FATAL CODE - Natalie Walters - One Free Book

Welcome, Natalie. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters. Ooh, well, I think it depends on the character. In Silent Shadows, my character Pecca Gallegos’ past tied into my own. Often my characters are working through an internal question, issue, belief that I have as well, or someone close to me has, and I use that to really deepen their perspective.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done? Like ever? Hmm, I’m pretty notorious for breaking out into dance moves in public locations if there’s a great song playing—much to the embarrassment of my kids. I also convinced fourteen of my family members to dress up like pirates and go to Disney World for their Halloween party.

When did you first discover that you were a writer? I’ve always journaled. Writing my thoughts and feelings is great therapy and I’ve kept all of my journals and am still deciding whether to burn them before I die or pass them to my kids…

I first tried my hand at writing my senior year of high school, studying the craft of authors and then nearly two decades later, decided I would like to try writing stories and so, I did.

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading. I love reading contemporary romance, romcom, political thrillers and espionage, mysteries, historicals, split time, and I have tried a few fantasy stories that were recommended to me and were fantastic. I’m a bit of a mood reader, or at least I’ve become one as my time is limited, but I’ll read pretty much anything that’s written well.

How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world? Am I the only one who wakes up on January 1st and already feels behind? Honestly, this is something I’m still working on. It’s so hard because there’s always pressure to keep up and I always feel so woefully behind on everything that it only compounds the pressure. My best attempt at this is to literally put my phone down, turn my computer off, and be 100% present in the world, with my family, living life. It’s not easy. I’m really bad at catching those really great shots of family time so I can share on social media but I don’t let the guilt get to me because I was living in the moment and that’s ultimately what matters and helps me stay sane.

How do you choose your characters’ names? This is the hardest part of my writing. Truly. Naming characters is the thing that will pull me out of a rough draft faster than a screaming child needing my help. There are times when I already know my character and their name, for example: Pecca Gallegos, Lane Kent, Kekoa Young. But for the most part I have some friends who are at the ready when I need a name, or (and this just happened this weekend) I’ll meet someone with a name that stands out and I’m like, “Yep, I’m going to use that one in a story one day.” Reuben Jones in Initium is one such example.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of? Raising my kids into decent adults. They are kind, compassionate, love each other, generous, hard-working, and just fantastic human beings to be around. There were many, many, many, times when I wasn’t so sure that was going to be the case! LOL

If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why? When I was kid I wanted to be a horse but I think that was because I wanted a horse. If I had to choose now, maybe a dolphin because I love the ocean, or a sea otter because they’re so cute and they hold hands with their favorite otter friends.

What is your favorite food? Mediterranean food. 

What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it? Shutting off my inner critic and editor. There are days when I stare at my computer screen frustrated and overwhelmed that everything I’m typing (if I can even get words out) is just rubbish. I question everything! I literally have to take a breath and tell myself it’s okay that first (or fifth or seventeenth) attempts don’t need to be perfect. I still struggle with this but I find there are days when it’s easier to let myself enjoy the creativity of writing for the joy of story.

Tell us about the featured book. Fatal Code is about my Hawaiian cryptologist, Kekoa Young, who finds himself monitoring his cute, super smart, science loving neighbor, Elinor Mitchell, for fear she has the recipe for a nuclear weapon being sought by America’s enemies. I had a lot of fun incorporating some of my husband’s Hawaiian culture in this larger-than-life character and revealing a bit of my own inner nerd through Elinor. There are secret messages, ciphers, and just some really great banter that made this a fun story to write.

How can readers find you on the Internet? I LOVE connecting with readers through my Instagram and Facebook pages, and can sign up for my newsletter to stay up-to-date on my books, giveaways, and insider secrets at www.nataliewalterswriter.com

Thank you Natalie, for sharing this book with my blog readers and me. It sounds like a wonderful read.

Readers, here’s a link to the book.

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=fatal+code+natalie+walters&i=stripbooks&crid=2FOD2UWW2H86B&sprefix=Fatal+Code%2Cstripbooks%2C624&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_1_10

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