgeous!
What’s your favourite thing about Herm?
Everything. It's heavenly. If you're going to force me to choose I'd say don't miss walking the south coast cliff path where you can spot puffins, finishing at Belvoir Bay for an ice cream, and then on to the absolutely stunning Shell Beach which is like something from the Caribbean, and has no place being in the English Channel, frankly.
You don’t write ‘Christian books’ but your faith is very important to you. How is this mirrored in your writing?
Yes I've been a Christian since I was 11 years old, almost as long as I've wanted to be a writer. I always knew I wanted to write mainstream fiction, which is a hard balance especially at the moment, as there's quite a lot of push in the romance world towards extra spice, for example, which wouldn't be right for me. Besides which I have found there are lots of readers out there who still want to use their imagination! I try to work to a Christian worldview and there are references to God and to prayer but my books are not overtly Christian.
Where do you write?
Anywhere and everywhere! I have a desk but as it's also the place where I do my day job I don't always want to stay there when I switch to writing. My actual favourite place to work is in bed which plays havoc with the spine but for some reason being cosy and covered in cats helps me think.
What’s your favourite writing snack?
My all-time favourite is an M&S iced and spiced fruit bun. If I say that will I get some free, do you think? But I actually will eat anything in the house especially if I'm in the middle of edits. Anything to avoid the page for a few more seconds.
What was the last book you read?
Romantic Hero by Kirsty Greenwood, a lovely twist on the fake dating trope.
What happened last time your husband tried to surprise you?
Coming home from a holiday to find my husband had sent me anniversary flowers even though we absolutely positively definitely agreed not to buy each other anything. Very sweet of him but also now I feel terrible :D
What’s your proudest moment as a writer?
Seeing a book published and out in the world is always a proud moment, but seeing Washed Up in the Guernsey Press and having local people on Guernsey and Herm tell me they loved it, that's been really special. My favourite moment so far, though, was when a reader told me they have booked a holiday to Herm on the back of reading it!
When did you last mean Flora?
Flora and I were both nominated for Debut of the Year at the Romance Novel Awards last year and we had a wonderful evening at the awards ceremony. Since then the 'Debuts' as we called ourselves have been supporting each other's work and generally being each other's cheerleader which is just a great example of how supportive the author community is.
Nicola Knight has published three seasonal romantic comedies with Bloodhound Books, the most recent a summer romance set in the Channel Islands. In her day job she is Head of Communications at Redwings, one of the UK's largest horse rescue charities. She lives in South Norfolk with her husband, young daughter and three cats.
Washed Up, a fresh, feel-good opposites-attract romance about unlikely connections and unexpected love, perfect for fans of Emily Henry and Paige Toon, is out now https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0H4XF8Z7C
IG and Threads: @nicolaknightwrites
TikTok: @nicolakwrites
Facebook: Nicola Knight - Author
