Novel Kicks Chats To… Nova García

Published September 9, 2024 | By Laura

Hello Nova, thank you so much for joining me today. Can you tell me about your novel, Not That Kind of Call Girl and what inspired it?

Not That Kind of Call Girl is in many ways, my personal story. It’s about a young newspaper call center manager with post-partum depression juggling a colicky newborn, a meddling mother and a skirt-chasing boss while working, undercover, to untangle a vulnerable employee’s mysterious relationship with a Hollywood icon. Saving the employee part is the fiction, but the rest mirrors my life.

My mission in writing this novel was three-fold. (1) Tell a highly relatable & humorous story about a woman experiencing post-partum depression so those who’ve been through it know they’re not alone and open the gate for conversation. (2) Make the protagonist, Julia, a Latina. Latinos make up 19% of the U.S. population according to the 2023 U.S. Census, and yet, we aren’t featured much as primary characters in the literary industry. While the lack of representation is improving , there’s still a long way to go. (3) Shed light on an injustice most often inflicted on powerless women, that isn’t often in the public consciousness.

What are the challenges you found when writing your novel?

When I first wrote the book, I loved it and couldn’t wait to find an agent to represent me. The trouble was, after more than a hundred tries, no one offered me a contract. Yes, more than a hundred! Dejected, I put the book away for three years then started up again. I felt connected to my lead character (probably because she and I are one and the same), so I kept her, deleted every chapter but one and started again. Luckily, The Wild Rose Press offered me a contract the second go around. So, what was the challenge? Staying motivated after a staggering number of no’s and no responses.

What’s your typical writing day like? Do you have a favourite writing spot and any daily writing rituals?

I really should follow a schedule, but I don’t. I write when the mood strikes. Sometimes, I’ll go a month or more between writing stints which gives my brain time to recoup. If my head’s not in the game, there’s no sense in sitting down and staring at my computer. I do my writing in a home office, but admittedly, our two little dogs distract me from time to time with their need for attention, which I happily oblige.

What songs would make up a playlist for your book?

Julia, the protagonist, reflects back to a time before her father passed. He would play guitar and the two would sing old-fashioned Mexican songs. My Dad and I did the same. Our favorite songs were Cielito Lindo, Perfidia, Solamente Una Vez, El Reloj, La Malagueña and the birthday song, Las Mañanitas.

Here’s my keyboard. You can tell which keys I hit most often by how much they’ve disappeared from view!

From idea to finished book, what’s your writing process like and how long does it typically take you?

Oh goodness, I am not a fast writer. My first two novels, young adult historical fictions, took 4 and 2 years to write, respectively. I was working full-time and raising 3 kids then, so that dramatically affected things. With Not That Kind of Call Girl, it took about a year to write the first manuscript. Then, after my failure at securing a contract, I put it away for three years. When I started up again, it took another two years to re-write it.

What’s the most surprising thing you’ve discovered since you’ve started writing?

That I can actually write fiction! When I first started, I convinced myself that I wasn’t creative enough to write a book, plus, I didn’t have much no-how. Taking classes and attending conferences helped. So, when I published my first book and it went on to win numerous awards, I was shocked. I can actually write (!), and I’m more creative than I gave myself credit for.

What are you currently working on?

I’ve started a sequel to Not That Kind of Call Girl, but right now, I’m mostly working on marketing. Not That Kind of Call Girl could be the best book around, but if people don’t know about it, they won’t read it.

Which book have you read (that you didn’t write) that you wish you could forget, just so you could discover it again?

Bridget Jones’s Diary by Helen Fielding. I adored that book. It made me laugh so hard, spit flew out of my mouth, while on an airplane! The sequel, The Edge of Reason was also hysterical. I love the first movie with Renee Zelleweger, too. I’ve watched it far too many times.

How do you approach the editing process?

Sometimes it seems like I edit as much as I write. I write, edit, write, edit, ad nauseum. Many successful authors say to keep writing until the manuscript is done, THEN start editing. I need to try that approach.

What type of scene do you find it hardest to write?

I wanted this book to be laugh-out-loud funny and some days, I just didn’t feel funny. When that happened, I stopped writing and came back later. There are some heavy topics in this book, so balancing the heaviness with the humor was tricky.

Would you rather –

Have the ability to see into the future or be able to visit the past?

I’d like to visit the past for sure. Relatives who’ve passed away–I want to see them again and talk about things we never got around to discussing. My grandmother’s experiences during The Mexican Revolution would be at the top of my list.

Have the ability to move things with your mind or read minds?

Move things with my mind. I don’t want to know what people are thinking–that could be dangerous.

Sing or dance to your favourite song for the rest of your life?

I LOVE singing AND dancing. I was in a band for years as a vocalist, so maybe singing to my favorite song? Gah! I’d want to dance, too. Most likely to something funky from back in the day.

Have money or power?

Power doesn’t interest me. Money…who doesn’t want more? Not that I’m greedy or anything.

Have an endless summer or winter?

Summer in the Pacific Northwest are glorious. Summer for sure.

Tea or coffee?

Coffee with cream and sugar–I have a sweet tooth.

Movie or book?

Don’t make me pick.

Morning person or night owl?

I used to be a night owl, but lately, I’m waking up and popping out of bed early. Not sure why my body clock is flipping on me.

Paperback or eBook?

Paperback, most definitely. I like the feel of it in my hands.

About Nova García –

Nova García hails from Laredo, Texas.

Her career took a few turns, from call center management and nonprofit leadership to Human Resources training and development.

Not That Kind of Call Girl is her first book in the women’s fiction genre. She writes to dispel Latino stereotypes and recognize women for the everyday miracles they make possible with determination, smarts and a generous helping of kick-a** attitude. Like her novel’s protagonist, she knows postpartum depression first-hand and wants women around the world to know they’re not alone.

Besides writing, Nova spends time in the kitchen cooking and baking for her family. She is available for book club talks and public speaking engagements.

Say hello to Nova via her website, Facebook and Instagram.

*****

About Not That Kind of Call Girl –

Julia Navarro, a plucky newspaper call center manager, juggles like a pro—not tennis balls but quirky employees, cranky customers, and a sleazy boss. Pregnant and short on time to complete her “get ready for baby checklist,” Julia rushes to fill a job vacancy by hiring Carmen Cooper, a shy, inexperienced college student.

When Julia finds out Carmen never made it to work, she and a newsroom pal go undercover to find out why. Their shocking discovery leads them to cook up a half-baked plan to save Carmen from a Hollywood legend turned hermit, a man she calls “Papa.”

Will the gamble pay off or pave a path of twists, turns, and tragedy?

Not That Kind of Call Girl was released in June 2024. Click to buy on Amazon UK, Amazon US and Waterstones.